Falling Into Grace (33 page)

“Please don’t stop on my account. I don’t think I have ever seen Grant this happy or affectionate before.” Grant pulls me back into his body. People are watching us with interest.

“Mr. Grace, you seem to draw a crowd wherever you go.”

“I think it’s you and the dress.”

“I’m going to mingle with the girls.” I let my hand slide down his chest to the top of his pants, then walk over to Becca and Autumn, who are watching us.

“You definitely have a way with the most difficult Graces.” Autumn nods toward Mrs. Grace and Grant. “I was just telling Becca that I have never seen Grant be so affectionate.”

“Really?” I can’t hide my shock.

“Never,” she repeats again.

“Mrs. Grace was never nice to us till you came around. I think you should introduce Becca, or we can make it a test. We should have Aiden introduce her and see how rude she will be, then have you go over and tell her she’s your best friend, and see if she changes.” Becca agrees, so I nod. Becca gets Aiden’s attention.

“Hey, are you going to introduce me to your mom?” I can see Aiden get uneasy at the thought as he shifts from one foot to the other. They don’t see it, but I pick up on it. I’m somehow still in tune with his body.
He nods at Becca, but looks at me as he takes her hand. We watch as Mrs. Grace stares her down and doesn’t shake her hand. I feel horrible that she is treating Becca this way.

“Go save the day,” Autumn whispers in my ear. I can see Mrs. Grace roll her eyes at them, and it pisses me off. Why is she such a bitch to everyone?

“Hello,” I say sweetly as I approach her. “Tori, I see you have met my oldest, and most cherished friend in the whole world.” I smile at Becca and look over at Mrs. Grace.

“Yes, we just met; Aiden was telling me she just signed a large merger with the company. It’s not the best idea to mix work and pleasure.” I shoot her a look.

“Really, that’s not what you were telling me when I was at your house.” My loyalty is to Becca, and I’m going to make that clear. Mrs. Grace looks at me, shocked.

“Well, Hannah, that was different.”

“Why? Love is love. Let Aiden find it where he wants.” I’m not backing down to her. She doesn’t intimidate me like she does the others.

“He doesn’t like you, Becca. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I know Aiden.” Aiden just stands there frozen and doesn’t say a word. I can see Becca’s expression fall.

“You are mean. That was uncalled for,” I snap at her and take Becca’s hand and walk away.

I lead her through the crowd of people and into the ladies room. She heads into the stall. I go into a vacant stall and hear women enter and start talking.

“Can you believe who Grant brought? I heard she was hired help at the estate in the Cape. He has a thing for charity cases.”

“I heard all the Grace men have gotten a ride from her.” I feel the blood leave my face, and I freeze. Where the hell are they hearing this?

“Well, she was hired help. I know she slept with Aiden.” I know the bitch voice, and I fly out of the stall.

“Hello, Carla.” I step in her face and she freezes. “Talking shit as usual, I see.” I look over at the other two twits. “Ladies, you will have to excuse Carla. She is still bitter from her breakup. Keep it up, Carla, and I swear I will have Grant blacklist you from every event from here to Timbuktu.” I get closer to her before I step away; I learned this move from Grant. I can see Becca coming out of the stall with her glass still in her hand. I step away and watch as she throws her drink on Carla.

“Looks like you will have to leave now. Take your flying monkeys with you.” Becca is a pit bull. We walk out of the bathroom with our heads held high.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” I say to Becca.

“No not yet. I want to make him suffer a bit. The dick didn’t even stick up for me,” she says.

“Well then, let’s make him suffer.” I give her an evil laugh. “Thank you for sticking up for me with the old hag.” I take her hand in mine.

“My loyalty is to you. These people are strangers to me.”

“Hannah, would it be bad if I slept with him one more time?” I start laughing at her.

“No…Not. At. All.” We hear that dinner will be served, so we head back to the table to take our seats. I make sure to leave the seat open between Mrs. Grace and me for Grant to sit in. Becca sits on the other side of me, and we chat with Autumn, who is a few seats away. None of the Grace’s are in sight.

“Where is everyone?” I ask Autumn.

“It’s speech time,” she answers, and I hear the emcee come over on a microphone. He introduces the Grace’s, who all walk out on stage. I avoid eye contact with Mrs. Grace. We all applaud them, then the room goes silent. Mrs. Grace steps up to the podium, her sons are on either side of her. I lean back and take a big sip of champagne.

“I would like to start tonight by telling everyone a personal story. A few weeks ago, I came down from the Cape to tie up some loose ends for this event, and in the process, I had a heart attack, which resulted in triple-bypass surgery. I was quite scared, and I’m sure I scared my
sons as well.” She looks over at them, and they all show her love and support.

“Before surgery I prayed.” She pauses. “When I woke up, I met an angel.” I finally look at her. “I met an angel, who cared for me and changed me forever.” She looks at Grant, and he smiles at her.

“As I healed, I got to know her and her story. It is a sad one, much like mine and many of yours. Her husband was murdered last year.” I feel the tears running down my cheeks. I was not ready for this. Why didn’t she tell me? Fuck, I don’t want everyone knowing my business or sob story. Becca’s hand makes its way into mine, and I squeeze it. The hurt is heavy in my chest.

“I admire my angel in many ways. She is confident, loving, and stronger than I could ever be.” Grant is staring at me. The tears keep running down my face. I see Aiden shift out of the corner of my eye and hand something to the emcee, who walks over to me and hands me a handkerchief. I thank him, then look over at Aiden and mouth
thank you
. I feel Grant’s stare deepen.

“She is what my family has been waiting for. She came into our lives and showed us how to love again, and how to be loved. My courageous angel is a mother of two beautiful children who are so filled with life and love. She has experienced such hurt and sorrow in her life, and yet when you meet her, you see nothing but hope and love in her. I have to say I was lost when my beloved Grant died, and I think I still might be. My angel has picked herself up and has showed me there is still light at the end of the tunnel. I just need to keep walking to get to it.”

I lose her there. I think about how I could possibly give off that I have it together. I have been lost every single day since Chase has been gone. My head is spinning with her words. I hear applause and watch as everyone stands up and Becca pulls me up. I wipe the tears away once more, and push my feelings down deep. They all leave the stage and come to the table. Mrs. Grace walks up to me and hugs me.

“You are my angel.” She pulls me in, but I can’t get over how she acted toward Becca.

“I’m still upset with you. Actions speak louder than words.” I pull away and look at her. She steps to the side and takes Becca’s hand.

“I’m sorry, Becca. I wish you and Aiden the best.” Becca smiles.

“Thank you, Mrs. Grace.”

“Aiden loves you, not her,” Mrs. Grace whispers in my ear, and my heart drops to the floor. I must be white as a ghost because Grant steps in.

“Hannah, are you OK?” I nod my head at him and sit down.
No, I’m not OK
, I want to tell him, but I don’t. I see Aiden sit next to Becca. How does Mrs. Grace know Aiden is in love with me? Does she know what happened between us? I want to run, but I’m frozen in my seat. I pick at the food on my plate and listen to all the conversations going on at the table.

“Hannah, you have to eat something; you look pale.” I glance over at Grant and put a bite of potato in my mouth to shut him up. I shift the food around, but I can’t get Mrs. Grace’s words out of my head. He is in love with me? He told me he wanted me, but I never thought he was in love with me. Grant slides his hand down my back. I see my plate has been cleared, and I hear the band start playing a slow song.

“Would you like to dance?” He stands and holds out his hand. When I take it, he leads me to the dance floor. I can see others making their way on the floor. A woman begins singing ‘
At Last
.’ Grant takes me in his arms and starts sweeping me across the floor. His legs are much longer than mine, and I struggle to keep up with him. It takes us a few seconds to get in tune with each other on the dance floor, but when we do, we own it. He spins me and dips me at the end of the song, and I hear people clapping. He lifts me up and kisses me. I stand in his arms for a moment, then break away when I feel a tap on my shoulder.

“May I cut in?” Shane is smiling, and Grant steps aside. ‘
What a Wonderful World
’ begins to play and Shane takes me away.

“You two look happy,” he says, looking everywhere but at me.

“I suppose,” I say.

“You and Aiden looked the same way earlier.” I catch his eye.

“If people looked at us right now, what would they think?”

“Good point, but I’m not in love with you like they are.”

“This word keeps getting thrown around like it’s nothing.”

“What word?”

“
Love
. It’s not a word that should be thrown around. It’s a deep emotion for someone to feel. How do you know they are both in love with me?”

“Brothers talk, Hannah. I would never repeat what they tell me to anyone.”

“That makes one of you.” I look away and feel his stare.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” His voice is getting loud.

“I heard John was the culprit for the fight in the office. He told Aiden something that should have never been shared.”

“I can’t speak for my brother, but I was worried too, when I heard you fooled around with both of them.” His words shoot into my like bullets.

“That’s not fair, Shane. You have no idea what I got caught up in. I’m here with Grant, and Aiden is here with my best friend. Everything is clear now.”

“Is it? Then why was Aiden the one to see you crying and sent you his handkerchief? He might be with Becca, but his eyes are always on you. You are setting up World War Three. I hope you realize this.”

“Shane, how is this your business? I told you I’m here with Grant, and only Grant.”

“I was just making sure.” I roll my eyes. “Hannah, I’m passing no judgment on you. I have never seen either of them so happy. I just don’t want to see either one of them hurt, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.” I feel another tap on my shoulder. I dread turning around.

“May I cut in?” Aiden’s eyes are blazing, and Shane steps to the side.

He slips his arms around me as another song starts.

“Are you OK?”

“Fine.”

“Hannah.” He breathes my name into my ear, and I feel lost.

“Aiden, I’m here with Grant. He is going to get pissed off if he sees us dancing. He doesn’t want me near you.”

“Why?”

“Do I have to state the obvious?”

“I just have one question, and I swear I will leave you alone for the rest of your life.” I finally look up into his eyes. “Did it mean anything to you?”

I see Grant staring at us. I struggle as I look at the man I’m falling in love with, and the man holding me.

“Did it mean anything to you?” I ask. I can feel my heart pick up its pace.

“It meant everything.” I think he might kiss me, so I pull away and walk off the dance floor, leaving him standing alone. I see Grant heading toward me, so I make a beeline for the bar.

“I need two shots of Patron, please.” The bartender nods and pours me two shots. I take them back to back and feel the warmth as they go down. I need more.

“Can I please have a bourbon?” I take the drink and turn around to find Grant standing behind me.

“I told you, no more Aiden. What the fuck was that?” He makes sure to keep his voice low and his face shows no emotion.

“What the fuck was what? We danced, and if you noticed I walked away.”

“Hannah, I told you I didn’t want you talking to him or being around him.”

“Are you jealous of him?” If Grant and I are going to make this work, we need to get this out in the open.

“Well, you already fucked him, Hannah.” I want to slap him but refrain from making a scene.

“That’s all I needed to hear, Grant.” I walk away, but he grabs my arm. I keep walking and he doesn’t let go. I try to shake him off, but his grip tightens.

When I finally reach the table, I grab my clutch. “Let’s go,” I say to Becca. That’s all I say, and she is up, and following me.

“Grant, let go of me.” I try to pull my arm away.

“No, we need to talk.” He picks up his pace so he is next to me. He follows me all the way outside. I keep walking, even though I have no idea where I’m headed.

“Hannah.” I turn around and slap him right across his face. He stands there, shocked, and Becca steps back.

“I’m not doing this, Grant.” He grabs me around the waist.

“Hannah, I didn’t mean it.”

“Yes, you did. You are going to throw it in my face whenever you feel insecure, and by the looks of it, I’ll be hearing often about how I fucked Aiden.” I turn and face him.

“I fucked your brother, Grant. I can’t change it, but I choose you, not him.” I point my finger into his chest.

“I still don’t like it.” His eyes are still dark, showing the storm within him hasn’t subsided.

“I can’t change the past. Never once have I said, Grant, you cheated on Carla with me, so that makes me think you will cheat on me.” I get angrier and sarcastic.

“I never cheated on you. I was never with you. What I did in the past is in the past. I can’t change it,” I yell.

“It’s my brother, Hannah.”

“Well, side with him, Grant. I’m done with all of this.” I wave my hand in the air and see my bracelet. I start to take it off.

“Hannah, don’t be stupid. It’s yours.” I throw it at him.

“And I was yours.” Becca has stopped a cab, and I walk away and climb in. I watch Grant run his fingers over the bracelet. He doesn’t even try to stop me, and this breaks my heart. It breaks my heart because I am the one to blame for all of this. This is all my fault, and I have no idea how to fix it. I am weak, and because of my weakness I am walking away from the best thing that has ever happened to me. I feel the pieces of my heart fall to the ground, and I leave them all around Manhattan as we drive.