Page 53 of Sighs By the Sea

“I’ll bring my own next time," she says, tapping the toothbrush on the sink, splattering water droplets everywhere. I resist the urge to snap at the sight. I’ll be cleaning this entire room tonight. She laughs at my disapproving noise. "Stop. It's harmless."

My heart does a little twist as her eyes rake over me, clearly liking what she sees. I yank her close and kiss her as passionately as I can, suddenly glad she used my toothbrush. It feels more intimate than anything sexual we could do. Her mouth tastes minty, like a reminder of this new connection, as my tongue explores every inch of hers.

When we pull apart, her eyes are hazy, like she's in a trance. I brush my knuckles across her cheek. A bruise is already forming from where Axe hit her. She insists it doesn’t hurt, but it’s going to look awful by tomorrow. “Next time, I’ll cook for you. Maybe even sneak in a vegetable or two,” I say, my voice low.

“Yum, I just love when a man force-feeds me carrots.” She pecks my cheek and gives me a lingering look, biting her bottom lip.

Before I can sweep her back into my arms, she turns. “Okay, I really am going now.” Maggie has already texted her sister to get a ride back to LA. The two are obviously close if Vanessa is dropping everything to get Maggie home. “And Gray, if you talk to George today, give Lori my number. I want to talk Batman with him.”

My heart skips a beat. She’s talking like we’re already a certainty, integrating herself into my and George’s life. As she slips on her blazer, she laughs. “Breathe, Grayson. Text me later.”

She walks out, and I stare at the front door. Already, a feeling of loneliness is creeping in. My fingers itch to rush after her, to get just one more kiss. I've never been this obsessed with a woman before, and it makes me wonder—what in the hell have I gotten myself into?

***

Later that day, I head into work. Music is blaring as I step through the doors. Immediately wincing, I yell out, "Andy?"

She pokes her head out of her office, the top few buttons of her blouse undone. When she sees me, her face pales. "I thought you weren’t coming in today?"

My brows crinkle low on my face. "What the hell is going on?"

Clearing her throat, she stands up straighter and walks out. Behind her, Roger suddenly appears, his usually perfectly styled hair is mussed. "Uh, Andy?" I ask again, my eyes darting between them.

"He was just leaving," she says, not giving him a second glance.

He wiggles his brows and smooths his hair back into place, then tightens his man bun. "Gotta meet Cap'n Rex. Nice to see you, Gray."

I can't speak, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. Whistling a cheery tune, he stuffs his hands in his khakis and strides out of the office. Miranda quickly disappears into her office, but I’m right behind her. She sits at her desk and starts typing immediately. There’s no way she’s working on anything real. Her keystrokes are too fast, her eyes trying too hard to avoid me. "Andy!" I yell out.

"Oh, right! The insurance," she says, suddenly getting up. Striding over to the file cabinet, she thumbs through a few things before pulling one free. I watch it all with my jaw hanging open.

Stepping in front of me, she holds it out, one hip popped. I stare at it, then her. "Insurance? I find you half-naked with Roger, and you’re talking to me about insurance?" I ask, squinting at her.

Scoffing, she takes the file with her back to the desk. "Half-naked?"

I gesture to her shirt. She glances down, then buttons the blouse back up without even a hint of redness on her cheeks. "He was helping me with something."

"O-ing in the middle of a workday?" I ask.

A hint of a smile tugs at her lips before she returns her face to stoic. "No. Filing the thing."

"The docking plan?" She nods and starts typing again. Obviously, I’m not going to get anything out of her. Though I really don’t want to let it go, I lower myself into one of her empty seats. I rub at my temples. The beautiful morning with Maggie is far out of my mind now. My cousin has managed to shock it out of me.

"Okay, what about our insurance?" I ask, my voice heavy.

"You need to update your policy."

My head raises with a frown. "What policy?"

She slides the folder over and taps it. Snatching it off the desk, I flip it open and read through it. A $2 million policy that goes to Suzannah in the event of my death. "What’s all this?"

"Papa had you insured like five years ago. You didn’t know?" I shake my head and look down at the bottom. Sure enough, Antonio Cardenas’s signature is at the bottom along with Suzannah's. I don't recognize the name of the company, but as some of it is written in German, I can only assume it’s something based overseas.

I close the file and put it back on the desk before getting to my feet. "Woah, you need to call them." Her chair squeaks as she stands up, following me as I stalk out of her office. "Not necessary."

"What do you mean? Gray!" I close my door behind me. The policy was probably sold to Papa by a crook. The entire company is undoubtedly a front for something nefarious. That’s probably why I never heard about it. I will not be touching it with a ten-foot pole. Thinking about Suzannah and even Papa was not on my list of things to do today. Since Suzannah is presumed dead, the money would go to George anyway. So whomever ended up as his guardian—Lori—would get the money until he turned 18. Rubbing a hand down my face, I groan. This is not something I thought I would be dealing with.

All I wanted was to ride the high that is Maggie. And yet, I'm thinking about my own death and money.

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