Grace (The Family Simon #5)- Juliana Stone Page 0,6

who looks like Sasquatch gave birth to a guy who…”

Shit. Now his grin wouldn’t go away.

“A guy who…” He prompted.

“A guy who doesn’t look like Sasquatch.” No way was she feeding into his ego. Josh Hayden knew exactly how good looking he was.

Grace peered ahead, looking for the hotel. It should be just around the corner.

“Hey what’s that place?”

Grace followed his gaze and spied a smallish plaza on her right. There were several stores that she could see—a weight loss clinic, a health food store, and a pizza joint. There was also a large pub or restaurant, The Roadside Grill.

“Let’s stop in for some food. I’m freaking starving.”

She shook her head. All she wanted was a hot shower, two extra strength tablets for her headache, and a bed. Kind of sad considering it was eight o’clock on a Friday night, and she was only a few weeks shy of her twenty-sixth birthday. When had her life become so incredibly lame?

“Come on,” Josh coaxed. “You gotta be ready for some eats.”

Grace took her foot off the gas. She was hungry, and she was pretty damn sure the hotel wouldn’t be able to touch good pub food.

“I’ll even buy.” Josh slapped his thighs and whooped when she turned into the plaza.

“Down boy,” Grace said, unable to hide the smile creeping over her face.

“So that’s all it took.”

“Huh?” She found parking near the main door.

“Food.”

“Food,” she repeated, cutting the engine and turning to him with a frown.

“I’ve been trying to figure you out since you picked me up in New York.”

“Trust me. I’m not all that interesting.”

The snow was still falling and Grace swiped at a large snowflake that caught on her eyelashes. She tugged on her pink hoodie and slipped off her beanie, shaking out her long hair as she followed Josh into The Roadside Grill.

The place was nearly empty, most likely due to the snow, and Grace was fine with that. She spied a large man pouring beer for a couple guys at the bar—his handlebar mustache was something to behold. He nodded and returned to his customers. There were a few tables occupied but other than that, it was quiet.

A young girl appeared and directed them to a booth in the corner. Good. Grace liked the shadows and from this vantage point she could see the door. Josh slid across from her and immediately ordered two drafts and a plate of nachos.

“I might not be a fan of nachos,” she said, toying with her napkin.

“Of course you are,” Josh replied, flashing a million-dollar smile up at the waitress as she set down two mugs of beer.

Grace watched, amused as the woman’s cheeks deepened and she fussed with her notepad.

“Would you like anything else?” she asked, not taking her eyes from Josh.

“The nachos are fine for now,” Grace replied. “Can I have an extra container of guacamole?”

“Me too,” Josh said, digging into his draft.

“Sure.” The waitress toyed with her pen and smiled. “Just let me know if you need anything else.”

“Will do.” Grace smiled at her.

The girl took a step back and paused. “Are you…”

“I am,” Josh chuckled.

Her blush deepened. “So cool. I heard you might be coming to town for the fundraiser.”

He winked. “Make sure you come and say hi.”

She backed away, giggling like a schoolgirl and Grace watched her disappear into the kitchen.

“Impressive,” she said, taking a sip from her mug.

Josh’s eyebrow shot up. “Yeah?”

“I’d say it took no more than ten seconds for that girl to fall under your spell.”

He grinned. “So how long are you gonna take?”

Grace shook her head. “Nope. Not going there, Josh.”

“Come on,” he replied. “Give me a chance.” He leaned back and Grace was pretty sure his smile could melt most women’s panties. “You’re single. I’m single…”

She had to give it to him. He was one hell of a charmer.

“How do you know I’m single?”

Josh took a moment, his boyish smile near perfection. “Because no guy in their right mind would let his hot girlfriend head out to the middle of nowhere with someone like me.”

“Someone like you?” She laughed outright at that.

“I’ve been called irresistible.”

“Puh-lease.”

“Read it in a Sports Illustrated article. So you know, it must be true.”

“And that, Mr. Hayden, is the reason I don’t date athletes. You’re all full of yourselves.”

“Maybe.” There was that grin again. “But I’m right. You’re single.” He paused. “Your brother, Tucker, told me.”

Of course. Grace sighed. “Yes I’m single, but no I’m not interested.”

The waitress stopped by with their platter of nachos and two extra