When Gracie Met The Grump

by Mariana Zapata

How he managed to tell me to fuck off with my turkey breast without actually moving his lips, almost impressed me.

“You’ll be under my protection for the rest of your life. You understand?” The rest of my life? “You mean until we figure things out?” He shook his head, gaze intent. “They’re never going to stop looking for you, Gracie.” He nailed that coffin shut. “You laid on top of me to save me, even though you knew nothing they could have done would hurt me. For. The. Rest. Of. Your. Life.”

“It hurts my feelings that I’m right here, that you’re right there, and you still think that you’re ever going to be alone again.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, dragging his fingers down the tip. Then he dropped his hand and looked at me. “Gracie?” he asked slowly. “Yes?” He was straddling that line between sounding grouchy and cool. “Guess what?” I hesitated just a little, not sure where this was going but too curious to not wonder. “What?” “Listen to me clearly.” “I’m listening clearly.” His mouth twitched first. Both his hands formed fists, but his voice was absolutely steady and so rich. He leaned in so his face was the only thing I could see as he said, “I always like you the most.”