Falling Into Grace (37 page)

Chase was always like thirst; I could never drink enough of him. I feel the tears run down my face. I walk down to the water, where it rushes past my feet and splashes against my legs. It feels cold, and I back away, like I do with everything. I walk back to my truck and see the couple from earlier. They look so happy, and it makes my heart swell.

When I get home, I check my phone and see a few missed calls. I have a message from Shane, wondering if I would be able to visit Annie this week. I call him back at work; his assistant answers and transfers my call.

“Hey, Hannah, you get my message?”

“Yes, I was seeing if tomorrow would be good. I’m off.” I hear him typing something and wait for his response.

“Yeah, that’s fine. I figured maybe you could stop by and we could have lunch?”

Why does he want to have lunch with me? I think I’m overthinking the Grace men.

“That sounds great. What time?”

“You tell me. I don’t have any meeting tomorrow, so I can go whenever. Just come over after you see Annie.”

“OK. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I hang up and feel like this is going to end up in some kind of talk. He is going to try to play peacemaker and attempt to fix me. I shake my head at the thought and leave to pick up the kids.

I go in a time warp, and before I know it, I’m taking my pills and going to bed. I see I don’t have many left; I’m going to have to talk to my doctor about getting more. I dread the conversation. I get into bed, stare at the ceiling, and call Grant. On the second ring, I realize it’s four thirty in the morning there.

“Hello.” His voice is sleepy.

“Sorry, I forgot the time change.”

“No, it’s OK.” I hear something in the background. TV, maybe?

“Go back to sleep. I will call you tomorrow.”

“OK. I love you.” He hangs up and I think about what I heard. It must have been the TV. I lie down and fall asleep from the magical pills.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

I
get to Annie’s a little after ten. She looks great. I brought her a present, and she sets the bag down beside her bed to open later.

“So tell me all about the gala. I saw pictures of you and Grant, and I have to say you two look perfect together.”

“It was OK.” I’m too tired to relive that night.

“I heard some gossip. Tell me the story.”

“It’s the same merry-go-round, Annie. Grant is jealous of Aiden. Grant saw us dancing and got mad, blah, blah, blah.” I see her give me a weird look.

“Hannah, I’m telling you this in strict confidence, so it never leaves this room.” She looks at the door as if it’s going to open up any second. “It’s normal for a woman who comes into the Grace family to sleep with more than one brother.” She cringes. I can’t believe what she just said.

“What?”

She starts to laugh. “I slept with John before I was with Shane.”

“What?”

“Yup, a few months before I met Shane, I slept with John. Autumn slept with Grant before getting with John.” I just stare at her, because it’s so fucked up. I can see how easy it is to get tangled up in the Graces’ web.

“Hannah, Grant is controlling and can’t stand the fact that you slept with Aiden, but he will get over it. They all got over it. It may take
some time and a lot of convincing on our end, but he will be fine.” I still can’t believe she slept with John. Autumn slept with Grant. Wow, this is so fucked up. I start laughing.

“Wow,” is all I can say.

“I know. Swear you won’t say anything, because Autumn still denies it to this day.”

“I swear. It makes me feel a little better that I’m not the first one to get tangled in this web.”

“Well, you got tangled in the hardest one. Grant and Aiden. It’s a tough decision.”

“Annie, I’m with Grant.” She looks surprised.

“Shane told me about Sunday morning, but he thinks…Well, I can’t speak for him.” I know exactly what our lunch is going to be like. Maybe I should ditch him—tell him I forgot and went home. “Hannah, follow your heart, and you will find the right person. You never know; it might not be either of them.” She’s right. I might jump ship and find love somewhere else.

“Thanks, Annie.”

The next hour is spent talking about the baby and how she is going to get everything done at home in the Cape. I assure her everyone will help, and I would even go up to help myself. When I leave, I feel like I have found a great friend who really understands me and the Grace family.

I dreadfully drive over to Grace Industries and get stopped by the security guard when I walk in. I explain I’m having lunch with Shane, and he calls up to confirm. Once he talks to the office, I get a visitor’s pass and head up. When I walk into the office, I want to walk right out. I see Aiden and feel the mixed emotions. He is talking to someone, but looks up and meets my eyes. I mouth “hi” to him, and he mouths it back. Aiden heads over as I tell the woman at the reception desk that I’m here to see Shane.

“Hey, you.” He kisses my cheek and pulls me into a hug. I hug him back and melt in his arms. I’m the first to pull away, but he knows I felt it too.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to have lunch with Shane. He called yesterday and asked if I could visit Annie, then come for lunch.” A grin comes over his face. He brings his fingers to his chin and rubs it.

“Interesting,” he says.

“What’s so interesting?”

“Shane is in the San Francisco office. He left Tuesday and is coming back tomorrow.” What the hell is going on? Annie knew I was having lunch with him. Why didn’t she say anything?

“Oh.” I stand there, confused.

“I’ll have lunch with you.”

“I have a feeling that’s what Shane was hoping for.” I shake my head at him.

“Would you rather, Shane?” I slap his chest.

“I’m hungry. What do you want to eat?” I ask. He licks his bottom lip, and amusement shows in his eyes. I look at the receptionist, who has been listening to us, and walk toward his office. He follows me for a few steps, then gets beside me.

“You walk around here like you own this place,” he says, placing his hand on my back. I stiffen at his touch.

“Maybe I will one day.” His office is similar to Grant’s, but has his touches all over. He has a few baseballs in a glass case and pictures from the past on his bureau.

“So what do you want to eat?” he asks.

“I don’t care. You want to order in or go out?” I wait for an answer.

“We can stay in if you want.” When I nod, he calls his assistant and orders sushi.

I lean back into the couch as he sits next to me.

“So what’s new, Hannah?” He is trying to be casual, but I can see right through him.

“Why don’t you tell me, Aiden? Was this an ambush to talk to me?” I see him grin and shift to face me. I tuck my legs under me and face him.

“I had nothing to do with it. I think Shane wanted us to talk.”

“About what?” I play stupid, but it has been eating at me.

“He thinks we have unfinished business.” I touch his arm.

“Do we?”

“No. Not anymore.” He is so matter-of-fact as he says this. “I heard a saying once and never understood it till you walked away from me on the dance floor.”

I’m biting the inside of my cheek. “What is the saying?” I ask. He takes my hand.

“If you love something, set it free. I have to do it. You’re with Grant. The faster I accept this, the faster I can get on with my life, and you can get on with yours.” I don’t know how I feel about this. I face away from him and lean my head against the couch. He loved me. I have to set him free too. I want to be with Grant.

“I’m sorry about everything.” I look back over at him.

“What are you sorry for? I messed it up.” He tucks my hair behind my ear and runs his knuckles along my cheek.

“Thank you.” I kiss his cheek, and he hugs me. We hear a knock and separate.

We eat at the small coffee table in front of the couch like two old friends. We catch up on what’s been going on with Annie and with Grant’s work in Rome. He tells me more than Grant does.

“He comes home next week. I want to surprise him and pick him up.” I look at Aiden to see what he thinks.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Grant doesn’t like surprises.” I think about it and ignore his advice. I think it will make him happy.

“We will see about that.” I see the time and get up. “Thank you for lunch, Mr. Grace.”

“Anytime. I enjoy your company.” We hug, and he walks me out all the way down to the front doors. I don’t even have to ask him.

As I drive home, I feel good about the outcome between us. I know he won’t get in the way anymore, and Grant and I can focus on us. I decide to call Grant and tell him about the lunch. I don’t want
to keep anything from him. Honestly is the best policy. It rings a few times before he picks up.

“Hey, babe, I was just thinking about you.” I smile and marvel at his words.

“Really? What were you thinking?”

“Nothing I can say at the moment. How is Annie?”

“Good. I visited her, then headed over to have lunch with Shane. He invited me yesterday.”

“He’s in San Francisco.” I hear his tone change.

“I found that out after I got there.”

“What the fuck is Aiden up to, Hannah?”

“No, it was Shane, but I did have lunch with Aiden.” He starts to interrupt me. “Hear me out. He knows I love you and only you. There is nothing to worry about, Grant. I mean it. I’m yours and only yours.” I wait for his response.

“I don’t like that you went behind my back.”

“I didn’t. I was ambushed by Shane.”

“I will talk to you about this later.” And then I hear a dial tone. Why is he so mad? I let it roll off me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

T
hat night I wait for his call, but I never get it. I have Shane to blame. I get up early and wait until ten to call Shane’s cell. I hate time zones.

“Hey, Hannah.” He sounds all happy.

“Fuck you, Shane, you set up this whole happy intervention between me and Aiden, and now Grant won’t talk to me. I hope you’re happy.” I hang up on him and put my phone on silent when he calls back. I walk around my room, trying to pull it together.

Three days pass before Grant finally calls me.

“Hello.” I keep my voice monotone.

“I’m sorry I overreacted.” That’s it? What the fuck? I don’t deserve this. I don’t talk.

“Hannah, I’m sorry. I just don’t like the thought of you and Aiden in the same room.” I still remain silent. “Say something, Hannah.”

“Like what? I told you I had lunch with him. I didn’t lie to you. I was honest, but you ignore me for days. It’s like you want to punish me every time I do something you don’t like.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” I’m so angry, I stay silent. “I was mad, and needed some time to think. I know you would never do anything Hannah. I’m sorry. I come home on Thursday.” I can hear the smile on his face as he reels me in. “I want to see you. I miss you.”

“I miss you too.” I try to stay mad at him, but I can’t. I miss him too much, and I want to see him. I think about how I’m going to surprise him, and smile.

“When do you land?”

“Sometime in the morning. Not sure yet.”

“OK.”

“I got you something.” He’s playful. I like playful Grant.

“Good. I deserve it after the way you acted,” I reply.

“Yes, you do. I’m a lucky man to have you.”

“Don’t forget that, Mr. Grace.”

“I won’t. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I will call you later.”

“OK. Bye.” I wait for him to say bye, but he hangs up. I try to figure out how to get in touch with Derek. I should call Aiden and see if he will give me his cell. It’s worth a shot. When I pull up my contacts, Aiden is the first one. I press Send and wait for his voice.

“Hey, you.” His voice is sexy as always.

“Hey. I have a favor to ask you.”

“Anything for you.” I hear him rummaging through papers.

“I need Derek’s number.”

“What for?”

“My surprise.” I hear him hesitate.

“You sure you want to do this?”

“Yes. I can call Shane for the number, if you don’t want to give it to me.” I give him the option of saying no, knowing I’m lying because I have no plans to call Shane.

“I’ll text it to you.”

“Thank you. It’s always a pleasure doing business with you, Aiden.” I flirt with him, not meaning to.

“Yes, it is, Hannah.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“I hope so.” I hear the flirting back and feel bad for starting it.

“Bye.” I wait for his text and like promised, I get it in under a minute. I call Derek right away.

“Derek.”

“Hi, Derek, it’s Hannah.”

“Hello, Mrs. Winterfield, how can I help you?”

“I was calling to see if you could pick me up before you pick Grant up on Thursday. I want to surprise him.” I wait for his answer. Would he say no?

“That will not be a problem. I will call you tomorrow with a time.”

“Can we keep this between us? I want Grant to be surprised.”

“Yes, of course, Mrs. Winterfield.”

“Please call me Hannah, and thank you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“OK, Hannah. I’ll call you after Grant calls me with the details.”

I sit and enjoy my small surprise.

I take the kids to my parents’ house for a barbecue. Summer is in full swing, and the kids finished school today. We celebrate the last day of school with a swim in my parents’ pool. My parents can tell I have found my way again, and I enjoy feeling like myself again. I sit on the steps and watch Hunter jump off the diving board. They are like little fish. My dad is swimming with them, tossing them around. I see my mom make her way over to the steps with her famous daiquiri. I take a small sip, trying to avoid the brain freeze that comes with it.

“So, what are your plans for this weekend?” she asks.

“Nothing. Grant comes back Thursday.” I can tell she likes that I’m talking about him.

“That’s nice. Do the two of you have plans?” I shake my head no and take another sip.

“If you want, I can take the kids away with us.” I think about it. I never would have before Grant, but I think I could use some alone time with him.