43. Grady
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Grady
I nearly repeat the mistake I made with our first dinner date—inviting the whole family over as camouflage. I don’t, but I considered it. It’s easier to avoid conflict when hosting a crowd. The noise alone might drive out my anxieties. I don’t like that Leonie’s here, don’t trust her, and know that, chances are, Marina will be hurt in the end.
But my misgivings aren’t shared. It’s all smiles and warmth when they pour into my house. Marina leads, giving me a quick hug. Then, her mom does the same, thanking me for having them over. And Tilly, not to be left out, latches onto my waist before yelling, “Dogs!” and rushing to play with them.
They’ve brought wine and dessert—a chocolate dream cake from Saddletree Farm and Café, which they promise was worth the half-hour drive.
“Especially with the top down in that cute truck of hers—a truck with a name. Beauty is a beaut,” Leonie adds, taking everything to the kitchen.
I seize the opportunity for a quiet moment with Marina and tug her close. “Everything okay? Has she asked for money? Are you letting them stay at your place?”
“Relax, Grady. I think it’ll be alright.”
“Really?”
“She’s different. Better.”
“What about you? How are you with them here?”
She smiles. “Well, it was shocking, but I felt good after we talked. Don’t worry. I wasn’t nice .”
“Good. You shouldn’t be.”
She leans up and gives me a short kiss. “We’ve come to an understanding. She apologized and wants a second chance.”
“Yeah, but for how long?”
Marina shrugs. “I don’t know. Does it matter?”
I nod, glancing at Tilly rolling around the floor with the dogs. Maybe it doesn’t. Marina knows to take her joys when she can get them. That’s a lesson I need to learn, too. To not always think in what-ifs, worries, and obligations. It’s enough to be here and now with the woman I love and basking in the hope of second chances.
“It takes as long as it takes, right?” she smirks. “Let’s show her what family really means, huh?”
My hardened heart liquifies and swirls around her. “I love you so much. Anything you say becomes my new mission.”
She laughs. “Oh, with great power comes great responsibility. I’ll have to be careful not to take advantage.”
“No, please. Take advantage,” I grin.
The evening passes pleasantly. Leonie and Tilly regale us with stories about their travels and experiences over wine, soda, and make-your-own pizzas off the grill. They’re charming, outgoing, and funny, just like Marina. And easy to like.
Marina could be right that things are different. I hope she is.
Still, when Marina and Tilly go inside to get everyone’s dessert, I lean forward, locking eyes with Leonie across the table. “I love your daughter. Her happiness is my own. I’ll protect her fiercely. I won’t let her be manipulated or mistreated—she’s just gone through that, and it won’t happen again. Stay and behave, and you’ll earn my respect, even love. Don’t, and your second chance will be your last with her. Understood?”
She blanches but recovers in a breath, offering a soft smile. “Yes, Grady. Understood and appreciated. You’re intense and don’t mince words. I like that. You care for her. I like that, too. I can’t fault you for having doubts about me. But I love her, too. I’m fiercely determined to win my daughter back, and you better not stand in the way. Is that understood?”
Her brow cocks, and her lips curl, and I can’t help but warm to her. Not only did she match my intensity, but she also seems sincere. Hell, I’m even rooting for her.
I hold my wine glass up, and she grabs her diet soda, meeting me in the middle. “To Marina, then.”
“To Marnie.” She takes a healthy sip. “Let’s get another thing clear. Is it love or guilt driving your intentions with her?”
I scrub my slackened jaw over the surprise question, and that Marina must’ve opened up to her. “Love, obviously.”
“Is it obvious?” Her narrowed eyes focus on me. She flicks her fingernails like sweeping a bug out of the air before pointing at me. “I don’t want my daughter heartbroken again when you feel like you’ve paid your penance and decide you want kids the ol’ fashioned way after all.”
I scoff. “Mothering on her behalf already? You’ve got some nerve.”
“Told you. I’m in. For good. What about you, Grady Tripp?”
I lean forward with my sternest glare. “All that I have, all that I am, is hers. Now. Forever. I love her. Never question that again.”
Her eyes widen, and her hands go up submissively. “Gosh, I felt that in my bones. I guess time will prove it for both of us, then. Huh?”
Marina and Tilly arrive, arms full of plates, and the subject drops. Leonie has won my respect, somewhat, and bothered me at once. I adore Marina—that won’t go away. But I wonder if she has doubts like her Mom. I wonder if she trusts it yet, if she has faith in me. In us.
My mission isn’t just to show Leonie what family means, but to assure Marina that’s what this is.
“Your boyfriend was just telling me how crazy he is about you, Marnie,” Leonie coos. “He’s a sweetheart. Any other single Tripps I should know about?”
“Mom!” Marina and Tilly snap at once.
“What? We’re here. Might as well see what Seagrove has to offer, right?” she laughs.
Marina settles beside me, her hand squeezing my thigh under the table. “How about we explore other amenities first? Like housing? The library?”
“The school!” Tilly chimes in.
The chocolate cake melts in my mouth—definitely worth the drive. But even sweeter is Marina’s hand locking with mine under the table.