My heart is pounding when I walk up the Sherwoods’ front steps the next morning. I did my makeup and hair and dressed conservatively. My breezy blouse and black slacks communicate professionalism in accordance with my business classes at school. I want Grant to see that I care about him and his son, and I intend to do this job as if I’m getting paid.

I rub my sweaty palms together and ring the doorbell. It isn’t long before I hear tiny feet pitter-pattering toward the door. My face cracks into a smile. Hudson must be excited to see me again, which is a great sign.

Having Hudson yesterday was the most fun I’ve had in a while. He is such a sweet kid, and watching Thomas with him was like going back in time to my own childhood. I can tell we’re going to get along just fine. He seems to trust me already, which means Grant has done a great job. One sign of a good parent is a well-adjusted child. It’s amazing how comfortable he was with me, especially considering his family life has been turned upside-down as of late.

The doorknob rattles, and I hear a tiny voice inside saying—

“Da-ee! Op’ door! Op’ door!”

I’m giggling when the door opens and Grant appears, looking a bit disheveled with his hair flying out in all directions but still as handsome as ever. He’s still wearing pajama bottoms, and his white tank top accentuates his bronze skin and sculpted shoulder muscles. I want to gape at them and drool, but then I remember my professional approach and keep eye contact.

“Rough morning?” I tease.

Grant rakes his hand through his hair and laughs. His dimples make their appearance, and I feel my knees quiver.

“Little bit. This one has been running all over the place. I just got him sitting down at the table for breakfast, and then you rang.”

I cringe. “Sorry. That must be frustrating.”

“No, it’s all right.” He stands to the side and holds out his arm. “Please, come in. You can join us for breakfast.”

“Thank you.” I step inside the house, grateful for the offer. I meant to grab something to eat before I left the house, but I was too nervous to eat. I’m spending the whole day in Grant Sherwood’s house with him right upstairs. After spending time with him yesterday, I can no longer deny that my crush on him is still alive and well. I’m going to be queasy all day, or at least I thought I was. Somehow looking at him now, in his natural environment, looking sexy as all hell, I’m feeling more hungry than queasy.

The train table is sitting off to the right in Hudson’s playroom. I smile at the sight of Hudson’s trains and cars already scattered all over it. It’s obvious he’s gotten in some good play time this morning.

Hudson takes me by the hand and pulls me into the kitchen. “Pa’cakes!”

“I guess you must be having pancakes for breakfast,” I say to Grant, laughing.

He chuckles in reply. I can’t get enough of watching him laugh. “Yeah. Blueberry pancakes, his favorite.”

“Ooh, I love blueberry.” I grin down at Hudson, who lets out a squeal of excitement as he runs, making his voice vibrate.

Hudson and I sit down at the kitchen table, and Grant brings over a plate of slightly burnt pancakes that still smell delicious. As we’re pouring syrup over the fluffy brown concoctions, Grant gives me a quick run-down of Hudson’s schedule. It’s all pretty standard: breakfast at seven thirty, indoor playtime until ten, outside play until lunch, lunch at twelve, and so on. I try to listen carefully, but my attention keeps drifting to Grant’s lips as he talks. I keep imagining how sweet his mouth must taste right now, with the tang of the blueberries and the richness of the syrup mixing together in perfect harmony…

I give my head a little shake and thrust another forkful of pancake in my mouth, wondering what the hell is going on inside my brain. My attraction to him now as opposed to ten years ago is so different. I’ve become a pervert over the years. I’m glad he can’t see what I’m thinking.

Before long, breakfast is over, and I start picking up the dishes for Grant so he can get on with his day. He tries to help bring the dishes to the sink, but I jump in front of him to stop him. His hand accidentally lands on my hip on his way to reaching toward the table.

His gaze snaps up to meet mine, and a current of electricity buzzes between us. My heart turns into a snare drum in my chest. I jerk backward, nervous laughter bursting out of my throat.

“I’m so sorry,” I offer, but he holds up his hand.

“That was on me.” He steps back, letting me take over. “I take it you don’t want me picking up the dishes.”

“No, you’ve done enough. Breakfast was great. I’ve got this now. Go get to work.” Smiling, I shoo him off. “We’ll be fine, right buddy?”

I glance at Hudson, whose grin is denting his blueberry-stained face. “P’ay trains?”

“Of course, as soon as you’re all cleaned up.” I lead him to the kitchen sink and stand him on a stool to wash his hands. When Grant lingers, I shoo him away again. “Seriously, go. We’re good.”

Grant’s smile radiates relief. “You’re the best, Cheyenne. A lifesaver. Really. I can’t thank you enough.”

My cheeks burn red-hot. “It’s my pleasure.”

His eyes narrow for a second, and then he turns away and I watch his fine ass walk toward the staircase. Soon he’s out of sight, but the images of his face and body are still burned into my brain. I’d never be able to forget him, no matter how long he was gone.

* * *

It had been weeks since I’d seen Grant, and I was getting very lonely without my next-door playmate. Grant had been at summer camp until the first week of August. Being without him that summer had made everything seem so bleak in the neighborhood. Throwing a Frisbee and swimming in the pool weren’t any fun without someone to hang out with. I had the occasional school friend over, and some of the neighborhood kids would play with me, but not many. I had never been popular, but that didn’t matter when Grant was around. He didn’t care how many friends I had; he would always be my friend. I knew I could count on him to always be ready to play with me.

Finally, one day in early August, his parents took off in their SUV to bring him home. I waited for hours on the porch stoop waiting for him to return. When they finally drove into their driveway, I couldn’t contain myself any longer. I raced across the yard and hopped the fence between our houses, barreling into Grant’s arms the moment he emerged from the car.

“Whoa—hey!” Grant chuckled as he returned my embrace. “How are ya, Squirt?”

“I’m so happy you’re home,” I said with a huge grin.

“Aw.” Grant ruffled the top of my head and placed his hands on my shoulders, pulling back to look at me. “I thought you would have forgotten all about me by now.” He winked so I knew he was joking.

“Never, never, never.” I shook my head so hard, my pigtails started slapping me in the face.

Grant squatted down to my level and reached into his back pocket. “I got something for you at camp.” A gel pen topped with a feather appeared in his hand, and I squealed.

“It’s so pretty!” I wiggled the pen back and forth to watch the feather flip around in the breeze. Then I remembered my manners. “Thank you, Grant.”

“You’re very welcome. Did you have a good summer?”

I frowned. “No. You were gone.” I said it like it was the most obvious thing in the whole world.

He laughed deep in his throat. Grant’s voice was getting lower and lower. I wasn’t quite sure why, but I liked it. “Well I promise I’ll be around for the rest of the school year. Can’t miss out on our snowball fights, after all.”

“I’m gonna beat your butt this year,” I promised, mimicking throwing snowballs with my free hand.

Grant cocked an eyebrow. “We’ll see about that.” He rose to his feet and waved to me. “I gotta go unpack, but I’ll see ya later, Squirt.”

“Bye, Grant!” I waved and took off with my gel pen, feeling like the happiest, luckiest girl in the world.