Page 30 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

The car slowed, and I saw her glance in my direction. Her eyes widened in recognition, and she pulled over near the curb, parking just a few feet away.

I jogged over, grinning despite myself. “You found me.”

She stepped out of the car, looking a little flustered but radiant all the same. “I had to,” she said, her voice tinged with relief. “I Googled you a while back. I found The Horizon Foundation and saw this address. I hoped you’d be here.”

I motioned toward the café. “Come inside so we can talk. I’ve been talking with my friend and the insurance adjuster.”

As we walked in, Roy looked up, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “This the Elena?”

“Yeah,” I said, unable to hide my pride. “Elena, this is Roy. He’s been helping me figure out what happened with the fire.”

Roy nodded, standing to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Elena. Cory’s told me about you. And don’t worry—the fire looks like it was just bad luck. No foul play.”

Elena smiled, relief crossing her face. “That’s good to hear. I’m glad you have someone like Roy to help.”

Roy chuckled. “Well, I’m glad Cory found me at home when he came looking for some help. The timing was perfect. Anyway, I should get going. Let you two catch up.”

I clapped Roy on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.”

He waved us off as he left, leaving me alone with Elena in the bustling café. I turned to her and took in the twinkle in her green eyes. “So,” I said, leaning against the table. “You got my text?”

“Yes, and I couldn’t just sit in Cedar Cove, not knowing. I had to see if you were okay. I mean…”

I grabbed her hand. “I’m glad you came. Is Jake alright?”

“Yes. Sarah volunteered to take care of him while I went looking for you.”

“I’m sorry. I was hoping to spend yesterday with you and Jake.” I gestured toward the counter. “Let me get you a coffee.”

“I could use one,” Elena said, leaning back in her chair.

The café buzzed around us—murmurs of conversations, the hiss of the espresso machine, the clinking of cups—but all I could focus on was Elena. She sat across from me, her hands wrapped around her coffee cup, her eyes searching mine for answers.

“So,” she said, breaking the silence, “this is where you work? The Horizon Foundation?”

I nodded, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah. Well, it was until the fire.”

She tilted her head. “Cory, I’ve been trying to piece everything together since you came back. There’s so much I don’t know about your life.”

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a deep breath. “I know, and that’s on me. I should’ve told you more before now. But I wasn’t sure how you’d react or if Jake would accept me.”

“Told me what?” she asked with a furrowed brow.

I met her gaze, deciding it was time to lay it all out. “Do you remember my grandfather, Mark? He lived in Oklahoma City.”

She nodded slowly. “Of course. I met him a few times. He was always kind to me. I remember once he tried to teach me how to play ping-pong in your basement. Is he still living?”

“No, died soon after I returned from Japan.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I liked him,” Elena whispered, touching my hand.

“Well, there’s more, a few years before he passed, he struck it rich. Oil leases he’d held onto for decades finally paid off. By the time he died, he was worth billions.”

Her lips parted slightly, and I saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes, though she quickly schooled her expression. “Billions?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice quieter now. “And he left it all to me.”

She blinked, staring at me for a moment like she was trying to process the weight of what I’d just said. “I didn’t realize… My folks mentioned something about it, but even Mom wasn’t sure if it was true.”

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