Gracie:I did. I’m still in shock.
Marc:You deserve it.
Gracie:Thanks. Aren’t you sour because I’m the competition?
Marc:Not if you chose it. I’m so fucking proud.
Gracie:Oh, thank you.
Marc:Go work hard on the next part of the joint venture and see if your contribution wins again.
Gracie:I will. Game on, head down and ass up now.
I chuckle as I head back to my office.
Chapter 20
Gracie
Icarryabasketaround the grocery store to pick up a few things for this weekend. Finding the candy aisle, I scan the shelves, looking for the right sweet treat.
I pick up the Reese’s cups and reach for Oreos.
“Oh, what a mix.” I turn to the sound of Marc’s voice, but my eyes widen when I see his daughter Aria standing beside him.
“Yeah. Ah. I don’t know which one to choose for the weekend,” I say, holding up the two bags.
“I say cups,” Marc says, but Aria is shaking her head.
“No, Oreos all the way.”
I smile. “That doesn’t help.”
“Why not get both?” Aria suggests.
“I think I will.” I put them both in my basket, and when I look back up, Marc’s smiling.
“Are you looking for candy too?” I ask them.
“Yeah, it’s movie weekend,” Marc says, knowing he’s explained it to me. “Aria, this is my friend, Gracie. Gracie, this is my daughter, Aria.”
I smile. “Nice to meet you, Aria. So, what candy goes with your movie weekend?” I ask, flicking my gaze between the two.
“I like Snickers,” Marc says.
“And I’m an M&M fan,” Aria says.
“What flavor M&M?” I ask.
“Just the original chocolate.”
“Good choice,” I add.
My gaze holds Marc’s for a beat and there is a shine to it. Clearly, he’s enjoying this exchange and surprisingly, I am too.
“I better check off the rest of my list, and leave you two to shop for the movie,” I say, shifting the basket in the opposite hand.
“Why don’t you join us? We are watchingThe Hunger Games, and I know you haven’t seen it,” Marc says.