Chaos & the Geek (Grace Grayson Security #1) - Elizabeth Stevens Page 0,34
hand over mine and I really felt like it was one of those kiss the girl moments. But that wasn’t what I wanted this moment to be. It was more than that.
“You’re better to me than I deserve,” I told her softly.
“No. I just know you better than I should.” But she smiled too before she turned away slowly, and we ate breakfast while we chatted.
It was nice. In fact, it was really nice. It was even nice enough that I stopped torturing myself with that imagined first kiss over and over again. For most minutes in the hour.
****
I looked at the centre screen in my car as though I could see them. “We serious right now?”
“Yeah. Let’s call McLean and see if we can get a table. Take her out properly,” Tank said.
“You’ve never done Champers Day. How would you know what’s proper?” Rollie asked.
I pictured Tank shrugging. “Why can’t we make our own Champers Day?”
“I think she’d like it,” Nico said, and I pictured him behind his screen as usual.
I wondered exactly what they’d talk about. He’d all but said they’d got on. Now I wondered exactly how well they’d got on.
“Why don’t we all suit up, take her out, and make her feel super special?” Hawk said.
“Small problem. What’s she going to wear?” I asked as I pulled up at the lights.
“Exactly what are you saying about my little sister, man?” Hawk laughed.
“I’m just wondering how many evening gowns she’s got at the back of her closet.”
“I’ll call Petra, get her to open. You take her tonight and pick something for Sunday?”
“Who’s calling McLean?” I asked.
“I’m on it,” Tank said.
I nodded as the traffic kept moving. “Okay. Ask him if he’s got that table–”
“He’s gone,” Rollie sniggered. “McLean’s already looking for a table, I’ll bet.”
I nodded as I turned into the Mayhew’s parking garage. “Yeah. All right. Let me know if we’ve got the table. If he needs reminding about that time we–”
“It’s fine. We’ve got his best table all Sunday night,” Tank called, sounding like he was on the other side of the room.
“Okay. And…?”
“Petra’s open until you need her,” Hawk called.
“Okay. We’re doing this. Black tie, boys?” I asked.
“Yep,” they all chorused.
“Okay. You’ll all be at the penthouse in the morning?”
“Operation Save Bert’s Shit is a go from 0800,” Hawk replied.
“All right. Take the night off, you wankers. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sounds good, boss-man,” Rollie said and they hung up on me.
I turned off the car and headed up the lift. Thankfully, Mrs Fortescue had had a falling out with Mrs Barry and decided not to go to whatever gala I’d been supposed to take her to.
“Night, Mr Grayson.”
I nodded. “Night, Nigel.” As I stepped into the penthouse, I looked around. “Amber?”
“Yeah?” she called from the direction of her room.
“You dressed?”
“Uh, odd question. But yes.”
I headed down to her room and leant in her doorway to find her looking for something in her drawer.
“Come on, we’re heading out.”
She looked up at me in surprise. “What? Why?”
I nodded. “I just need to change, then we need to get a move on.”
She blinked. “What should I…? Wait, aren’t you working?”
I shook my head and started moving to my room. “My job was cancelled. We’re going out, but we need to make a stop first.”
“Uh, okay… Do I need to change?” she asked, following me.
I shook my head as I loosened my tie. “No. It’ll be fine. Give me two minutes.”
I threw a look back to her and saw her nodding. “Uh. Okay.”
It didn’t take me long to swap my suit for some jeans and a hoody to match hers.
“Are you sure I’m–”
I nodded as I pushed up my sleeves. “Perfect. Come on.”
I strode out and she hurried along behind me. When the lift came back, Nigel was obviously surprised.
“Mr Grayson.” He nodded.
“Nigel. This is Miss Grace.”
Nigel smiled to Amber. “Miss Grace.
“Hi,” she said to him, then her hand was on my arm. “Do I need to know where we’re going?”
I shook my head and gave her a small smile. “No. You’re fine. I promise.”
I watched her nod and she pulled away.
I took her elbow as we crossed the lobby.
“Oh, Miss Grace. Wonderful to see you!” the old guy at the door called.
“You too, Johnson,” she replied as we wandered past.
“How do you know him? I didn’t think you’d left?”
“I haven’t. But he was the one who found me standing in the rain and said I could call Pat from the foyer.”