All's Fair in Love and Las Vegas

Chapter Forty-Eight

        Grayson took me home, except I was surprised when he led me straight into his (our?) bathroom. Warily, I asked, "What are you doing?"

        "Running you a hot bath," he said, kneeling down on the tile and turning on the faucet. I was stunned into silence as he jumped up and said, "Wait here."

        So I waited, confused and quiet, until he returned with a small stack of clothes. Fluffy pajamas that were my size, to be specific.

        "Bubbles?" I asked. Because bubbles.

        "Uh huh." Grayson's face was adorably concentrated as he poured in more bubble solution and threw in a bath bomb. 

        "Why?" I asked, watching the water fizz.

        He stood and kissed my nose, something that felt much more intimate than it was. "Because this is my solution to a bad day. Now get in; I'll be back in five minutes." 

        Before he could leave the room, I crushed him with a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, holding on just as fiercely.

        "Thank you for caring about me," I murmured, burying my face in his shirt.

        Grayson didn't loosen his embrace in the slightest as he whispered, "Caring about you is what I know best."

        I choked on a happy sob as I stepped away, wiping away the tears that made my gaze blurry. He smiled shyly as he shut the door behind him, giving me an unexpected burst of butterflies in my chest. 

        Quickly, I slipped off my clothes and sat down in the warm water. Grayson's solution was perfect; after a cold day of trekking through the woods, a hot bath was just what I needed. I sighed, dipping the ends of my hair in the water and closing my eyes.

        Grayson's soft knock came at the door. Frantically making sure I was entirely covered by bubbles, I timidly said, "Come in."

        When he did, he held my phone and said, "Want some music on?"

        "Sure," I decided. He nodded and turned on the song that actually—

        "Is this the calming playlist I sent you last week?" I asked, surprised he'd even looked at it.

        He nodded. "I can switch it, if you want," he offered, sitting down on the tile next to the tub.

        "No, it's great," I promised. Secretly, I found it touching that he'd paid such close attention to the music I'd sent him.

        Grayson nodded and said, "I called Tay; he said he'd be here with the tree in a couple hours."

        Once again, I was surprised. "You meant that?"

        "Duh. Tay is my number one man. The guy on the inside. Of course he'll help me with our Christmas tree," he explained simply. As if things with Tay were ever simple.

        "I'm sorry I wrecked our fun Christmas planning day," I said miserably. 

        "Hey, no, no, don't be sorry," Grayson whispered, brushing his thumb over my cheek. "It's really okay. I'd rather have you safe at home instead of upset and trying to have fun."

        I met his hazel eyes—eyes I knew well enough to know they weren't entirely truthful. "And how are you doing?" I asked quietly.

        His gaze shifted, staring at the floor between his feet. "Fine. You're more important right now."