Page 50 of Filthy Rich Bosses

He winks at me. "Trust me, I'm a professional Grayson-whisperer. You go get some dinner. I'll talk to our fearless leader and make sure he doesn't spend the night overthinking himself into an early grave."

"Thanks, Chase," I murmur.

He pauses, his hand on the doorknob. For a moment, that cocky grin fades, replaced by something softer, almost vulnerable. "Any time, Tess. That's what friends are for, right?"

The warmth, the hidden hurt in his voice catches me off guard, and for a fleeting moment, I feel an unexpected pang of something else.

“Chase…” My voice feels too quiet, too uncertain.

I want to shout at him.I don’t want to hurt you! This is hard for me too!But, it’s easier to stay silent.

"You know," he says, voice lower now, pulling me from my thoughts, "If you ever need someone who...well, who actuallyknows how to make you feel something, let me know. No emotional constipation here."

I blink, caught off guard by the sudden shift. The casual nature of his words sends a jolt of warmth straight to my chest. There's a vulnerability there—one I wasn’t expecting from him. Though maybe I should have after the way he’s been avoiding me the last few days.

He put himself out there and I shot him down. It was necessary. It was the right choice. But it doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad.

Still, there’s something beneath the cocky, easygoing exterior that makes me question everything. Even if it’s just for the moment.

Before I can respond, he opens the door and steps inside, leaving me standing there in the hallway, my heart pounding, a mixture of confusion and desire swirling inside me. What did he mean by that? And what the hell do I do now?

I press my back to the wall, trying to steady my breath, my thoughts racing.I need to stop overthinking this. Grayson’s just not ready. And Chase? Well, I don't know what to do with him. Yet.

No.I’mnot ready.Idon’t want this. I need to find an apartment and get the hell out of here.

Chapter 22

Chase

Istand in the doorway of Grayson's office, watching him stare at the wall like it holds the secrets of the universe. His broad shoulders are tense, his jaw clenched tight. I clear my throat, hoping to catch his attention, but he doesn't even blink.

"Hey, Gray. Earth to Grayson," I call out, my voice echoing in the silent room.

Finally, he turns his head slightly, his dark eyes unfocused. "Chase," he says, his voice low and gravelly. "Go away."

I can't help but feel a pang of hurt at his dismissal. This isn't like him. Sure, Grayson's always been the serious one—and, yes, he has been emotionally stunted since he lost Sarah—but he's never shut me out like this before.

"Come on, man," I try again, taking a step into the office. "What's going on? I saw you with Tessa, Grayson."

Grayson's gaze drifts back to the wall, and it's like I've ceased to exist again. The ticking of the clock on his desk seems to grow louder with each passing second of silence.

I run a hand through my hair, frustration building. "Fine," I mutter. "If you won't talk to me, maybe you'll talk to Cole."

Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and stride out of the office. My footsteps echo through the hallway as I make my way to Cole's office, determination fueling each step.

I find Cole hunched over his desk, typing furiously on his laptop. He looks up as I burst in, his eyebrows raised in question.

"We need to talk to Grayson," I say, grabbing his arm and pulling him to his feet.

"What? Chase, I'm in the middle of something," Cole protests, but I'm already dragging him out the door.

"Trust me," I say, guiding him down the hallway. "Something's up with Grayson, and we need to figure out what it is."

Do I leave out the fact that this is more of an intervention than a friendly chat? Maybe.

As we approach Grayson’s office, I feel Cole’s reluctance, but I know this is something that has to happen. Grayson can’t do this alone.

I take a deep breath as we enter the room, and the tension in the air is thick, like a fog rolling in. I steel myself, preparing to say what needs to be said.

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