Page 121 of Hold Me Before You Go

Grayson and Rossy stood behind him in the living room. Grayson had his arms folded over his massive chest, his jaw tight, brow furrowed. Rossy, to my surprise, had the same look painted on his face, looking like a completely different man.

Sarah nodded to her husband before spinning back in her chair to face me. “We need to get the kids from my parents,” she explained apologetically.

I shook my head. “Of course.”

My friend stared at me for three long seconds, as if she was trying to memorize how I looked. “See you tomorrow?” she asked softly.

Swallowing the glass in my throat, I nodded. “Yes, please.”

She stood, pressing a hard kiss to the top of my head and murmuring a goodbye. Then, Michael and her left. As soon as the door was closed, Margo let out a sigh. “I’d thought they would never leave.”

“Margo,” Rossy scolded.

She shot our boss a glare. “Not Sarah. Just Michael.”

“He didn’t even look at me,” I whispered, staring at Sarah’s empty seat.

“It’s not you, darling,” Rossy promised, coming into the kitchen.

Grayson followed, silently and swiftly, not stopping until he was standing behind my chair.

“He’s just…” Margo trailed off, looking for the right word. “Processing.”

Rossy nodded, pouring himself another cup of tea. “Would you care for one, Grayson?” he asked, looking at my lover.

“I’m fine. Thank you,” he grunted above me.

Margo looked up at him, and I could practically see the wheels turning in her head. “Thank you for saving my friend,” she said.

Grayson said nothing.

“Also, I’m sorry for calling you a big, stupid man,” she added, looking at me. “I was just angry and worried.”

“Believe me, I didn’t take offense to it,” Grayson returned.

Rossy came to the table then, taking Sarah’s seat. “Are you sure you’re alight, Carrie?”

“Yes, I’m alright.”No, I was not. I was on the verge of falling apart.

“Is there anything we can do for you? Or for you, Grayson?” he asked.

Before Grayson had a chance to answer, I blurted, “I want to go to the store tomorrow.”

My boss’ eyes widened behind his wire glasses. “A-alright, dear. Of course, you—”

“—no.”

“Grayson, please,” I whispered, twisting my neck to look up at him. He was already looking at me. “Please.”

“Carrie, I’m not taking any chances until I get the call from Hayes.”

He was right. I knew he was right. So, I said nothing, only giving him a nod.

Rossy and Margo stayed for another hour, catching me up on everything. Rossy pressed pause on writing his book, but he still made Margo focus on her online classes so she wouldn’t fail. Sarah had barely been into the store since the day I was taken, and according to Margo, she had fallen ill shortly after that.

Maybe that was why she looked so worn down and her voice was off.

Then, after Rossy and Margo left, Grayson and I did the dishes in silence, shut down the house and went to bed.

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