The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 25

It's getting harder and harder to ignore how I feel about Hunter. I keep telling myself I'm doing it for the right reasons but at this point I'm starting to think I'm just scared.

We added the local park to our assignment the day after Hunter brought me home. We took goofy selfies for our project and a scenic photo of the trees and shrubs. We also spent a hour playing on the swings and slides like we used to when we were little.

I take a deep breath as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Today is Parker and Chloe's engagement party and Mia has insisted on helping me get dressed since apparently I can't do that by myself.

"You look gorgeous Grace." Mia tells me as she claps her hands like and excited child.

Shes curled my blonde hair and braided it around the back where it turns into a messy bun. My make up is light but the soft brown hues in my eyeshadow make my green eyes pop.

I thank Mia before she leaves to get herself ready. My dress is a clean white that ties behind my neck. It pulls my waist in then flares slightly at the bottom.

I pull a pair of simple, silver sandals onto my feet. They're open toed but flat, at least I shouldn't fall over today.

When I make my way downstairs and out to the backyard I'm amazed at what my Mom and Mia have managed to pull off, although I assume Joey gave them some guidance judging by all the fairy lights hanging from the fences. The patio part of the lawn is set up with what looks to be a drinks station and barbecue while on the grass there sits a huge white gazebo.

One by one my family starts arriving. My Mom and Mia have been rushing around all morning bossing my poor Dad and Nate around.

Parker and Chloe are the next ones to get here. Parker's dressed in fitted black jean shorts that reach his knee and a white shirt that he's left the top button un done on, smart but casual. Chloe looks beautiful in a purple bodycon dress and black heeled sandals.

Joey, Brooke and Cody follow not far behind and at some point between the mix of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, Cole makes an appearance too.

"Do you think Aunt Wendy gets her hair done by a dog groomer?" Cole asks, sipping on his beer.

We've been sitting on the wall at the side of the garden people watching for a while now, trying to avoid all the extended family members no one usually speaks to unless there is an occasion or a death.

"Huh?" I'm distracted, I'm looking all over this damned garden and watching the door waiting fr Hunter to walk through it.

"Well she looks like a fucking poodle." His face is blank and shows no emotion, I don't know what's going on with him lately.

I let out a small chuckle at Cole's remark, he's not wrong.

As I look up from my dangling feet I see Hunter walk through the door. He looks so handsome with his usually messy hair pushed away from his face. His dark jeans and charcoal silk shirt make his blue eyes sparkle from across the room. I feel my smile light up when I see him and feel that familiar tightening in my chest.

He advances towards us in long strides, his face mirroring mine. Cole makes a gagging sound beside me, "I'm going to get another beer, you two make me sick." The smile he gives me before he leaves shows me he's anything but disgusted by our behavior.

"You look beautiful." He tells me once he reaches me, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Thank you, you do to."

He raises a brow at me and I realize my mistake, "I mean.. not beautiful, you look handsome."

He laughs as he picks up two champagne flutes from the nearby table, he hands me one and we stare into each others eyes for a brief moment before toasting and both clinking our glasses.

A slow song begins and Hunter asks me to dance. He takes his hand and mine and leads me to the make shift dance floor in the middle of my garden.

I drape both of my arms over each of Hunters shoulders, linking both of my index fingers loosely behind his neck. His hands gently sit at my waist, his thumbs drawing small circles as we sway softly to the low tempo of the song playing.

I'm aware that we're the only ones dancing and usually that thought alone would make me want to run and hide, but here with Hunter, I don't care.

Hunter looks distracted and I wonder if he's thinking about when he found me out walking the other night, "What's on your mind?" I ask him, my fingers playing with the loose strands of hair brushing against the nape of his neck.

"I need to talk to you, can we go somewhere after here?" He asks me, suddenly looking concerned.

I nod, maybe he's decided he doesn't want to be friends with me anymore, I mean I can be a lot to deal with. Maybe he's decided I'm not worth the trouble. I wouldn't blame him.

He places his finger under my chin gently, pulling my face up to meet his, "Stop worrying Gracie, it's probably not whatever insane scenario you've cooked up in your head" He shakes his head at me.

"Okay, we can go now if you want?" I suggest, the anticipation is too much.

His eyes search the garden, looking for something. "Yeah, sure. I just need to talk to Cole a sec." He smiles and places a gentle kiss on my cheek when I furrow my brows in confusion. I decided to not ask any questions, he'd tell me if it was important.

"Um, yeah okay. I'll just let my Mom know I'm leaving."

I enter the gazebo and she my Mom and Eva chuckling away at something, a glass of wine in each nattering woman's hand.

"There she is." Eva greets me as she opens her arms for a hug, I awkwardly lean in and give her a one armed one back.

"Hi Eva." I turn to my Mom, "Hey Mom, is it okay if Hunter and I go somewhere for a little while? we'll be back in an hour or so." I hope she doesn't get too pissed with me.

"Grace it's your brothers engagement party sweetheart, Is it really that important?" She asks.

"I don't know, Hunter said he wanted to talk to me." I mumble, looking at my feet.

She purses her lips but nods her head, I don't think she's very happy about the whole situation.

Hunter appears me with his hands resting on my shoulders. "Sorry Ellen it's my fault, I just wanted to talk to Grace about something and didn't think here was a good place to do that." I notice Eva looking above my head to Hunter, she seems to be having a silent conversation with him through her eyes and I can only imagine he's doing the same thing back. Eva's eyes meet mine and she gives me a tight lipped smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

My Mom's face goes from annoyed to ecstatic in 0.2 seconds, "Of course Hunter, you take all the time you need sweetie."

I roll my eyes as Hunter leads me through the garden, into my house and back out of the front door to his car. All the while the anticipation eating away at me.