Three hours later, she met her friends Miranda, Chelsea, and Brok for breakfast in town at Café Latte. She didn't know what they had been talking about before she arrived, but now, they were talking about the trip to the lakehouse they had been planning. During their conversation, a waiter came over to take their order. She ordered a black hot coffee with sugar on the side, as well as a french toast bagel with brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese. Brok nudged her with his shoulder, giving her a wink. "We heard about your mate situation. Congratulations." Grace stirred two packets of pure cane sugar into her coffee before taking a sip. News did indeed travel quickly. She was not surprised. "Is he coming with us when we leave for the lakehouse tonight?"
Oh, crap. She had completely forgotten that they were leaving tonight and that they wouldn't be back until Tuesday. The plan had been to go for the long weekend since Memorial Day was on Monday. The town the lakehouse was in had a Memorial Day block party, followed by fireworks once the sun went down. It was why they were going. She needed this. They all did. "I haven't mentioned it to him. but he knows I'm going." Brok nodded, taking in her statement. "You should ask him to come." She had thought about asking him to go with her. But they had, after all, just met. Would he go? Would he turn her down? "What if he says no?" Brok chuckled. "If he really wants to be with you, his wolf won't allow him to stay away."
She had not thought about that, but she knew that Brok was right. Anytime he saw her, he couldn't keep himself away. Taking the last bite of her food and finishing her coffee, she ordered another to go before leaving to find Rhys. "I'll meet you guys at the rendevue point in Cedar Creek." Brok gave her wrist a good squeeze before letting her go. She left the coffee shop and walked to her car. Halfway to where she had parked, she sensed someone following her. When she could feel that they were right behind her, she spun around. "Whoa!" Rhys put his hands up in mock surrender. "Easy tiger!" She relaxed when she saw him. "What are you doing here?"
His smile faded when he saw the genuine fear in her eyes. "I'm sorry." He said softly. "I didn't mean to scare you." He took a breath and looked around. "I came across the paperwork for your trip. I wanted to see you before you left and happened to see you coming out of the café." She felt relief wash through her. "Funny. I was actually coming to find you about that." His smile came back. "I was going to ask if you wanted to come." Rhys' smile widened. "You want me to come?" She smiled. "Yeah. but we're leaving at four. I have to head home and pack." Rhys nodded, sight hugs have down in his pockets. "I can have your brother step in for me while we're gone." He said. "I'll have to handle a couple of things, but I'll pick you up at three."
~ * ~ * ~
Around two-thirty, she heard a car pull into the gravel driveway, followed by a car horn. It was Rhys. She had just finished packing, leaving her suitcase and bag at the bottom of the stairs so she could get the door. Upon opening it, Rhys smiled at her. "Hey. Are you ready?" She took a deep breath, turning to look back inside. She absently rubbed at her shoulder, her mind drawn towards thinking about anything she might be forgetting. But there wasn't anything she could think of. "Grace?" He crossed the front porch until he was right in front of her. His eyes held a hint of concern. "What's wrong?" She shook her head, not exactly sure what to say. "You're rubbing at your shoulder. Did you hurt yourself?" She couldn't remember having done anything, so she shook her head again. "I have everything I need in the truck," He said. "Do you have everything?" She nodded, motioning towards the stairs inside. "My bags are at the bottom of the stairs. I just need to grab them."
A few minutes later, Grace sat in the passenger seat of Rhys' Truck, listening to the radio when her phone rang. It was Miranda. "Hey, Minnie." Miranda laughed on the other end of the line. "Do you guys have room for an extra passenger? Brok had a few things to take care of before he left." She looked over at Rhys, and he nodded. "We are on our way. We'll be there soon." After picking her up, they started off for the rendevue point in Cedar Creek. On the way, Grace and Miranda were talking about the beach trip they bag taken two weeks ago. "Do you remember those guys at the beach who got under your skin? What was it you said to them?" Grace groaned, putting a hand over her eyes as she started laughing. "Something seriously inappropriate."
Rhys looked at her, genuinely curious. "Who was it?" She looked at him and smiled. "Just a couple of guys from the delta force team." Rhys chuckled. "Let me guess....Tyler, William, and Nathan?" Miranda laughed. "So, what did you say to them?" With a smile, Grace looked back at Miranda. "If I had a dick, this is where I'd tell you to suck it." Rhys shook his head, laughing. "You are just full of surprises." the conversation continued until they reached the place they needed to be. "Horsefeathers." Rhys said thoughtfully. "Funny name for a restaurant." Grace turned to Miranda. "Go see if the others are here. We'll meet you inside." Rhys looked confused, leaning against the door of the truck next to her.
"Are you okay." She nodded, running her finger over the zipper of his jacket. He took her hand in his, his amber eyes never leaving hers. He could feel what she felt. A mix of anxiety, fear, longing, and concern. "Grace." He said softly. He pulled her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist."No interruptions this time." He whispered. The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers. Fireworks ran through er, and her stomach turned to butterflies. She tilted her head back and rested her hands on his chest. The kiss was gentle, almost hesitant. But it was warm, and me her feel good inside. He pulled her closer, resting a hand at the back of her head.
when he pulled away a minute later, he rested his forehead on hers. "Wow." He breathed. Lifting her head, she looked at him. He smiled at her, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "So much better than I had expected." Miranda came out of the restaurant, stopping when she saw them. "Hey, lovebirds! Everyone is waiting." With a chuckle, Rhys let go of her and you a step back. "We should go."