“I do! It makes me feel glamorous. I’ll freeze my ass off during the shoot, but it’ll be worth it. Tara said we should get killer pictures with the moonlight.”
“I can’t wait to see them. Between that and the company Leni hooked you up with, you’re going to be richer than your parents soon.” Leni had connected Bellamy with a fitness company that was paying her almost a thousand dollars per post to model their clothes on social media. “Your family will be thrilled to hear that reality television is off your radar.”
“It’s not yet. Don’t count your chickens, right?”
“I guess, but it sure seems like you’re going places. Just don’t go too far. I’ll be bummed if you move away.”
“I have no interest in moving.” Bellamy tossed the glue gun into a box. “Traveling, maybe, but not moving.”
“Good.” Jules put the last of the supplies in the box. “I hope your parents like the centerpiece I made for them.” She’d made gifts for Grant, his parents, and her parents. For the Silvers, she’d filled the wide grooves of two gorgeous pieces of driftwood with orange, gold, and maroon glass beads, added a few pretty seashells, secured pretty votive candles along the tops, and added a few sprays of gold glitter to the wood to reflect the flames of the candles. They were pretty and beachy with a touch of elegance.
“They’ll love it, and Grant will love the gift you made for him, too.”
“I sure hope so.” She glanced at the decorative glass bowl she’d filled with sand and the seashells she and Grant had picked up on the beach yesterday afternoon when they’d bundled up and taken a walk after eating lunch on the deck of the Bistro. It had been cold and windy, but neither one had cared. They’d cuddled and tossed around names for the foundation Grant was putting together. They hadn’t come up with the perfect name yet, but she knew they would. Grant had found a heart-shaped rock and had given it to her. It’s a sign, Pix. The universe must know that my heart belongs to you. She’d melted inside despite the cold weather, and when she’d returned to work, Bellamy had said she looked blissed out and she didn’t want to know why. But she shared that intimate moment with her bestie, and she’d swooned a little more.
She’d put that heart-shaped rock in the bowl with the other shells and had added a fall-colored candle in the middle and a tiny plastic fairy lying in the sand on her stomach, leaning on her palm, gazing at a painter who was standing before a tiny plastic easel. She’d wanted to write I love you in the sand with rocks or shells. But she didn’t want to be the first to say it, and she worried it might be too much too fast for Grant, even though she could feel his love for her in everything he did. He was meeting her in a few minutes. He was bringing his crutches, and they were going to stay at her place tonight, but she was already second-guessing that decision. She didn’t like the idea of leaving Crash alone all night.
“Earth to Jules.” Bellamy waved her hand, drawing Jules back to their conversation.
“Sorry.”
“Daydreaming about my brother again?”
“Guilty.” She was so proud of Grant for everything he was taking on and for opening up about his family more. He’d sounded more hopeful and less angry about that situation since Sunday. He still hadn’t made any decisions about taking a paternity test, but she could feel a difference in him.
Bellamy sighed. “I can’t wait to feel that for someone.” She picked up the box of crafting supplies, and Jules grabbed the other box, and they headed for the stockroom. “My brother is like a whole different person since you two got together. Sunday night after you guys left, you were all my family could talk about. Keira told me that she couldn’t think of a better match than you for Grant, and you know how protective she is of him.”
“Protective? Grant said she always gives him a hard time.”
“Yeah, but that’s just her way of showing she cares.”
They put away the supplies, and as Jules turned off the lights in the stockroom, the bells chimed above the front door. Grant strode in, his eyes blazing straight to her, sending her heart into an excited flurry. He was carrying a bag from Trista’s café and a backpack over his shoulder.
“Hey, gorgeous. Hi, Bells.”
“And here I was thinking I was the gorgeous one,” Bellamy teased. “I’m taking off. See you guys tomorrow for Thanksgiving.”
“Wait a sec, Bell.” Grant narrowed his eyes. “Fitz said you were taking pictures with Tara tonight at the bluffs. He’s going to meet you over there.”
“Why?” Bellamy asked, annoyed.
“Because we don’t want you to accidentally fall off the bluff when you’re trying to get the perfect picture. Don’t you read the news? Influencers die all the time taking risks they shouldn’t just to get the best pictures.”
Bellamy rolled her eyes and grabbed her jacket from the counter. “I’m not stupid, Grant, and neither is Tara. We’d never do anything dangerous.”
“Good, but Fitz will still meet you there.”
Bellamy zipped her coat, glowering at him. “How did he even know we were going to the bluffs?”
“It’s a small island. Have fun, and be safe,” Grant said.
“Yeah, me, Tara, and Fitz. That should squash my sexy mojo for the pictures. See you guys tomorrow. Don’t forget to arrive early at Mom’s to decorate the Christmas tree.”
“We will!” Jules called after her.
As Bellamy headed out the door, Grant leaned in for a kiss. “How’s my girl? How’d your class go?”
“It was great. Let me show you what I made for our parents.” She led him over to the centerpieces.
“That’s beautiful, Pix. They’ll love them.”
“I hope so.” She picked up the gift she’d made for him. “And I made this for you. I thought it might look nice in your studio or on the island, but we’d have to move it when we eat. You could also put it on the counter, or your end table. Wherever you want, really.”
He chuckled and admired the gift. His expression turned thoughtful. “Babe, you used our heart rock.”
“I’m not giving it back,” she clarified. “I still stake a claim to your heart.”
He laughed and pulled her into a kiss. “Thank you. I love it.”
“I’m glad.” She glanced at the bag he was holding. “Did you bring dinner from Trista’s?”
“I might have picked up seven or eight things, you know, in case we weren’t hungry for the first thing I chose.”
“Have I told you lately how amazing you are?” she asked, moving closer and kissing him.
“I’d rather you show me,” he said heatedly.
They’d just made love that morning, and her body was already craving more. “Maybe I will, but first I have something to show you. Come into my office.”
“I like where this is heading,” he said in a low voice. “Shouldn’t we lock the front door?”
“No, because you’re not getting me naked on my desk.” A thrill ran through her as she said it. Every time he met her for lunch or dinner, they ended up making out in her office, and every single time, he’d say something like, One of these days, we’re going to christen that desk. But Bellamy was usually working, and she wasn’t going to take a chance of her interrupting them. Talk about embarrassing.