Six Rules: Book Two in the SIX Series (14 page)

          
“Are you sure? That’s what you guys want?” the waitress
said, a little amused by our procedure.

          
“Yes, it will be wonderful. Thank you,” I said, still
staring directly at Greyson. The waitress walked away and I grimaced, a little
afraid I would end up with something gross.

          
“What if you don’t like what you get?” he asked, eyeing me
suspiciously.

          
“I’m an amiable girl, I can make do with whatever is in
front of me,” I answered confidently.

          
Greyson snickered, no doubt picking up on the double
meaning of what I just said.

          
“How many times have you been in love?” I asked him
bluntly. “Might as well get right to the good stuff,” I said shrugging.

          
“How many times have I really been in love? Or how many
girls have I said it to?” he asked for clarification.

          
“Oh, so you’re one of those guys,” I responded. “Let me
guess, they are two drastically different numbers?”

          
“Either two or five,” he said, not really specifying which
number was which.

          
“Care to elaborate on that? This is the part where you
tell me about it,” I said, staring straight at him.

          
“It was probably only serious twice. My first girlfriend
when I was eighteen. Yes, the first girl I kissed, I know that sounds dumb. But
she was the first girl to really make me see my potential. I don’t know, she
just really built up my confidence,” he replied.

          
“Great, so I have her to thank for that,” I said
sarcastically.

 
         
“I
wasn’t this cocky right off that relationship, but it was a start for me. I was
able to really connect with her, and with people from thereafter for that
matter. It was only a summer thing, then she went away to school. I thought we
were going to do the long-distance thing, but apparently her boyfriend away at
school didn’t appreciate that,” he said grimly. “I had no idea. I felt like an
idiot. I was so into her, and I really thought I loved her. So that was a bit
of a let down. The second girl was named Jacqueline. I was twenty-two. We were
together for about a year. I really thought she was
the
girl. My family
loved her, she was really fun, and we did everything together. I thought about
asking her to marry me, actually. I just wanted to wait a few more months until
we both graduated.”

          
I listened intently as Greyson spoke. He was really
putting it all out there, and I really appreciated it from him. I felt like he
was genuinely trying to open himself up to me in any way possible. “So what
happened?”

          
“Well, I don’t know. That’s the weird part. I thought
everything was great, but she just sat me down one night and told me it wasn’t
what she wanted. I never really got an answer out of her. She just said that
she wasn’t living the life she wanted and that was it. I was so crushed. I
really took it hard. I felt like I had no explanation for it, so I had a tough
time moving on after that. I think that’s when I gave up on finding the right
girl for me, and ended up going for all the wrong ones,” he said thoughtfully.

          
“The ‘damaged’ ones as you told me when we met?” I asked,
reminded of his previous comments about that.

          
“Exactly. I felt like I genuinely felt something for these
girls, and then I wasn’t good enough for them. Then I started dating all these
train wrecks, and it was different. I wasn’t afraid anymore that another girl
would just up and leave me, because I felt like they needed me more than I
needed them, if that makes sense. They would move in too soon because they didn’t
have another place to go. Things would move too fast.
 
I knew that giving them only half my effort was
better than all of the other losers they dated who completely mistreated them.
So I kind of just went through the motions. I told a few of them I loved them,
but more because I felt like that’s what
they
needed, rather than what I
needed if that makes sense,” he said, taking another sip of water. “That’s when
I met Brianna. Just another girl who needed someone ‘good enough,’ and I
figured that was enough to make a girl stick around. I know that makes no
sense. But I felt like I was genuinely helping them, saving them from their own
lives, so I justified it was the right thing to do. I was miserable though.”

          
“So when did all that change?” I asked, wondering how he
went from all that to be sitting here with me now. I didn’t seem to fit the
mold of all of these other crazies.

          
“Honestly, when she up and left right before the baby was
born, that was my breaking point. That really crushed me. I thought she would
stay because I was the better choice. Then I realized a lot of women aren’t in
a relationship because it’s the better choice. It’s just convenient for the
time being.”

          
“So why are you drawn to me? To go from all that to me?
I’m scared to ask,” I said honestly.

          
“That’s just it. I took a hiatus from dating. Literally, I
made an oath to Ben that I wouldn’t date anyone for a whole entire year. I was
so tired of all the bullshit. And then after that year, I don’t know. I felt
like I had a little more clarity on the whole thing. Like I figured out what I
did wrong in all of those relationships. I realized what I wanted to do
professionally, and I realized I just wanted something different for myself. I
realized I didn’t want to be with anyone who didn’t fit in with who I am and
what I want to do. I didn’t even date much after that year hiatus. I mean I
tried here and there, but I was busy starting up my business. All these women
were too needy for me, and I just didn’t have the time. I just never met anyone
I was sure about.”

          
At that moment, the waitress came to our table. She set
down a giant plate of steak and eggs in front of Greyson, and a small glass of
orange juice in front of me. She smiled and walked away. Greyson laughed and
picked up his silverware.

          
“Orange juice? I literally pointed to a glass of orange
juice and not an actual food item?” I said as my stomach growled.

          
“I know you said you would be completely satisfied by
whatever she brought you,” he said picking up his utensils, “but I would be
more than happy to share this with you if you’re too stubborn to just order
something else.”

          
“I’m not stubborn. Maybe this is all I wanted anyway,” I
said, picking up the orange juice and taking a sip. My face soured as the tart
juice hit my lips. Greyson smirked, and I knew he was enjoying this moment.

          
“Back to the question. As I eat my juice, I want to know.
Why me?” I asked him directly. “If you took all this time off from dating, why
on earth did you pursue me the moment I looked completely uninterested in you?”

          
“Oh man, here is truth time,” he responded, taking a bite
of his steak. He looked deep in thought as he ate, and he took a sip of his
water before explaining. “You know Michelle from Art Aeria, right? The
gallery?” he asked. I nodded my head. “Well, I met with her a couple times
before the event to go over the catering plans. She brought you up in
conversation and I was intrigued.”

          
“What did she say? That she knew a crazy girl who would be
totally into your immediate aggressive advances?” I remarked sarcastically. I
was interested in hearing the rest of this.

          
“Well she told me you were really pretty, for starters.
But even then I still imagined you as maybe a seven out of ten. Women are
always off on their judgment of other women. It seems like they always over
estimate. Anyway, she told me about your bakery, and I had actually heard about
it the week before from another customer of mine. Michelle wasn’t sure if you
were even dating anyone at the time so it’s not like she was trying to set us
up or anything. But the way she spoke about you, I don’t know. I was curious.
And then when you pulled up that day,” he said, shaking his head. He hesitated.

          
“What? I was feistier than you imagined?” I asked.

          
“Yes, but I really liked that about you. You were all
business, and I thought that was pretty sexy. Most women aren’t like that. And
you looked radiant. Something about you when you stepped out of your van, I
don’t know. Your personality was very direct, but all I could think was that
your skin looked soft, and the freckles under your eyes looked so innocent to
me. I just wanted to know you,” he said softly. “And you tried to look angry, I
mean maybe you
were
angry, but you also had a hint of a smile too. I
just felt compelled to get to know you. I wanted to do something to make you
happy with me, instead of pissed off.”

          
“Did you honestly think I would show up at the restaurant
that night?” I asked curiously.

          
“Oh man, do I have to answer that?” he replied, staring
back at me.

          
I nodded with a smirk, eager to hear his response.

          
“Yes. I really thought there was something there. I
thought there was some kind of spark. I thought it would be a good ‘how we met’
story. And then you didn’t show up that night, and I felt like an idiot.”

          
Greyson ate about half of his plate, then pushed it out in
front of him. “I’m so full, I couldn’t possibly eat another bite. I’m hoping
the waitress will just come and take this away, but it doesn’t look like this
place has great service, so it might sit here awhile.” He looked at me and
smirked, his eyes suggesting that I should just eat the food. I gave in and
slid the plate closer to me, grabbing a fork.

          
“I’m only eating this because I don’t like wasting food.
But don’t change the subject, keep going. I like this story, particularly this
part where you felt bad,” I mused, taking a bite of the steak. It tasted better
than it should have for diner steak, probably just because I was starving at
that point.

          
“Well, that’s it. I was pissed at myself for botching the
whole thing, but I didn’t know what else to do at that point. I actually drove
by your bakery the next day. But I couldn’t go in. I was too embarrassed.
Honestly, after that, I just wrote you off. I figured I ruined my chance and
that was that. And then when you walked into the bar that following weekend,”
he said, his voice trailing off. His eyes lit up as he spoke and this became my
favorite conversation I had with him since we met. He was more open and genuine
than he had ever been, and I appreciated him for it.

          
“The second I realized it was you sitting down at the bar,
I felt a surge through my whole body. It was crazy. I had a few drinks, so
maybe that was part of it. But I literally knew in that moment that I had to do
something
. I felt like I was given a second chance with you,” he
explained, watching me as I ate. “And you still didn’t want to give me the time
of day. I picked up on that.”

          
“Wow, you actually caught that vibe? Because at the time I
didn’t think you noticed,” I said laughing.

          
“Oh, I noticed. But I wasn’t about to let you walk out of
that bar without changing your feelings about me,” he said shyly.

          
“And here we are now, contractually obligated to being
nice to each other for a three week period of time before your ‘charm’ as you
call it gets under my skin all over again,” I replied, taking down the last
bite of food from his plate.

          
“I know you still think this is crazy. And now after last
night you think I’m a little crazy. But I promise you Mal, I have nothing but
good intentions here. I think you’re amazing,” he said, complimenting me. He
looked comforting to me, and I had to admit no matter how angry I was at him
last night, he certainly had a way of grounding me.

          
“Assuming you still find me irresistible after this really
fulfilling meal,” he said as I slugged down the rest of my orange juice, “can I
interest you in a walk down by the boat docks? Some friends of mine are having
a little shindig down there at one of the bars. Interested in meeting any of
them?” He stared at me, pleading with his eyes for me to say yes.

          
“Just no more surprises, right?” I said honestly.

          
“No more surprises. I promise,” he replied, throwing a
twenty dollar bill down and leading me out of the restaurant. His hand still
felt warm, and I knew in that moment I wouldn’t want to be holding anyone
else’s.

Chapter 19

          
“Good morning, sunshine,” Greyson said, kissing my
forehead. “You wanted to be to work by six, right?”

          
I glanced over at the clock, both grateful and annoyed to
see it read five-thirty.

          
“Why are you up? I thought you didn’t have anything to do
today,” I replied, rolling over in his sheets, stretching out my arms and legs.

          
“I had something really important this morning, actually.
I made you breakfast,” he said smiling.

          
“You’re crazy,” I responded, climbing out of his bed and
throwing on the same cotton dress I had on the night before.

          
“You know you can leave some clothes here if you want. I
hope you know that,” he said, taking my hand and leading me into the kitchen.

          
 
I sat down at his kitchen
table as he set down a plate of eggs, hash browns, and thick sliced bacon. “You
know I would be fine with a cold pop tart, right?” I said, smiling. “I mean,
this is wonderful, but if you ever want to sleep in.”

          
“I have the whole day for that. Besides, you need the
nutrition. That was a sorry excuse for a dinner last night.”

          
I smiled. Last night was amazing. We hung out with some of
his friends, all of whom I liked and got along with, and then came back to lie
in his hammock on his patio. We stared at the stars for what seemed like hours,
and then moved inside. We laughed, told stories, and kept ourselves entertained
until almost two in the morning.

          
I quickly finished my breakfast and we discussed our plans
for the week. I had a big proposal due for the downtown art festival by
Thursday, so I knew I wouldn’t have much time to spend with him. We agreed to
make our ‘us’ day for Thursday afternoon. My proposal would be submitted by
nine in the morning, so we would have the entire day after that and I would be
much less stressed.

          
The week flew by, and Greyson and I spent time together
every day. I still had a lot of work to do, but for the first time since I
could remember, I was comfortable missing some time at the bakery to hang out
with him instead. Addie was happy to pull some extra shifts anyway since she
was saving up for her wedding, so I felt less stressed out about having to be
there all the time when I knew she could handle things.

          
Every moment Greyson and I were together, I felt like a
teenager all over again. One night we stayed in, getting take-out and watching
movies all night. The other evening we spent outside, heading out to the hot
springs about an hour away. I finally felt like I was getting to know who he
really was, and I liked him more and more with each passing day. He talked a
lot about his father, and how much he still thought about him, or the made up
version he had of him anyway. I loved hearing him talk to me about that kind of
thing, because it was raw and emotional and I felt as though he didn’t talk
about that kind of thing often.

          
We also talked about my time studying abroad, and how I
longed to go back to Europe and Australia. It was as if we were making very
generalized plans to do that some day, without the awkward talk of making plans
to specifically do it together in the future. It was something I thought about,
sure. But it was so much easier to be in the moment with him, rather than
thinking ahead. I no longer worried about the three week mark of our
relationship. I had reservations about the whole thing in the beginning,
because I didn’t trust this guy enough to know whether or not he would see this
relationship through. But after spending all of this time with him, things were
different. He promised me with certainty he would be there, and I finally knew
in those moments that I could trust him.
         

          
The downtown art festival gig was a big deal for me.
Greyson had catered some of these events in the past, so he already had his
proposal in. He didn’t seem phased by the fact that other people would be
competing for the same job he wanted. He had a very ‘if it’s meant to be, it
will be’ outlook on the whole thing. For me, on the other hand, I wanted it
bad
.
These huge community events were exactly what I needed to build up my business.

          
Addie and I had been busy working with some new recipes,
trying a few more unique things that could separate us from some of the other
bakeries in the area. There were only a couple others throwing in their dessert
proposals. The real rat race was with the catering companies. Greyson had
worked well with a lot of the community leaders in the past though, so he
wasn’t worried about being selected to handle at least fifty percent of the
food order.

          
The night before my proposal was due, Addie and I stayed
up until two in the morning. Greyson had come by the bakery sometime around ten
that evening to bring us some coffee, but respectfully left after a few minutes
so he wouldn’t be a distraction. We were really meshing well with each other,
appreciative for the time we had together, but respectful of the time when the
other person had an obligation. We had plans for an ‘us’ day after my proposal
was submitted, and I finally decided I would invite him out the following night
with all of my friends for some drinks. It would be the first time he met the
whole group, Steve, Johnny, Griffin, and Megan. The only one he knew so far was
Addie, but only because she was already at the bakery the few times he stopped
by. I was a little nervous for them all to meet, but at the same time, I knew
they would like him. And I was pretty sure by now that I did too.

          
Thursday morning rolled around, far too early if you ask
me. This lack of sleep lately, between Greyson and trying to finish the
proposal, was really draining. I was really looking forward to another ‘us’ day
of boating and laying out in the sun. September was almost here, so I knew our
outdoor sun catching days were limited.

          
I dropped off my proposal at eight-thirty, anxious and
excited all at the same time. I wouldn’t find out anything until later that day
or possibly even the next morning, after everything had been reviewed. I was
nervous for the call, but I knew spending the entire day with Greyson would
calm any fears I had about my bid.

          
I made my way over to Greyson’s apartment around nine. I
knocked softly on the door, happy to see Greyson as he opened the door in gym
shorts and no shirt. He wrapped his arms around me and the world felt good.

          
We had so much fun boating on our last ‘us’ day that we decided
to head out for a repeat day. The sun was warm and the sky was perfectly clear,
and it was another day without a care in the world.

          
We spent the day eating on the boat, laying out in the
sun, and swimming around some of the various coves around the lake. Somehow I
finally began feeling really comfortable around Greyson. This whole
relationship finally felt a little less temporary and a lot more real. He was
more considerate and thoughtful than I ever would have imagined in the
beginning, and I had to admit he was certainly making an amazing effort. He was
genuinely trying to be a wonderful boyfriend, and I couldn’t fault him for
that.

          
“So tomorrow night I have a proposition for you,” I said
as we drove the boat back to the docks around five o’clock.

          
“I’m listening,” he said curiously. “Although I think we
both know I would agree to anything you ask me.”

          
“Well tomorrow night my best friends and I are all going
out to dinner at the Fish Bowl on Madison Drive,” I began, almost feeling
somewhat nervous to bring it up. “I just thought maybe it would be nice for you
to come meet them.”

          
“Whoa, the ‘meet the friends’ invite? You’ve come a long
way, Mallory,” he said with a smile. “Are they all going to be sizing me up to
make sure I’m good enough for you?”

          
“Of course. And whatever their opinion is will probably be
right,” I snickered. “So you’d better wear your charming persona.”

          
Greyson guided the boat up to the dock and some young
teenage boys came around to help tie it up. They helped me exit the boat
gracefully and Greyson unloaded all of our stuff.

          
“So what’s the plan from here? Want to grab some dinner?”
I asked, helping him carry our towels up to the car.

          
“Actually I thought we could spend the rest of the night
in. I have a new recipe I want to make you for dinner. I also borrowed eight
melodramatic awful chick flicks too from my friend’s wife. You can pick one and
I’ll suffer through it,” he said, gently kissing the side of my face. I
playfully swatted at him, and he grabbed me around my waist and tipped me
backwards. He kissed me deeply and my entire body tingled. “I’m really glad
you’re still giving me a chance,” he said softly.

          
“I’m already hooked, so I can only blame myself for
whatever happens from here on out,” I replied.

          
“So you’re saying you’re going to show up at La Luna in a
week and a half?” he asked with a raised brow.

          
“I’ll have to check my schedule, but I may be able to
swing that,” I said mockingly. “Will I be eating alone?”

          
“There is nothing in the world that would keep me from
showing up,” he responded sincerely. “I promise you, Mallory. Even if something
goes terribly wrong before then, I will be there no matter what.”

          
“Oh come on. When it comes to you things are easy, aren’t
they?” I added sarcastically.

          
“Hey, I am going to watch you cry for two hours tonight to
some sappy movie. If that doesn’t show my commitment to this relationship,
nothing will.”

          
We got into his car and drove back to his condo. Sure
enough, he had an elaborate dinner planned. We dined on chicken carbonara and
homemade garlic bread. We ate out on the patio and gazed at the stars, and I
was pretty sure my world never felt so right. As promised, he picked out a
plethora of romance movies, and although I tried not to cry in front of him, I
couldn’t help it. The sad part of the movie came and I couldn’t hold my tears
back. Greyson held me as tears slowly rolled down my face. He was smiling
though as he did it, which was somehow endearing to me, even if he was silently
mocking me for my emotion. It was a simple day and a simple night, but I knew
in that moment things had changed. It was that moment when you realize you
really click with someone. The way their body fits around yours, the way you’re
still deliriously happy when you’re in a sad moment. Greyson was right from the
beginning, he sure was unexpected. I just never imagined it was in the best way
possible.