Free Up to Me (Shore Secrets) by Christi Barth

won’t be a stranger anymore.” Ella sounded exasperated.
    The woman thrust her hand out at Gray. “Acacia Hobbes. My friends call me Casey.”
    “What should a guy with a nice ass call you?”
    She flashed him a quick grin. “Anything he wants.”
    “Graydon Locke.” They shook.
    Ella stepped toward them, wielding a can of whipped cream like a gun. “Hands off, Casey. I saw him first.”
    “Ohhh.” She drew out the word, long and slow. “This is who Brooke texted us about yesterday?” Casey circled Gray, looking him up and down. “For once, she didn’t exaggerate. I’m glad I voted yes in the poll.”
    Gray’s first sip of coffee exploded on his tongue with the life-giving force of a vampire’s fangs sinking into a vein. Rationally, he knew the effects would take another ten sips and just as many minutes to hit. But he already felt more awake. “Voted on what?”
    “Whether or not Ella should ask you out.”
    Glad he hadn’t gone in for that second sip yet. Gray’s hand froze with the mug halfway back to his mouth. “Excuse me?”
    Ella glared daggers, but Casey was busy filling her own mug and didn’t seem to notice. “As soon as Brooke noticed you two flirting at the spa yesterday, she texted a bunch of us to get a majority vote to convince Ella to ask you out.” She turned around, looked from Gray to Ella and back again. “I guess it worked.”
    He’d never been the subject of a poll before. As a man trying to lay low and blend in, Gray didn’t like the idea of people voting on anything to do with him. And as just a man, he really didn’t like the idea of anyone influencing a woman on whether or not to go out with him. It should be her decision. And his. Period. It came down to chemistry and attraction and sparks, not a pro/con list and a committee vote.
    “No.” Gray refused to accept that possibility. He had his pride, after all. “Ella did not bring me to breakfast because you all told her to. No freaking way.”
    “Um, yeah. That’s right.” Ella wouldn’t look at either of them. Instead, she hustled behind the counter and filled a platter with donuts and oversized muffins encrusted with sugar. “We’re having breakfast together...well, because Gray kissed me. With remarkable levels of both talent and enthusiasm.”
    Casey snatched a chocolate glazed from the top of the pile, then bumped him companionably with her elbow. “Well done.”
    Gray had absolutely no idea how to respond. This breakfast date was getting more surreal by the minute. Just how much of her personal life did Ella share with her friends? He had a sudden, nightmarish vision of them in a semi-circle, flashing scorecards the next time he and Ella made out.
    The front door slammed. Heels clattered against the pine flooring. “I can’t believe you didn’t call me last night with details. Who is he? Where’s he from? How hot is he? Did you ask him out?” The flurry of questions came from a tall woman in a top just a few shades darker than her red hair. Different length gold chains hung from her neck, and the matching bangles on her wrist tinkled with each step. She looked dressed for work, not for a casual Saturday morning.
    Shoulders hunched, Ella shot him a look of apology. Gray knew it wasn’t her fault. Still, it took a lot for him not to turn and walk out the door, rather than stay and be discussed like a prized hog up for auction.
    Casey laughed as she hitched herself up onto a stool. “Dial the inquisition back a few notches, Piper. He’s standing right here.”
    The redhead skidded to a stop. The frantic excitement on her delicate features smoothed away. She smiled and gave him a cool nod. “I’m Piper Morrissey. And you are?”
    “Graydon Locke.” He felt like he should pop a biceps or something. Maybe flex his pecs. Except that he was so sore after last night’s brawl that he’d whimpered just toweling off after his shower. Gray decided that trying to impress Ella’s friends wasn’t worth the