Page 31 of Kiss From A Rose

At least I didn't need to earn a living. Since I did the books for the B&B and for Malou, I knew that she and I would be just fine, not rich like the Rutherfords but comfortable.

I had started to go to the heated pool most mornings for a swim. I liked the contrast between the heat of the pool and the cool air. It was an invigorating way to start my day.

Leah called while I was setting the alarm on my phone.

"Grayjustcalled and said he won't sign anything until he talks to you," she informed.

"Ijustcalled him, and his assistant told me he was busy."

Leah groaned. "Text him."

"I did, but he never got back to me. The truth is, Leah, henevergets back to me."

"That guy is such an asshole," Leah muttered. "I just texted him, and hopefully, he'll call you. Let me know how it goes."

I wanted to tell her he wouldn't call, but she hung up on me.

However, miracles did happen, and Gray's name lit up my iPhone screen five minutes later.

"My dar…Gray, how are you?"

"Leah said you called? Who did you talk to?" His voice was gruff. There was no gentleness; it was the same,I'm busy why are you disturbing metone.

"Aimee. She said you were busy, and she'd let you know."

"Okay. I'm…sorry, I—"

"Gray, Willow called me, and she and Mike want to spend Christmas here at Angel Island, or they said they'll stay in New York. I said yes, but I didn't want you to feel blindsided. You should talk to herandMike."

"I don't want to talk about Christmas," he ground out. "I want to talk about us. What the fuck, Rose?"

I licked my lips. "Gray—"

"You just left with no way for me to contact you."

"I sent you a text message with my number days ago. You never got back to me."

"What?" I heard him rustle around, and then he was back on the phone. "Fuck. I didn't see that."

Like he never sawanyof my messagesever. I wasn't a bitter person, or at least I tried not to hold on to resentment, and I hated to say things that I'd regret later. Which is why I kept my anger in check to the point that I never let go. But right now, something snapped inside me.

"Of course you didn't. Youneversee any of my messages."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what I said, Gray. I called to let you know Willow and Mike will be with me for Christmas, and I…you know what? The hell with it. You talk to your daughter and figure this out. I'm done."

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, Gray, I'm done. I'm so tired of being there for y'all, and no one's ever there for me. I don't know—"

"I have always been there for you," he yelled. "You got knocked up, and I fucking married you. What more do you want?"

Oh, but the heart could break again and again and again.

"Yeah, Gray, you did me ahugefavor. But staying with you for twenty years, raisingyourchildren, keepingyourhouse, and warmingyourbed while you ignored me, I think is enough payment for thatfavor, don't you think?"

This wasn't me. I didn't talk to anyone like this. I didn't know I had it in me. Malou would be proud. Hell, I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.

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