Chapter 19 #2
She raised her free hand to her chest. “My heart is racing.”
“Mine, too, sweetheart.”
“We’re crazy. This is crazy. I don’t do things like this.”
“Neither do I,” he said, smiling as he glanced over at her. “At least I never have before.”
“What did your mom say about you coming to New York?”
“She was…”
“Less than thrilled?”
“That’s one way of putting it, but please know that her issues have nothing at all to do with you. She doesn’t even know you. If she did, she wouldn’t have the first objection.”
“I’m sorry if her concerns are taking something away from your happiness. I hate that for you, especially after all you’ve done for her over the years.”
“It’s sweet of you to say that, but I’m used to it. She’s an unhappy person. Has been since my dad left.”
“Does she know that he’s resurfaced?”
“I told her this morning, which didn’t help anything. She’s furious.”
“With good reason.”
“Speaking of that,” Grayson said as he signaled to exit the highway. “I have to make a quick stop to be tested. Should only take a minute.”
Emma gave his hand a squeeze, wishing there was more she could do to support him in this situation with his father.
“Be right back,” he said when he’d parked in front of a walk-in clinic, leaving the car running so they’d have heat.
Emma watched him go in the main doors and could see him speaking to a receptionist inside.
“Mom,” Simone said from the backseat.
Emma turned to her.
“Is Grayson really coming back to New York with us?”
Emma nodded. “Are you sure that’s okay with you?”
“Where is he going to sleep?”
“On the sofa.”
“It’s not very big, and he’s kinda tall.”
Emma didn’t mention that Grayson would spend most of the nights in her bed. “He’ll be fine.” She was so damned thankful that they didn’t have to say good-bye today. She wasn’t anywhere near ready to leave him.
“I’m glad he’s coming. It’ll be fun.”
“Yes, it will.”
Ten minutes after he entered the clinic, Grayson emerged with a woman who Emma recognized as his sister Isabella. She followed him to the car. He got in and put down the driver’s side window.
“I hear you’re stealing my brother away for an extended vacation,” Isabella said with a friendly smile.
“This is all his idea,” Emma said, returning her smile. The woman they called Izzy was stunning, with curly auburn hair and striking green eyes.
“Have a good time.”
“We will,” Gray said. “Gotta run. We’ve got a plane to catch. Happy New Year.”
“Same to you. Safe travels. Bye, Simone.”
“Bye,” Simone said from the backseat. When they were back on the highway, Simone said, “She’s your sister, right?”
“That’s right,” Grayson said. “I also have Vanessa, Ally and Sarah and three brothers, Noah, Jackson and Henry.”
“You’re so lucky to have all those brothers and sisters. I wish I had one.”
Emma sucked in a sharp deep breath. Simone had never said that before.
“Maybe someday you will,” Grayson said to Simone, looking up to catch her gaze in the rearview mirror.
“Maybe.”
Emma turned to say something to Simone, but she’d put her earbuds back in and was once again watching the world go by out the window. Emma turned back to face the front.
“I take it she hasn’t said that before?”
“Never,” Emma said softly. “I had no idea she felt that way.”
He reached for her hand. “It’s probably all the time with the Abbotts that made her see what it’s like to have a lot of siblings around.”
“Maybe.”
“Hey,” he said, meeting her gaze. “Don’t let it bum you out. From what I can see, she lacks for none of the important things, thanks to her amazing mom, who makes sure she has the best of everything.”
“I’ve tried.”
“And you’ve succeeded. She’s the nicest, sweetest little girl. You have so much to be proud of where she’s concerned.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me. I got really lucky that she was a sweetheart from day one. She makes it easy. For now, anyway. I’m dreading the looming teenage years.”
“She’ll be fine. She doesn’t have it in her to be a monster.”
“Time will tell.”
“What were you like as a teenager?”
“I was as rebellious as I could be given that my mom was sick for most of my teenage years. I got away with murder because they weren’t really paying attention. That’s how I ended up with a dirtbag boyfriend who treated me badly.”
“I’m trying to picture you rebellious.”
“I was quite feisty back then,” she said, smiling at him. “Now I’m a very upstanding, responsible mother who leads a life of routine and predictability and is focused entirely on my child. Until recently, that is.”
“What happened recently?” he asked with a teasing grin.
“I met this guy, you see, and he’s got me doing all sorts of things I’ve never done before, and now he’s running away with me and my daughter.”
“You’re sure it’s okay if I come with you?”
“Yes, Grayson,” she said with a soft laugh, “it’s very okay.”
“If it’s too much for Simone, I can stay elsewhere. That’s not a problem.”
“She’s glad you’re coming.”
“She is? How do you know?”
“She told me so when you were in the clinic.”
“Oh,” he said. “That’s good. That’s really good.”
“I can’t remember the last time I felt as happy as I do right now.”
“I can’t either.” Grayson grasped her hand a little tighter and looked over at her with a fierce expression on his face that had her counting the hours until bedtime.