Romancing the Grump (Appies, #4)

by Jenny Proctor

And finally, finally, Nathan smiles. It’s small. Definitely not a real smile, but it’s something, and the sight of it makes my heart flop around in my chest.

I freeze, too surprised to move. Nathan is actually spooning me, his strong arm wrapped over my shoulder, his breath warm on my neck. The rest of the guys are barely stifling their laughter, making me all too aware that they’re watching, but despite their unfortunate presence, I can’t help but notice how good it feels to be in Nathan’s arms.

Nathan runs a hand down his beard, clearly uncomfortable. “I just…wanted to apologize without my teammates listening.” He clears his throat. “I don’t know what I did in my sleep, Summer. I’m sorry if I crossed any lines.” “You absolutely didn’t,” I quickly say. “I’m sorry for even being here. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” His lips lift in a tiny smirk. “Waking up to you did not make me uncomfortable.”

I don’t expect to forget the crowd of people watching me kiss Summer for the first time, but the second her lips touch mine, everything else falls away.

I still don’t like the idea of faking. Mostly because that kiss felt anything but fake.

It really was hot watching her tear into that reporter, and she deserves a very sincere thank you.

“You were on the jumbotron,” she says. “That’s what happened. And you made the grumpiest grump of all smile like a kid on Christmas morning.”

I can be a lot. I have strong opinions, and I’m not afraid of saying them.” “I like that about you,” I say. “But I might not be the best judge.” “Yeah? Why is that?” “Because I like everything about you.”

I lean back, my hands shifting to grip his forearms, and take a huge, shaky breath. I know the risk of what I’m about to do. But I can’t do this for one more day. I can’t leave without telling him how I feel. “Nathan, I’m in love with you,” I blurt out.

“Yeah, man,” Blake says. “Gotta land a wife before you get fat and ugly.”

I ham it up this time, exaggerating the funny parts, making them laugh harder and harder. When we hit the last page, Allie turns around, shifting onto her knees and pressing her tiny hands against my cheeks. “Thanks, Uncle Nathan,” she says. “You should be a dad.”

leans into my touch, his eyes closing for a moment. “I love you, Summer,” he says, and my breath catches in my throat. I wasn’t expecting him to start there—to go right for it—and now it happened so fast, I feel like I missed it.

This man really does know me so well. “Why did you bring me donuts and pick up my favorite dinner and also put lilies on your coffee table?” I blurt out. “Because I love you,” he says without even flinching.