Page 7 of Falling for Grace

And do you know what hurt the most? That’s what it had looked like: “love.” He had been pictured looking at her in the same way he looked at me.

I had snuck out of his bed. I hadn’t said goodbye, and I hadn’t answered his calls since then.

He knew me better than to put me in that situation.

I wasn’t that sort of a girl.

I didn’t think he was that sort of a guy.

But it turns out people change.

Chapter 3

“Gracie, my girl.” Ted’s bellowing voice greets me as soon as I set foot on their patio, which runs the length of the house, covered by a wooden frame thick with vines, giving the spot a Mediterranean feel. Ted sits at the head of the long wooden table with his golf clubs within arm’s reach to show off. People spill out from the patio to the garden, mingling and chatting.

My eyes are automatically drawn toward a certain Mr. Holder who is with his brother talking in hushed tones. One guess what they’re discussing.

Danny is giving him a talk. I know he is. He’s had two glasses of rosé and is now trying to be my knight in shining armour, protecting my poor little heart from his big bad brother.

God, I love that boy.

Both those boys.

I turn my attention back to Ted, smiling as I try to make my way over to give him a birthday hug. I take in everyone sitting around the table. My mum is there next to Ted and gives me a wave before turning her attention back to our other neighbour Laura, it’s nice to see her looking so relaxed with her friends, her steely grey eyes shining with happiness. Her hairs short styled in a bob, and a couple of shades darker than my own, she’s casual in linen trousers and a blue blouse.

“I’m never going to make it, Ted,” I say, giving up after I squeeze past a third person.

“But you haven’t seen my golf clubs,” he says, reaching over and trying to pull one out of the bag. An arm slinks around my shoulder, and I look up into the blue eyes of Danny.

“Dad, Gracie doesn’t want to see your sodding golf clubs.”

“Here, Grace,” Mum says, standing up. “Come and take my seat, I need to go help Sue.” She kisses my cheek hello as she walks past me.

“Brandon!” Ted bellows across the garden. “Did you see Gracie is here?”

Brandon’s eyes meet mine, his gaze then lingers on my body, making me look down.

“Yes, we’ve seen each other already,” I say, as I slide into the chair next to Ted. “So, are you having a nice day?” I ask, taking in his slightly flushed complexion. He looks just like an older version of Brandon. His eyes are green, his dark hair greying at the side. I’ve seen pictures of Ted in his prime and, well, Sue was a very lucky lady.

“I am. I’ve got Sue, both my boys, and now my girl is here. What more could a man ask for? Apart from a top-up.” I laugh and take his empty beer glass.

“Here,” I say, reaching into my bag. “I’ve got you your favourite.” I pull out a Montecristo cigar and pass it over to him. He looks down at the cream tube and smiles widely.

“You know what I’m going to ask you?” he says.

I nod, grinning. “Of course, I’ve got enough for all of us!”

He claps his hands together and flops back into his chair. “Perfect. Just perfect. It’s become an unofficial tradition.”

“That’s not the only tradition, Dad,” Danny says, leaning over me and passing his father another beer. “Don’t roll your eyes, Grace.” He flicks my nose.

“I’m going to kill you by the end of the night, by the way.” I bat away his hand.

“Ah, you love me, baby girl.”

I roll my eyes again and sit back, taking another swig of wine. I’m going to be pissed before I’ve even eaten, but I think alcohol may be needed to get me through today.

Danny perches on the chair next to me and continues to keep me well topped up as I fill Ted in on my promotion, working as a HR Senior Advisor at the headquarters of an Oil Technology company based up the road.

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