Page 67 of Grace

I chuckle. “Keep that up and someone’s going to figure out what we’re doing,” I murmur.

His brows draw together. “Are you ashamed of me? I was clear last night that I want to be seen with you. I want to be the man on your arm. I’m not ashamed, but if you—”

“It’s just because things are complicated. Maybe if you werejustmy boss,” I say, glancing down at his fingers laced through mine. “But you’re my ex’s dad too, Daniel.”

“Don’t remind me.” He snorts.

I edge closer. “But I did tell my roommate about you. She’s very supportive, wants way too many details,” I say, then laugh.

“Whatever you want, darling,” he whispers.

Days go by as we spend more and more time together. The lines are fading, our relationship changing as our way of hiding seems to slip through our fingers. We have lunch together regularly, just talking about life, our goals, the futures we have in mind.

He comes home with me Wednesday so we can cook together, have an in-date. Thursday, we have dinner out, and then Friday at five, he approaches me directly.

“I’m tired of this, Grace.”

My ribs tighten almost painfully. “Of me?” I ask, confused, in emotional whiplash considering Ijustlogged out of my computer and we’ve been doing so well, actually spending quality time together and talking.

He chuckles with a shake of his head. “No, darling,” he says, then cups my cheek. “I don’t like when you go home without meor when I have to leave to go to my place. Spend the weekend with me. Stay with me and let me fall asleep and wake up to you.”

My breath hitches as he presses his forehead to mine. “I hate leaving you.”

“I can’t stay with you, Daniel,” I whisper. “I want to, but not… not with Bash lurking around. I’m not ready for that.”

His lips form a thin line and he edges back.“You’re right.”

His warmth disappears, and my forehead creases in confusion as he starts packing up his briefcase.

I want to tell him to come stay with me. I want to introduce him to Ashley. I want to spend more time with him, let him see me in my everyday life and see him in his, but…

“What do you—” I start to ask.

“I’m going to head home and grab a bag. Then I’m going to come to your place.” He says it so simply, so easily that I wonder why I ever doubted this.

I stare at him. “Youwantto be in my house? Where things are mismatched? Where my bed is too small and we have to blast the A/C when we sleep? With all my unorganized books and my obsessive cleaning and—”

“I wantyou.Your home is a part of you, so yes. I want that. I want to spend a whole weekend with you. That’s what couples do, darling. It’s a good thing that I want as much time withmywomanas possible.”

My mouth opens and closes, then I close the distance between us and cup his face to pull him down enough until our lips clash.

We still have plenty to work out, to figure out together, but I know we can and will because these feelings are what matter. We’re good together, and we’ll keep being good together as long as he stays this open with me.

I smile against his lips as I can’t wait to get home, determined to clean some things, to start cooking, and to make sure everything is set up for a full weekend withmyman.

thirty

Daniel

Ihead right upstairs, pack a bag of everything I could need, and sprint back down, trying to make sure that I don’t run into Bash. It’ll be a setup for a fight, because I know it’s only a matter of time before he figures it out.

But Idon’texpect to see Sebastian and my ex-wife standing in the living room as I start to leave.

Bash narrows his eyes at me. “Grace?”

My face falls slightly. Goosebumps rise on my skin, and I grit my teeth. I don’t want to admit to it, but I’m not going to lie about the woman I’m crazy about.

“You’re fucking his ex-girlfriend?” Victoria snarls. “You act so fucking righteous, but you’re screwing someone our son’s age! Do you realize how sick that is? You know who she used to date and how terrible she was to Bash and—”

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