Grumpy Darling: A Heartwarming YA Wholesome Slow-Burn Romance with First Kisses, Hockey, and a Happily Ever After (The Darling Devils Book 2)

by Alexandra Moody

More than that, I remembered the way he’d looked at me. It was as though he’d echoed my thoughts. Like maybe he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

There was already a dress laid out on my bed. I approached it slowly. It looked familiar, and when I reached it, I immediately recognized the small, delicate flowers printed on the pale pink fabric. “It’s my dress,” I whispered. It was the one I’d tried on when we’d been shopping. The one that had made me feel just like me. The one I hadn’t bought because I didn’t think being me would ever be enough to catch a guy’s eye. There was a note on it: The perfect dress for my perfect date. Grayson did this? I wasn’t sure I could fall any harder for this boy, but he was making it far too easy. I’d always known Gray was sweet, and kind, and generous. But the way he made me feel like I was something truly special, just for being me, was incredible. As if there was any doubt left, I knew there was no coming back from this.

I trusted Gray, so I knew, whatever happened, it would be okay.

I was starting to question whether Grayson was real himself. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better guy.

I’d witnessed Paige’s smile thousands of times before, each one more beautiful than the last. But the one that graced her features now outdid them all, as she released a breath, tucked her head against my shoulder, and gazed up at the stars.

It could have been forever, and it wouldn’t have been long enough. Lying here with Paige in my arms, everything in the world felt peaceful and perfect.

Everything I’ve ever wanted is already right here.” “Everything you . . .” Realization slowly dawned in her eyes. “You’re everything, Pidge.”

“But somewhere along the way, you became much more to me than just my best friend. I get butterflies when you enter a room and sparks on my skin when we touch. I’m happiest when I’m with you, and when I’m sad, you’re the person I want by my side. I know you deserve so much better than me. And I don’t want to mess up what we have, but I’ve always believed our friendship can survive anything—including the fact I’ve . . .” I paused, but only for a moment. I refused to let fear take hold of me again. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Paige.”

“Crap,” she murmured. My heart started to sink. “You don’t feel the same . . .” “It’s not that,” she said. “I think I might have wasted my wish.” “What do you mean?” “Well, either I wasted my wish, or the stars work really fast,” she replied with a cautious smile. “I wished for you, Gray. I wished that this date was real. I wished that one day you’d see me as more than a friend. And I wished that you, no one else, would be my first kiss. Because I’m in love with you too, Grayson. I think I always have been. I just didn’t realize it was love. I thought it was just . . . us.”

“No, Pidge. That was my first kiss too.” “But . . . What? Who?” She blinked. “How is that possible?” “Why would I kiss someone else, when I was waiting for you?”

“I hired you as my dating coach, even though you hadn’t been kissed either?” “Uh, firstly, ouch. And secondly, what do you mean hired? I don’t remember being paid.” “Still, it’s practically fraud! I should sue.” “Can you really blame me?” I asked. “I’d do anything for you.”

I wasn’t sure if it was fate, luck, or destiny. But it felt as if the stars had granted me a whole sky full of wishes, because Paige was finally mine.

Grayson was an amazing kisser, and I truly struggled to believe that he’d never done this before. When he kissed me, it made me wonder if this was what coming home should feel like. Every part of him felt familiar, and being enclosed in his arms gave me a sense of comfort I’d never experienced anywhere else. He made me feel warm, secure and loved; like I’d arrived in the one place I would always be welcome. Like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

His kisses weren’t just coziness and warmth though, and I was quickly learning that under his stern exterior he was hiding a seriously passionate side. If Grayson was my home, then it sometimes felt like we’d left too many candles burning, and the house was about to go up in flames. Things with Gray could get kind of steamy, and the more we kissed the more I was beginning to discover a whole new side to the boy that had my heart. I felt like I could spend a whole lifetime exploring Grayson Darling.

“What if we don’t work out?” I said as we stopped by the trunk of my car. “I don’t want to lose you.” Gray’s expression was serious, and he placed my bags on the ground so he could take my hands in his. “You’re never going to lose me.” “You make it sound so simple.” “It may not always be,” he agreed. “But fighting is one of my strengths. I’m always going to fight for you. For us.”

“You’re stuck with me forever, Pidge. I promise.”

Forcing me to go down a certain route just because she thought it was best was only making everything harder.

I’d realized that it was okay not to have an immediate plan. It was okay if you didn’t have everything figured out. Because sometimes life threw something at you that was better than anything you could ever have dreamed up anyway.

“But you’re right, I must not be thinking clearly. I should have said beautiful. Pretty doesn’t do you justice.”

“Don’t stop chasing your dreams until your legs fail, your arms give in, and you can’t even drag yourself toward them anymore.”

“I’m so in love with you, Paige Price.” “And I’m so in love with you, Grayson Darling.”

“You up for a little stargazing?” A smile slowly formed on her lips. “With you? Always.”

As long as I had Paige, I knew I’d be happy.