Chapter 10 Greyson
GREYSON
Throughout the day, my every thought lingers on Penny, making me good for damn near nothing. Thankfully, Duke picks up the slack and I’m able to coast through work on autopilot.
Soon, we’ll be a family, going to doctor visits together, designing a nursery. It’ll all come together. I just need to give it time.
As I head into Prosper Manor, where I’ve been staying, Axel stops me, his expression hard with betrayal.
“We need to talk.”
Clearly, he’s furious, and I know exactly why. He’s been crushing on Penny for years, but he never acted on it.
“Tell me what it is you have to say so we can both get on with our evenings.”
He looks at me a long moment before spitting out, “How long?”
“Since we went down to the reception in Hollis.”
Axel’s brow furrows. “Bullshit. I know she’s pregnant.”
“We weren’t together when that happened.”
“But it’s yours.”
“It is.”
“Then why? How?”
“It wasn’t to hurt you, if that’s what you’re thinking. We were at a party, and I got drunk enough that I acted on feelings I’d been trying to avoid.”
“You had feelings for Penny?”
I sigh, tilting my head down. “They were there from the moment I met her, but she was only eighteen then. I can’t say what happened is right, but I’m trying my damnedest to be a good man for her.”
“Well, you better keep trying,” Axel snaps before turning and storming off.
I continue to my room and change into a suit I had made especially for this occasion.
It cost a pretty penny in the short timeframe, but I don’t want to wear a single thing I wore while taking another woman out.
I’m going all-in with Penny. Even if she decides she doesn’t want me, I’ll forever be hers.
I press my eyes closed and remember how she looked at me this morning. Her desire was palpable, and my cock was ready and rearing, but I held off.
It was Duke who suggested I take her on at least three dates before continuing with anything physical, and while it’s pure torture, I can’t help but feel it’s the right thing to do, because there needs to be more than just sex between us.
When I pull up to my house, she’s waiting outside for me, looking picture-perfect in full hair and makeup.
She meets me at the passenger side door with a giddy smile on her face.
“Looks like someone is a little overeager,” I tease.
“I just know you’re going to bring me to someplace with an amazing steak.”
“I could just take you out to the field again.”
“And I wouldn’t complain.”
I help her into my truck, touching her rear as she climbs in. There’s an excited glint in her eyes that she tries to hide, and its presence fills me with hope.
I make small talk as I drive. Penny chatters nervously, but looks happier than I’ve ever seen her.
I pull into Alessio’s, an Italian restaurant that I know will hit the spot. After appetizers, she orders a steak and fettuccine Alfredo, which I know are her two favorite foods.
“What did you think of the candidates I sent over?”
“They’re fine, but I’m not sure they’ll be able to fill your shoes.”
“Really?”
“We’re beginning to realize just how valuable you were, and we may have to hire two people to replace you.”
“Or you can just give me my job back.”
“Not happening, but when things are more settled, perhaps we can give you a promotion.”
“Wow, I’ve never had nepotism work in my favor before.”
“It’s not nepotism, Penny. You’re amazing at what you do, and we should have realized that sooner.”
“I won’t argue with that.”
Our conversation flows freely, never feeling awkward, bringing me real hope for our future together.
She groans when she’s done, blotting her mouth as she pushes her plate away. “That was delicious.”
“What are we doing for dessert?” I ask. “I know you like chocolate, but would you rather go with cake or brownie, or parfait?”
Penny leans back in her chair and cups her belly on each side. “I can’t.”
“But you must.”
“Seriously, Grey—I’m about to explode.”
“There’s no rush.”
She licks her lips. “If any of them could tempt me, it would be the brownie.” She gets up from her seat. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe my bladder is being assaulted.”
I smile as I watch Penny make her way to the bathroom. There’s a slight waddle to her gait that most wouldn’t notice, and I only do because I’ve been watching her for years.
“Would you like me to clear this?” the waitress asks, gesturing to the empty plates.
“Yes, and could you bring out every dessert you have with chocolate in it?”
She smiles. “Certainly.”
After she steps away, I reach into my coat pocket to remind myself what this is all about.
I know better than to pull out the ring at this restaurant, but having it with me gives me the courage to go forward and win Penny over the way that I need to.
Knowing it could take years to prove myself has me frustrated, but this isn’t a race.
“Greyson Prosper!” an enthusiastic voice calls. “Fancy seeing you here!”
I turn to see Eddy Rae, an actress I took on a few dates five years ago, micro-stepping over in dangerously high heels.
People turn to look at her as she walks toward me, her blonde hair teasing her shoulders playfully with each ridiculous step.
Dammit.
Having grown up a few towns over from Perish Prosper, she comes down a few times a year and always makes a trip out to the ranch, hoping for another date.
She’s taken every opportunity to insinuate to the media that we are together, which was a total lie, but I tolerated it on account that I didn’t want to buy into the drama.
To avoid her antics, I act busy when she’s around. But that won’t work anymore. Not with Penny in the picture.
I decide against standing, not wanting to encourage any form of interaction with the starlet. Not that I think she’ll get the hint.
“Gosh, it’s been nearly a year since we’ve seen each other,” she chirps when she reaches me. She’s wearing a red dress that dips low at the neckline, revealing a newly enhanced chest that’s sure to get her a lot of attention.
“Hello, Eddy,” I deadpan.
An uneasy look washes over her face when she realizes how unhappy I am to see her, but her smile returns, along with a waggle of her brow.
“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately.”
“Of course you have.”
“And I was hoping you’d think about accompanying me to an award show next month.”
“I don’t think my fiancée would appreciate that,” I say, hoping she gets the point.
Her jawline tenses. “Fiancée?”
“Yes, now I’d like to get back to my meal.”
Her head tilts to the side and I see a glint of her teeth as she mumbles something under her breath.
Not caring a lick about what she has to say, I return my eyes forward, hoping she gets the point, but a startled gasp grabs my attention.
As I glance up, Eddy’s arms stretch toward me, wrapping around my neck as she falls, landing on my lap.
PENNY
This is happening.
Like really happening.
Me and Greyson are a thing.
And I don’t think it’s just because of the baby.
My cheeks hurt from all the smiling I’ve been doing, but I can’t seem to stop. Everything just feels good, from my overly-stuffed belly to the fluttering in my chest.
Greyson was right to take a step back before moving forward, because suddenly being around him twenty-four-seven made things between us feel disingenuous. We need time apart just as much as we need time together, so that one day we can merge our lives without doubting what we really want.
I dry my hands and walk back out into the dining area, but it’s not just Greyson I see at our table.
Perched on his lap is Eddy Rae, a local B-list actress who is very familiar with Greyson.
While they’re not dating, she makes a point of visiting the ranch a few times a year to hang out with Grey, and from the looks of it, she has no intention of stopping.
A sick feeling twists in my gut. A mixture of jealousy and despair that seems to swell, infecting other areas that were joyful just a moment ago.
I know Greyson didn’t invite her here. He’s not one for drama, and I know he’s giving us all he’s got.
But she’s here anyway, reminding me of Greyson’s past.
And it makes me feel small. Insignificant.
How can I compete with the likes of Eddy Rae, with her plush, pouty lips and perfect body? I can’t, and when she sees me waddling back to the table, she’s going to laugh, because that’s what girls like her do.
And while Greyson will no doubt shoo her away, there will be other girls like her. A long line of them. And I don’t know if I can take that brand of torture.
Before he can spot me, I back away, exiting the restaurant from a side door.
After three rings, Karmen picks up her phone.
“What’s up?”
“Do you think you can come get me from Big Blue’s Gas Station off of the main road?”
“Big Blue’s? Why the hell are you there?”
“Doesn’t matter. Can you get me or not?”
“Of course! I’ll be there in twenty.”
After I hang up, I pull up Greyson’s text box.
Penny: It’s been great, but I don’t think this is going to work. I’ll call in a few days once I have things figured out.