How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock Page B

way back to the car, the sun setting and casting a mellow glow over the end of a surprisingly great day.
    Melanie gave a quick nod as she opened the passenger side door. “Perfect. I think I want that spinach and cheese dip again.”
    “That can most certainly be arranged.” A crooked grin notched in the corner of his mouth as he secured Polly in the back seat with a newly purchased doggie harness seat belt.
    Sliding back into the driver’s seat, he turned on the ignition. “Mind if I put some music on?”
    She shook her head, curious what he would pick. Curious about so much more when it came to her new husband. Grady fiddled with the radio, settling on an old country love ballad. He hummed along. Didn’t press her to talk. The silence felt…comfortable. Easy.
    His hand slid to the top of her thigh. The warmth from his palm felt delicious on her bare skin. It was such a simple gesture, so sweet. Her thoughts turned back to the course of the day, to the surprisingly good time they’d had.
    They were silent on the way back to the hotel. Melanie barely registered the walk back to the room. She was preoccupied with how wonderful their day had been. And that was a problem.
    It was time to regain control. To regroup. To guard her heart against this practically perfect man.
    *
    Grady tipped the room service delivery attendant, and turned back to Melanie, who was curled up on the couch, remote in hand. God, she was gorgeous in that thick robe, her hair loose and damp around her shoulders.
    “I’ve picked out a movie for us to watch over dinner.” She clicked play on the remote and ordered the movie off of pay-per-view.
    “Excellent. That’s my favorite way to unwind.” He brought the tray over to the coffee table in front of her. There were two orders of spinach and cheese dip. The accompanying chips were piled high, nearly spilling over the side of the bowl.
    He sat next to her, pressing his leg against hers.
    Her pulse leapt. “I imagine you prefer high action, shoot-em-ups.”
    “Not so much,” he said truthfully. “I like period pieces, old films, and documentaries.”
    “Really? You’re a movie buff? Where does that fit in with your major-league, fast track lifestyle?” She chased around a chunk of cheese with a chip, scooping the heap ungracefully into her mouth.
    “What does my career have to do with a love of old movies?” Try as he might, he couldn’t work out the accusatory statement and stare.
    Melanie’s shoulders shrugged. “Don’t you spend your evenings going to parties with the team?”
    “Not if I can help it. That’s a fast way to burn out or tick off the manager.” He licked his fingers.
    “Uhm, okay. I can see that.” She channel surfed, frowning.
    “Wait! Stop!” His head whipped toward the screen at the familiar sound. “Is this High Society ?”
    “Yeah. Lame, I know. It’s one of my favorites. So romantic. And I do love the singing.” Her tone fell low, “You probably hate this kind of thing, don’t you?”
    There she went again. Assuming so many things about him. Maybe, just maybe, if he could open up a little bit more to her, she would realize they were more alike. That there was common ground between them. That he meant his vows.
    “I meant it when I said I love classic movies, but this is probably in my top ten.” He laughed out. “I know all of those songs by heart.”
    “Really?” Eyebrow arched in disbelief.
    Grady’s arm snaked behind her head, and rested on her shoulders, allowing himself to toy with a lock of her damp hair. “Truly. When you are on the road for weeks on end, you have the opportunity to watch a lot of television and movies. Which I wholeheartedly take advantage of. I skip out on parties in favor of some old-fashioned relax time.”
    “You are a man of pleasant surprises. I’ll give you that much,” she teased. A genuine smile spread across her face. Nestling against his chest, she sighed deeply.
    “I do try. What other movies do you