Page 76 of Please, Stay

Her feet moved on their own. She ran. He’d never come back to Statem once he left. Why should he? Except for Eliza, no one ever came back.

He dropped his helmet to the ground and caught her as she jumped into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist.

She kissed him with every bit of passion and love locked inside. One hand held her up while the other fisted in her hair, pinning her in place as he kissed her back with the same urgency.

This was it. Her last chance. To kiss him. To hold him. The last chance to show him how much she loved him. Her emotions, her heart, clogged in her lungs, making it hard to breathe. Had she really thought they’d shake hands and walk away? Those assumptions were a lifetime ago. Impossible now.

“Juliana!” Her dad shouted her name. Eliza might have said something, and maybe Ms. Iris, but she didn’t care about anyone or what they thought. Only Grayson.

He cut off their kiss, his minty breath fanning over her face as he pressed his forehead against hers, his voice tight like he struggled for the same control. “I might not be allowed to stay for dinner if you push your father this far, Juliana.” He half-laughed. “Not that I’ll ever complain to have you in my arms.” He kissed her forehead as he set her down. “I thought I was supposed to experience a family Christmas dinner. Hard to do if you get us kicked out beforehand.”

Her dad stopped three feet from them. His jaw tightened and released several times. “I need to speak with you.”

She untwisted her sweater. “Yes, sir.”

“Not you.” He pointed at Grayson. “You.” He turned and walked away.

Grayson patted Juliana on the shoulder, but she stopped him when she threaded her fingers through his. She wouldn’t let him face her dad alone.

Eliza, Iris, and Carrie all followed them into the house and then the living room. Good. Her dad had an entire household against him. At least he wouldn’t be able to bully Grayson into leaving before dinner.

Her dad faced the fireplace, staring at the flames while everyone moved silently into the room and sat down. When he turned around, his eyes widened as he took in his audience.

“This is a private conversation.”

Juliana tilted her chin higher. “I’m not leaving.”

“Me neither.” Eliza held Carrie in her lap.

Her dad looked at Ms. Iris.

She crossed her arms. “You’ve lost your mind, Hugh Campbell, if you think anyone is goin’ to kick me out of any room in my own home.”

He let out a frustrated huff. “Fine.” He turned and faced Grayson. “I don’t like some movie star coming into my town and messing around with my daughter behind my back. I’ve told you before—”

“I wouldn’t like that, either.” Grayson’s steely tone was out of character. His expression was hard, and his body rigid. The muscle in his jaw jumped as he stared at her dad.

Her dad returned the hard look. “Then you understand why I’d like you to leave now and never see her again. She has a promising career ahead of her and doesn’t need all the drama that comes along with being with a man like you.”

“Dad, that’s not your decision.”

“Jules,” Grayson said, his hard tone of voice replaced with a tenderness that made her legs unsteady. He kissed her and stepped in front of her. “Actor or not, the first man with any brains who meets your daughter would see she’s a smart, beautiful woman, the same way I did. I had to get to know her. And, I know it’s quick, but I’m pretty sure I’m in love with her. It doesn’t matter to me if that happened in front of your face or behind your back, but my life won’t ever be the same after the time I’ve spent with her. You should be proud of her. She’s an amazing person.”

Did he just say he loved her?

Grayson faced her. “I want to be with you.” He ran a hand through her hair. “But I’m under contract. I leave tonight for my flight out tomorrow, but we can figure this out.”

She nodded with sharp, jerky movements. He still wanted her.

“And after that, I’ll go back to England to start the next season of the show.”

Even though it’s what she knew all along, useless tears burned at the back of her eyes. She was stuck in Statem. He belonged to his career. To the world. Not to her.

“I know,” she mumbled.

“I thought you said you loved the girl.” Her dad pointed his finger at Grayson, his voice raised. “Or is that just some of your fancy Hollywood actin’?”

Grayson shook his head, slow and deliberate. His eyes locked with Juliana’s. “I haven’t acted a moment since I stepped into this town.” He tilted his head down and lowered his voice. “Especially with you.”

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