Page 74 of Grady

“Holy shit, you’re driving me insane.When I called you Sunday!”

“I lost my phone—” She gasped. “That son of a bitch. He took my phone.”

“What?”

“Grady, I lost my phone. Well, I thought I had. Now I know better.” She paced across the room. “It must have been Sunday. He was at my house when I returned from shopping.” She looked at him. “And from your house to find you so we could talk. Anyway, he came to the trunk of my car, asking if he could help. Of course, I said no, hoping he’d leave. Then I picked up the bags and went inside. Either my phone fell onto the grass, and I didn’t hear it, or he—”

“Removed it from your purse,” Grady said, shaking his head.

“Yes. He actually told you I wanted him to answer so I wouldn’t have to talk to you?”

“Yes—”

“And you believed him?After I told you everything he put me through?” She punched his arm, making him wince. “How dareyou even consider I would do that.”

Grady reached for her. “Savannah—”

“Don’t. Don’t you dare touch me right now. I am so pissed and I’m not sure who I’m madder at. Him for stealing my phone and lying to you, or you for believing him.”

“What was I supposed to think when he answered it?”

“That he was a lying son of a bitch. How dare you eventhinkI would go back to him.”

“Because he answered your phone.” Grady tried to rein in his temper.

“And you immediately jumped to the conclusion that I would go back to him.”

“I think we need to sit down and talk this out.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” She opened the door, then looked back at him, and stared at him. “I am not in the mood to talk to either of you right now. You should have trusted me, not him.” She left the room.

Grady sighed, tilted his head down, and wondered if he’d ever get her back into his life again without messing it up. He understood where she was coming from, and she was right. He should have realized that she wouldn’t go back to a man who blamed her for the death of their child but hearing him answer her phone and hearing him say Savannah didn’t want to talk to him, cut Grady to the core and all he could think now was that he lost the one thing that mattered more to him than anything. The best he could do was leave her alone for a while.

“Yeah, look how well that worked out from the last time you thought she just needed some space.”

Walking out of the office, Grady went through the showroom, out the door, and to his truck without saying a word to anyone.

After climbing into the vehicle, he sat there staring out the windshield. His heart ached knowing he probably just blew it with her for good.

He started the truck and with one last look toward her shop, he pulled out, spinning tires on the blacktop, then drove home. He planned to drink until he passed out. Maybe then he’d get her out of his mind.

****

Savannah watched him walk out the door, cross the street, and climb into his truck.

“Are you alright?” Maggie asked as she stood beside her.

“No.”

“I take it you didn’t work things out?”

“You and I will talk once we close. We’re too busy right now and I need to keep my mind off it for a while.”

“Of course.”

“Maggie? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound bitchy. I just need a little time so I can get through it without crying.”

“I understand,” Maggie said with a smile, then headed for some customers to help.

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