Page 11 of Rescued By Love

“Thank you. But I didn’t have to do much. He’s always been so thoughtful. Generous, too. It’s just in his nature.”

I think back to the way his face crumpled in disappointment when I turned down his studio offer. I stare down at my plate. “He is,” I agree around the lump in my throat.

“And he’s just crazy about you, of course. I’ve never heard him go on about somebody like that before.”

My head snaps up. “Really?” I ask eagerly.

“Absolutely. I was starting to worry I wouldn’t get to see him find the right one. He had a few girlfriends, but he never raved about them like he does with you. He’s always telling me how smart and sweet and vibrant you are.”

Has he really been saying all those things? My heart flutters in my chest. I know it’s probably all a part of the act, but I can’t help but be happy to hear it. “He’s pretty wonderful himself,” I say, my cheeks warming. “I was in a really tough place when we met, actually. I don’t know where I’d be without him.”

“Oh?” She frowns.

“Yes. I was actually engaged before we met. My ex was… unfaithful.”

She reaches across the table to take my hand. “Oh, you poor thing. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. It was hard, and it really made it difficult to trust other people at first. But I’m past it now.” And, weirdly, I am. Any pain I used to feel thinking about Jeff is gone. At most, I feel… pity. Pity for him for being so small and pathetic. Pity for me for believing that was what love was. “If it wasn’t for Derek, I don’t think I would have realized just how little my ex meant to me. I had no clue what love really was until I met your son.”

Diane squeezes my hand with a smile. “I’m so glad that you two found each other.”

I squeeze back. “Me too,” I reply. As much as it hurts to think that our relationship is a lie, I wouldn’t trade having Derek in my life for anything.

I jump when I hear the door open behind me, and I snatch my hand away quickly, tucking it in my lap. “Here you are, Mom.” Derek hands Diane a small baggie. “What were you ladies talking about?”

Diane shoots me a conspiratorial smile. “Nothing, dear. Nothing at all.”

When we arrive home, I consider following Derek to his bedroom. Even after our argument this morning, all I want to do is curl up in the safety of his arms.

He stops just outside his bedroom door. He looks nervous. “Grace? I was thinking on the way home… I want to change the rules of our agreement.”

“Oh?” My heart leaps. Please, I beg silently. Please say you love me too.

“Yes. I’m going to get rid of the clause that requires you to live in my home. I realize now how presumptuous that was of me. I never meant to trap you here with me.”

My heart plummets like a stone. “Oh.”

I want to throw myself at his feet and plead with him to let me stay. I want to cry and let him hold me. I want to tell him that I love him.

Instead, I watch silently as he closes his bedroom door behind him, blocking me out for good.

Chapter Eight

Derek

I’m utterly miserable without Grace.

It’s been less than a week since she went back to living at her own place, and yet I feel like I’ve gone through decades of desolation without her by my side.

I didn’t used to be like this. I’ve had girlfriends before, but none of them ever phased me like this. Then again, none of them were like Grace. No other being on the planet is. She’s truly one of a kind.

And I let her walk out of my life.

I didn’t want to. As soon as I saw her leaving, I wanted to fall to my knees and beg her to stay. But how could I? I meant what I said – I don’t want her as a prisoner. Her happiness is more important to me than my own could ever be.

I keep thinking back to what I heard her tell my mother. Her cheating fiancé may have been part of the act, but I doubt it. It makes too much sense. Her pain drove her to my nightclub and straight into my arms. Even though I didn’t know, it’s hard not to feel like I took advantage of her.

The thought of what he put her through lights a fire in my chest. I want to hunt the bastard down and make him pay. How dare he hurt a goddess like Grace? How did he have the gall to throw away the greatest gift a man could receive?

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