“Why do you think it’s time you moved in?” He asked as if it was a cross examination and Royce’s instincts reared enough for him to be wary.
“Well…” His eyes swept upward. He didn’t want to share his suspicions about “Sam” with Grant and give him more reasons to worry. “It would make it easier for me to observe Sam and the Lees and keep a closer eye on you and Audrey,” he offered carefully and Grant nodded.
“So, you’re not moving in because you want to spend more time with me?” He countered, stopping Royce in his tracks.
“Grant…” He started but Grant held up a hand.
“I can’t forget that you’re here to do a job and that this isn’t real. I don’t know what’s going to happen when it’s over so I’ve got to do what I can to minimize the damage,” he said then cleared his throat. “In fact, I think it might be a good idea if Audrey stayed with Marcy for a while,” he added and Royce’s brows pulled together.
“Are you worried she won’t be safe with me here?” Royce asked. His chest tightened and his stomach sank as he watched Grant. “I would never hurt her. I… I adore her and I think she’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met,” he insisted and Grant shook his head quickly as he shushed him.
“No. I trust you with Audrey. Completely,” he stated and Royce went limp with relief. “But I don’t like the idea of you and Sam starting some spy feud with her here so I’ll tell her to stay at Marcy’s until this calms down.”
“If you think that’s best,” Royce said nonchalantly but he didn’t think it was a bad idea, until he had a handle on the situation with “Sam’. “I’d spend all my time with you if I could, Grant, but I do need to figure out what’s going on with the Lees. I’d also like to get Sam out of Hopkins Creek as soon as possible.”
“Why can’t we just ask the Lees?” Grant whispered urgently. “I trust Drew and Sally and I think they’d tell me the truth,” he said and Royce’s face twisted.
“First of all, they’re not going to tell you if they’re engaging in high-level espionage or planning something dangerous.”
“They’re not,” Grant insisted. Royce hissed as he pushed a hand through his hair.
“I don’t think so either. I’ve had my eye on them while I’ve been here and I set up a few cameras and I haven’t seen anything remotely suspicious until Sam showed up,” he stated and Grant’s jaw fell.
“Cameras?” He asked loudly and Royce waved for him to keep it down as he leaned and stretched his neck. He listened for any sign that Audrey might be awake and on her way down for breakfast. The siren scent of bacon, muffins and pancakes had to have reached her room.
“Just watching the outside of the house, for when I’m not here or I’m too preoccupied,” Royce said and Grant relaxed slightly.
“The Lees are really, really good people and I’d like to keep them as friends and neighbors. We’ve looked out for each other over the years,” he said. Royce grinned as he stepped closer and tipped Grant’s chin back.
“I believe you and I trust your judgement,” he whispered as his head tilted.
“Thank you,” Grant said faintly and leaned in just slightly as his hand tentatively settled on Royce’s chest.
“I’ll do whatever I can to protect them, if we’re right about the Lees,” Royce added and he felt six inches taller as Grant’s eyes lit up and a soft laugh slipped from his lips.
“I know we are!” He whispered then pressed his lips to Royce’s. Grant’s fingers twisted in the front of Royce’s t-shirt and a weak moan fluttered in his throat. Grant’s tongue flicked cautiously and Royce felt it in his sack. His hands spread as they slid around Grant and gripped at his back as he danced him into the pantry.
“Breakfast smells amazing,” Audrey mumbled drowsily as she shuffled into the kitchen.
“I found the syrup!” Royce said loudly and held Grant up when his legs threatened to give out. Royce swiped the syrup off the shelf and pushed it into Grant’s hand then turned him. Grant blinked down at it then stumbled toward the table as Audrey ground her palm into her eye.
“I think I saw you two making out,” Audrey said as she poured juice into her glass. “You don’t have to stop because I’m here,” she added absently. Her fork hovered over the table while she decided where she wanted to begin. “You didn’t have to get up and cook all of this. I could have fed myself while you slept in,” she said. Grant slid Royce a loaded look as they joined her.
“I’m glad you’re here this morning but I think it might be a good idea for you to stay with Marcy until this blows over,” Grant told Audrey and a wide, knowing smile stretched across her face as her eyes flicked back and forth between him and Royce.
“Sure. I can hang out at Aunt Marcy’s until things calm down,” she said then winked.
“No! Not because of…” Grant started and Royce stopped him.
“We’ve had a concerning development with the Lees and your father would feel better if you stayed at Marcy’s until we know what’s going on.”
“What kind of development?” Audrey asked warily but Royce held up a hand.
“I’m working on it and I really don’t think it’s big deal,” he lied. He had a feeling “Sam” was a very big deal but Royce didn’t think the Weatherlys were in any danger. “Your dad is just being cautious and I don’t see the harm, if it makes him feel better and you don’t mind,” he said soothingly. Grant offered him a grateful smile as he and Audrey relaxed. She shrugged as she reached for another piece of bacon.
“That’s cool. I’ll just tell everyone I wanted to give you two more privacy and that it’s getting awkward, with all the kissing and goo-goo eyes going on,” she said before she chomped on her bacon. Grant looked horrified.
“Do not do that,” he stated as he pointed at her and she wrinkled her nose.
“I’ve kind of been doing that already. Why do you think Ashley’s mom has been letting me live over there this summer?” She said. Grant groaned as he slid lower in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. Audrey cleared her throat softly as she put down her bacon then fidgeted with her napkin nervously. Royce’s brows rose as she cast a quick glance at Grant. “There’s something important I needed to ask you, though,” she began and Grant’s head snapped up and he became alert.
“What is it, Jelly Bean?” He asked. Royce coughed softly as he set down his mug.
“Would you like me to give you a few minutes?” He said but Audrey shook her head quickly.
“Could you stay?” She asked and Grant looked concerned as he leaned forward.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing bad!” She promised but she squeezed her hands into little fists the way Grant did when he was anxious or upset.
“It’s best to just get it over with,” Royce murmured and she pulled in a reinforcing breath as she looked at Grant.
“Someone asked me out on a date and I’d like to go. Tonight,” she added and Grant blinked rapidly then began nodding.