by Deanna Chase
Chapter 12
Grayson groaned as he drove down the mountain back into town. Amelia had wanted him to stay, and what had he done? He’d decided to embrace his chivalrous side and declined. What was wrong with him? He could’ve followed her into the house. That didn’t mean he had to spend the night, right?
Wrong.
That kiss they’d shared would’ve escalated quickly. He knew where they were headed, and their relationship was too important to him to rush it. It wouldn’t kill him to wait it out, to spend more time getting closer to her before they fell into bed together.
But damn, did he want her. He missed spending time in her bed. The problem was that their relationship had centered on the physical side previously, and he wanted more than that now. She was worth the wait.
When Grayson pulled his Toyota into his driveway, he noted the light in the front window and frowned. He didn’t remember leaving any lights other than the porch light on when he’d left earlier. He wasn’t one for using extra energy. Deciding he must’ve accidentally flipped a switch on his way out, he didn’t think much of it as he let himself into his house.
He’d just dropped his keys into a bowl on the small table near the front door when he heard a familiar voice say, “It’s about time you got here.”
A chill ran down his spine as he turned and stared at the woman who’d somehow found a way to let herself into his home. His oldest friend, Kira, the woman known to the world as Katy Carmichael, was lounging in an oversized chair, holding a mug. “Kira, what the hell are you doing here? And how did you get into my house?”
She uncurled like a cat and got to her feet, her six-inch heels making her just an inch shorter than his six feet. “You didn’t answer any of my texts or phone calls, Grayson. What else did you expect me to do?”
“Not break into my house?” he fumed. The scent of fresh coffee was in the air, and he marveled at her ability to just make herself right at home. He stalked into his kitchen to find that the dishes he’d left in the sink earlier had been put in the dishwasher and there was a bouquet of fresh flowers on his table. “What the hell is this? Did you think cleaning up and bringing me flowers would keep me from being angry?”
“Please. You’re not upset that I broke in. You’re just upset that I’m here,” she countered as she followed him.
He grabbed a glass and filled it with water from the tap. Without saying a word, he downed the cool liquid, wishing it was something stronger. But he didn’t keep alcohol in his house anymore. Not after what had happened in New York a few months ago.
Grayson met her icy blue gaze. Seeing her outside of her posh New York City apartment, it occurred to him that he couldn’t see any traces of the girl he’d dated those few years right out of high school. Kira Jamison had been completely consumed by Katy Carmichael. The pretty brunette with the intelligent blue eyes and soft curves had been replaced by a platinum blonde, with a cool gaze and a too-thin body. The first time she hadn’t fit into a sample size, she’d gone on a starvation diet and didn’t let up until she resembled a runway model.
Kira moved so that she was standing behind him. She placed her hand on his hip and whispered in his ear, “Come on, Grayson. You can’t stay mad at me.” She moved her hand so that it was flat against his stomach, her pinky touching the button of his jeans. “I’ve missed you. I thought maybe we could put everything behind us and try again. I’m always better when we’re together.”
He placed his hand over hers and removed it. “What are you doing?”
“Just trying to show my interest,” she said flippantly as she took a step back. “No need to get testy about it.”
“Did you seriously just imply that you wanted to have sex with me?” he blurted as he turned to face her.
She laughed, her eyes full of amusement. “Would that be so shocking? It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”
He shook his head, dumbfounded as he placed his water glass on the counter and said, “Cut the shit, Kira. We haven’t had that kind of relationship in years. Don’t act like anything has changed just because you brought me some flowers. Now, tell me why you’re really here.”
“I was just messing with you. Chill out, okay?” Her smile vanished as her expression changed to one of pure irritation. “I told you. I’m here because you didn’t answer my calls.”
“You just started texting today,” he said, furrowing his brow. “Are you trying to tell me that you were so worried when I didn’t pick up right away that you flew all the way from New York to California? Because I have to say, that sounds crazy even for you.”
She huffed out a breath of irritation. “Of course not. I was already on my way. I figured you’d answer before I got here. When you didn’t, I made myself at home. Just as I’d expect you to do if you came to see me. Are you really pissed that I had Benji pick a lock for me?”
Grayson was listening to her, but nothing was making sense. She’d been on her way to Keating Hollow? Benji, her driver, had apparently picked his lock and then left since there wasn’t another car parked in his driveway. Instead of trying to guess what she was up to, he grabbed his glass and refilled it then said, “I think we’d better go sit down.”
“Whatever you say.” She quickly topped off her mug with more coffee and then followed him into the other room.
He sat on the couch, placed his drink on the coffee table, and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Kira took her spot on the oversized chair, but instead of sprawling all over it again, she sat with her back straight and her mug cupped in both hands.
The change in the way she carried herself got his attention. Her self-confidence was gone, and she looked very unsure of herself. He hadn’t seen her like that since they were both teenagers. Certainly not since she’d become known as Katy Carmichael. Her entire persona was built around never showing weakness. Not even to him. It was ultimately what had doomed them as a couple.
When he’d first realized she was there, he’d assumed she’d come to Keating Hollow to try to entice him back to New York and to get him to work for her again. He’d been on her payroll, cleaning up her messes, for many years, but after what happened in December, he’d informed her he was leaving and wouldn’t be back. She hadn’t been happy about it, but to his surprise, she’d let him go. He’d naively believed that she’d respect his wishes and let him live his life in peace. He peered at her, unsettled by her demeanor. Something was wrong. Something more than the rift in their friendship. No matter how frustrated he was with her, she was still important to him, and he knew he wouldn’t let her go until he found out the true reason for her visit. “What is it?”
“I think I need to make some changes in my life,” she said.
That seemed fairly obvious. There was a reason he’d walked out of her life. “Okay.”
She bit her lower lip and glanced away, unable to look him in the eye. Whatever was bothering her, it was going to take her a minute to get it out. He sat back on his couch and waited.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since you left,” she said. “And you’re right. My life is a mess. I think I need to take a step back from acting for a bit and reassess what’s most important.”
He blinked at her, completely taken aback. Just a couple of months ago, she’d told him in no uncertain terms that she was living the life of her dreams and she didn’t appreciate his judgment. It had been the morning after one of her friends had almost died of a drug overdose and no one had wanted to take her to the hospital. They’d insisted she just needed to sleep it off. Of course, they’d all been so drunk or high they could barely walk, much less discern if their friend needed medical attention.
Disgusted, Grayson had taken her to the hospital over their objections. By the next morning, when it was clear she would’ve died if he hadn’t intervened, he’d made the decision that he couldn’t be in Kira’s world anymore. He could put up with a lot, but her out-of-control partying and inability to take responsibility for anything was
more than he could handle. He’d been hoping she’d grow out of her party days, but it had started to feel like he’d be waiting forever. “What do you mean by reassess?”
“That thing that happened with Heather… I keep having nightmares about it.” Her voice cracked, and a tear fell unchecked down her cheek. Her eyes were glassy as she met his gaze, and pain was reflected back at him. Suddenly Katy Carmichael was gone, replaced by that young girl he’d grown up with.
His breath caught as he realized that his Kira was still in there somewhere. The girl he’d loved with all his heart wasn’t completely lost. “Heather’s okay, though, right?”
She nodded and sniffed. “She checked herself into a rehab center a week ago. She asked me to take her, but I refused because I didn’t want the paparazzi catching me at a place like that. She called me selfish and told me that I deserved for you to leave me.” Her voice was barely audible as she added, “She said that I didn’t care about anyone but myself.”
They were the same words he’d said to her when he walked out for the last time. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her there was still time to change, to become the person she wanted to be, but he didn’t. He’d said words like that too many times to count, and each time she’d ignored him.
Grayson sat in silence, because if he’d learned anything about Katy Carmichael, it was that she didn’t respond to platitudes. She had a stubborn streak a mile long, and that trait had served her well when it came to the acting business. On the personal level, it had been detrimental. Grayson couldn’t save her. Only she could do that. He decided not to comment on Heather’s remarks. Instead, he focused on trying to help Kira. “Maybe you should speak to a professional if you keep having the nightmares.”
She nodded. “I already am. She told me the first thing I had to do was forgive myself.”
“Have you?”
She shook her head. “No. You were right. I am a horrible person.”
He winced. Had he said that to her face? Probably. He’d been beyond angry the last time they’d spoken. “You were horrible in that moment, but that’s not the entirety of you,” he said, meaning it. She was, after all, still the girl who’d been there for him after he’d left his foster parent’s house, and she had held his hand when he’d finally gone to visit his parents’ graves for the first time. “But we both know I can’t absolve you of your guilt. If that’s what you’re looking for, then—”
“It’s not,” she said urgently. “I just needed to get away from everything.”
“So you came here? To Keating Hollow? Why not your beach house on the Cape or your mountain cabin in Vail?”
She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. When she opened them again, she held his gaze, and with raw emotion in her voice, she said, “It wouldn’t do me any good to go to either of those places. I need to escape the people in my circles. But more than that, I need you. You’re the only one who can center me. Do you think I can stay for a few days? I need a place where no one will find me.”
Why was it up to him to center her? He was starting a new life in Keating Hollow. One that was far removed from her world. Grayson wanted to tell her to stay at the inn, but he gritted his teeth, knowing he couldn’t. Since Silas Ansell had moved to Keating Hollow, there were a handful of paparazzi that hung around. They’d see her for sure, and whatever soul-searching retreat she was on would be ruined. Reluctantly, he nodded his head. “Yes, but this doesn’t change anything. I won’t be coming back to New York.”
She sighed. “I wish I could change your mind about that.”
“I know. But you won’t. Amelia Holiday is here, and she’s pregnant with my child.” He hadn’t meant to blurt out his news like that, but it had to be said. She’d know better than anyone what a child meant to him.
Her eyes widened, and then the color drained out of her face.
“You look like you’re going to pass out,” he said, watching her closely.
She sucked in a sharp breath and pressed a hand to her chest. “Is that why you left me?”
He shook his head. “No. You know why I left. I just found out a few days ago about the baby. And before you ask, yes, Amelia and I are dating again.”
“That’s…” She cleared her throat. “That’s really wonderful, Grayson. I know how much having a family means to you.”
He just nodded, because it wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have with her.
“Do you love her?”
Grayson stood, not answering her. “Come on. I’ll show you to the guest room.”
She sighed, seeming to understand that she’d overstepped. After grabbing a suitcase that was sitting in the corner near the front door, she followed him down the hall and didn’t utter a word when he opened the door to the small room with a double bed.
The accommodations were modest at best, and the fact that she didn’t complain even once as she tucked her suitcase into the closet surprised him. He expected Katy to appear and act the princess like she usually did when things weren’t up to her standards. But when she didn’t, he stared down at her, believing for the first time since she’d arrived that she might actually be serious about making a change.
“Thanks, Grayson.” She leaned in, kissing him on the cheek. Then she patted him on the shoulder and said, “Now go on. I need to get my beauty rest.”
He pulled her into a hug, holding on for a moment longer than necessary, and said, “I missed you.”
She let out a little sob and clutched him tighter as she forced out, “Me, too.”
Chapter 13
“Amelia!” Georgia called from her table near a window in Incantation Café. Her tight curls were pulled up into a ponytail, and she looked like someone out of a gothic movie with her leggings, lace up boots, and flowing violet lace top.
“You look gorgeous,” Amelia said, suddenly feeling self-conscious about her jeans and sweatshirt. It had been a quiet day at the fire station, and she’d spent her time updating the procedures manual. Her eyes were tired from staring at the computer, but she was more than ready for some human interaction.
“Thanks.” Georgia chuckled. “I don’t get out much, so when I have a reason to leave the house, I try to make the most of it. Mind telling me where you got those jeans? They do great things for your backside.”
Amelia felt a smile tug at her lips. “This great boutique back home in New York. I’ll get you the website if you want.”
“Yes, please.”
“Okay. I’ll have to look it up, but I’ll text it to you. Now, why don’t you leave the house much?” Amelia asked as she took a seat across from her new friend.
“I write from home.” She shrugged. “When I’m on deadline, I don’t emerge for anything other than take out. I can get a little feral.” She grinned and took a sip of her coffee.
“I’ll have to pick up a book of yours. I thought Yvette said she keeps signed copies at her store. Is she stocking yours?”
“Yep. They are right next to Miranda’s. The two resident writers have special privileges. But enough about that. Tell me about you and that gorgeous date of yours last night.”
Amelia felt her cheeks flush as she thought of Grayson and that kiss they’d shared the night before. In fact, she hadn’t stopped thinking about it since he dropped her off. If she’d had her way, he’d have stayed over, and now she was wondering how long he was going to make her wait. After all, it had been months since they’d been together. “Grayson and I… Well, we used to date when we lived Back East. When it ended, I came out here. And much to my surprise, he followed. So we’re seeing how things go.”
“Oh, intrigue. I can’t wait to find out why things ended the first time.” Georgia rubbed her hands together as if there was some great scandal to uncover.
The truth was Amelia also wanted to know why it ended. She had thought he’d run because she confessed her feelings to him. But now she wasn’t so sure. He had taken the news of the baby in stride and seemed all in with whatever was to come next. Had
there been another reason? He’d started opening up to her, but there was no doubt he still had secrets. “I guess you’ll just have to wait until Miranda and Cameron turn our story into a movie.”
Georgia threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, I like you. We’re going to be great friends.”
“I hope I can get in on that action,” Hanna Pelsh said, smiling as she sat in one of the chairs next to Georgia. “A girl can never have enough friends. Especially when all her current ones are starting families. Did you hear Yvette’s news?”
Amelia shook her head. She’d been holed up in a snowstorm after all.
“No, do tell,” Georgia said, leaning forward as if waiting for a juicy secret.
“She and Jacob are on their way to the Bay Area to pick up the baby they are adopting. They just found out last night. Isn’t that exciting?”
“Oh, wow,” Georgia said. “I knew they had started the process, but I had no idea it would happen so soon. She’s going to have her hands full, isn’t she?”
“Yep. With Skye running around and the new baby, I fear it’s going to be pandemonium at their house. They’ll both love it.”
Amelia unconsciously pressed a hand to her stomach as she grinned at the pretty café owner. They’d become friendly over the past few months since Amelia was nearly a daily visitor either before or after work. “You look like you’re looking forward to being an auntie again.”
Hanna chuckled. She’d grown up with the Townsends and was best friends with Faith, who owned the town spa and had recently moved into a new house she and her husband built. “Yes, the Townsend sisters are on a roll. Abby’s due in August, Noel’s youngest isn’t even a year old yet, and Yvette will soon have a newborn. That leaves Faith, who hasn’t made it a secret that she and Hunter are trying, and Hope, who is applying to be a foster parent. It’s a lot. Meanwhile, Rhys and I aren’t in any hurry. I think we’ll try a dog first. Maybe.”