Page 24 of Masked Love

Do you hear that sound? That’s the sound of me falling harder.

If we didn’t end up working out, it was really going to sting.

His grandfather’s home wasn’t too far, but we were in a very wealthy area of the city. The beautiful street was lined with massive live oaks and million-dollar homes.

Soon, the SUV stopped in front of a large home that looked straight out of a darker time in our history. It was white with a long porch in the front and live oak trees covered in swaying Spanish moss.

My stomach clenched with nerves now that we were here. I understood what Xander had said, but this was his family. If his family hated me, then… I didn’t want to think about it.

“Hey, I know that look.” He took my face in his hands and pressed a small kiss to my lips. “It’s going to be okay. Remember what I said. No matter what, you and I are together.”

I nodded and didn’t argue the fact that he couldn’t turn his back on his family for me. I wouldn’t let him. It was also a big promise for us, only having been together for a few weeks. “Okay.”

“Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Xander grabbed my hand, which he did all the time, grounding me and helping to calm my nerves.

We walked along the sidewalk to the front door, and Xander walked right in.

Here goes nothing.

Despite all my reassurances to Greyson, I was nervous, too. I wasn’t entirely sure Grandfather would like him. He would rather me choose someone already wealthy, no doubt, because he didn’t want anyone taking advantage of my money. My biggest hope was that since I was fulfilling his wishes, he would only want me to be happy and that there had been no stipulations on the financial status of my chosen partner. But he could be a stubborn old man.

His home was well-lit with soft lighting, and it was filled with the aromas of something that had been cooked in red wine. I chuckled when I heard Greyson’s stomach growl loudly.

“Ignore him. He’ssorude,” he whispered, making me laugh harder.

We passed the grand staircase and headed left toward the parlor where I knew Grandfather would be. He loved the old room where my grandmother used to play the baby grand piano. She passed away about ten years ago.

I found him sitting in his wheelchair by the fire with a red and black plaid blanket over his legs. His white hair was thin and wispy, but he wasn’t completely bald. Considering he was ninety-one, he was sharp as a tack despite his body failing him.

“Hello, Grandfather,” I said, kissing his cheek.

He looked up and eyed me with shrewd hazel eyes. “Xander. It’s good to see you, son. So, let’s have a look at him.”

My grandfather never wasted precious time, always getting to the point, which was also why I drove him crazy by taking my time to find someone. I just wanted it to be the right person. And I’d finally found him.

I tugged him in front of my grandfather. He smiled at the older man and held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you finally, sir. Xander has told me all about you and all good things, I assure you.”

“This is Ansel Hayes, Grey. The love of my life.” I winked at my grandfather, who scoffed but couldn’t hide the humor in his rheumy eyes.

Grandfather took his hand, and they shook. “Good-looking lad, a strong handshake, but didn’t crush my hand, and polite. Well, let’s eat and discuss things at the dinner table. Xander, would you mind?”

I stood behind him, unlocked the wheels of his chair, and pushed him into the formal dining room. The servers set the table and placed shallow bowls filled with braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, carrots, and red wine sauce, with a salad and warm bread on the side. It was good stuff.

I placed Grandfather at the head of the table and sat down next to him, with Greyson sitting on my right.

“This looks amazing,” Greyson said.

I nodded. “It’s my favorite.”

The staff poured us all some red wine, and we were ready to eat. I took a large bite of the stew, and Greyson followed my lead.

“Now that we’re settled. Tell me, Greyson, what do you do for a living?”

My partner looked at me with his nervous brown eyes. “Uhm, I’m Xander’s personal assistant.”

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