Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2) by Lauren Runow (christmas read aloud .txt) 📕

“Good to see you again, Tucker. Boy, you two are getting to be attached at the hip,” she teases.

Tucker grabs me and yanks me into him. “I’m trying.”

He kisses my forehead as I giggle and push him away.

As people arrive, I make sure to greet everyone and that they know where the beer and cups are. After an hour, the place is packed, and even a few of the guys have turned on their trucks to create an outdoor music venue with speakers in the bed, blasting the radio.

While I’m talking with a few guys from high school, I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and pull it out to see who it is.

You look smokin’ in those shorts. Those legs …

He includes the fire emoji, and I can’t help but laugh. I search around the party and find him talking to Wyatt. Seeing Wyatt in his police uniform right next to a group of people holding red Solo cups makes me chuckle to myself. That’s definitely something that’s changed since we graduated.

I text back.

Don’t think I haven’t checked you out in that cowboy hat either. Did I ever tell you I had a thing for guys in cowboy hats?

I put my phone back in my pocket and am surprised when I look up to see Grayson Davis pull up. He’s the guy all the girls dreamed about, and he hasn’t changed a bit. I’ve heard he’s the fire chief, and by his cut body, I can see he stays in shape for the job.

Though he seems the same, I’ve also heard he lost his wife three years ago. Since then, he’s been raising his twin daughters on his own. I can’t even imagine losing your spouse at such an early age.

I turn to tell Laken that he’s here, and by the way she’s staring in his direction, I can see that crush she had on him all those years ago never went away.

I head toward her and nudge her from behind, startling her. “So … still stuck on Grayson, are you?”

She closes her eyes, embarrassed. “Was it that obvious?”

“No, only because I was coming to tell you he was here and noticed you were already well aware.”

She grins my way. “You should see his daughters. They’re so adorable.”

“Why don’t we go talk to him?” I start to walk away, and she stops me.

“Are you serious? You can’t just walk up to him like that.”

“Come on. We’re not in high school anymore. Actually, that’s the entire point of being here like this.”

I drag her with me, and even though I let go of her arm a few steps from where we were standing, she still follows me.

“Grayson, so glad you could stop by. Can I get you a beer?”

I take my time to check him out and see how much he’s changed. Ten years have done him good. Not only is he tall and muscular, but the tattoo sleeve I see peeking out of his shirt is nothing like you used to see in Mason Creek back in the day. Maybe this town is coming into the twenty-first century more than I thought. First a lingerie store and now a fire chief with full-sleeve tattoos. There might be hope for this sleepy little town after all.

He smiles as he waves to me. “Hey, Justine. No, I’m good. Just heading home and thought I’d stop by to say hello to everyone.”

I turn to Laken. “You remember Laken, right?”

Laken waves, and Grayson smiles.

“Yes, my mom takes my girls to your bookstore all the time.”

Laken nods. “Yes, I get to see them occasionally. They’re really sweet.”

“I hope they’re good in your store. I know they can be handfuls sometimes.”

“They’re always little angels. Especially since they know I hide the good stuff in the back.”

“So, you’re the one who held a copy of the latest Captain Underpants just for them.”

“That would be me.” She smiles, and I get the feeling something’s going on here.

A guy from behind us calls out Grayson’s name, and he excuses himself politely. “Sorry, I was supposed to call him back today and forgot. Would you excuse me?” he says as he walks by.

I see the disappointment in Laken’s eyes as he leaves, but it’s short-lived when a few more friends from high school come walking up.

I spend the next hour visiting with everyone, but every time I turn around, I see Tucker there. He’s hanging out with the people here and making friends, but he’s definitely keeping an eye on me as he does.

When I finally make my way over to where he is, he leans in and whispers, “Are you done flirting with all these boys?”

I lean back and raise my eyebrows. “Boys? I bet everyone here would argue against that.”

He steps in front of me and pulls my body close to his, shaking his head. “Nah, I’m the only man here. Why don’t you let me prove it to you again?”

“Are you jealous, seeing me talk to all these other guys? Do you feel the need to prove your manhood over them?” I tease.

He leans in to kiss me, and I’m instantly lost in his arms.

When he pulls back, he grins. “I don’t need to prove anything. But I’ll be here, planning our real night, whenever you’re ready to go. That is, unless you want to sneak away and fool around in my truck to really relive our high school days.”

He pats my ass and then walks away, leaving me wanting more of him right in this very spot, anyone who sees us be damned.

I close my eyes briefly and inhale a breath. Knowing I have a job to do, I get back to talking to old friends and doing research for my next article. Yet all I can think about is what he’s planning and how early I can leave my own party.

Chapter Sixteen

Tucker

I turn the wrench and drop it for the third time today.

“Damn