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

She was the human embodiment of sunshine, and what kind of selfish jerk would I be if I dimmed her glow with my dark, stormy clouds?

go off king

How could I get silly about boys when absolutely no boys were silly about me?

NO REAL NO ACTUALLY

I’d fallen in poison ivy on the first day and Grayson, the thoughtful idiot that he was, decided I shouldn’t be in pain alone, and had jumped in the ivy too.

i mean are we kidding rn

“You may laugh, Grayson Darling. But if your sister takes me out, you’ll miss me when I’m gone.”

ur gonna miss me when im goOooOOOoOnE

“You don’t think friends can turn into something more?”

crazyyyy

Gray: Just wear what you had on at the game. You looked perfect. Me: I was wearing your jersey. Gray: Like I said . . . perfect.

ok so this seems a little odd considering you guys are supposed to be besties but i'm gonna go w it

The clothes in my closet were entirely chosen based on vibes.

yes queen

“If this isn’t enough to impress Damien, then perhaps he isn’t the one for me.”

perhaps its GRAYSON.

Parker’s face lit with a devious grin. “I just needed to make sure Matt was ready with the camera.” He stuck up his thumb and posed beside me as Matt turned his phone in our direction. “Figured we could frame this and call it, ‘The Moment Grayson Realized He’d Made a Catastrophic Mistake.’”

PARKER😭

“Come on, Gray. You don’t have to do this alone. I know I annoy the hell out of you, but I’ve always got your back. Let me help.”

“Next time, try asking yourself, what would Parker do?”

YES YES I WILL

“Oh, Grayson.” Parker was shaking his head. “What has she done to you?”

REAL

“Paige Price, are you actually . . . grumpy this morning?”

no clock her rn

Yep, I needed to go to bed asap.

no actually

“That’s because I actually arrived in this world six-foot-four and scowling.”

. . . ok go off king ig

I think Parker went along just to watch and laugh.”

no because i fear that's actually the only reason he's ever here

Only now, I was beginning to realize that most friends didn’t make you weak at the knees. Most friends didn’t make your heart race. And most friends didn’t make your skin sizzle with a simple glance.

yeah about that

It was clear I’d fallen for Grayson Darling, without even realizing it. I wasn’t confused anymore. I was in love with my best friend. And I think I had been for a long time.

no fr

I didn’t have anger issues. I had Paige issues.

slay king

Parker: Did GP really choke on a granola bar? More importantly, did anyone get that on video?

YES PARKER GO OFF I LOVE YOU

“I’m sorry I’ve taken so long to tell you this,” I continued. “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.”

AHHHHHHHHH

“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?”

OK KING

Parker laughed but quickly covered the sound with a cough as he gave my clothes a critical look.

real

the boys still smirking into their cereal,

no because actually how do you expect them to not react to this tomfoolery you clown

“Better than ending up like you!”

OH!

And he seemed mostly concerned with seeing a certain best friend of his. Or should I say, girlfriend?”

oh he said he does not care abt his family just paige ig

“Don’t worry, little sis,” Parker said with a grin. “I’m sure she was just trying to revive him with a little CPR . . .”

JAHAAHHAHAHAHAFHDBSDSDHFHSDHSD

“I wasn’t worried,” Parker insisted. “Don’t lie, you were more worried than anyone,” Cammie said with a laugh, although she brushed a finger across her cheek as she did. Was that a tear? Surely not.

no def not

But instead, I let the star fall without drawing her attention. I’d leave that wish for someone else. We both already had everything we wanted.

AWWW