Page 83 of Meet Me at the Grand

Aunt Elise pulled back, smoothed a strand of hair behind Dani’s ear, and cocked her head. “You’re not going to like what I have to say right now.”

She probably wouldn’t. But if it meant finally healing, getting past this heartache, not just surviving but thriving, then Dani would do it. “W-what?”

“If you truly want to get right with God and ask Him to heal your heart, the first step is forgiveness. Full and complete, like God has forgiven you.”

Dani bit her lip, shook her head. “I’m upset that Liam’s gone, and so sad, but I don’t really hold it against him. I know he’s only doing what he thinks is best for his family. How can I fault him for that?”

But the skin around her aunt’s eyes creased at the corners as she gave Dani a somber smile. “I wasn’t talking about Liam. I think you need to start where all of this hurt began—with your mother.”

ChapterFifteen

Even if it would be a good distraction, Liam couldn’t find it in him to work today. And sure, it was Sunday, but that had never stopped him before.

Liam reached for the remote on the nondescript, black coffee table and flipped the channel on the penthouse’s big-screen television until he hit a basketball game. He rubbed his left bicep, which was sore from the workout he’d put it through yesterday at four a.m. in the tiny hotel gym. That’s what happened when a guy couldn’t sleep.

And his lack of sleep had nothing to do with all the details he and Dad had discussed last week in the office, readying Liam to take over as CEO. Nope, not at all. He’d even met with the board, all of whom approved of the transition of power. Throughout it all, he’d seen an unexpected and new joy in his dad’s eyes. Relief, maybe, too. The thing his father had feared was coming true, but instead of being terrible, for Dad it was turning into the best thing.

Of course, Marianne had a lot to do with that.She makes me feel like a new man. A younger man. And life has all of these possibilities now.

Liam was happy for him. Of course he was. This was all he’d dreamed about too.

At least, it had been.

Now, though…

He mashed the button on the remote to turn up the volume. Maybe the broadcaster’s voice would drown out the one in Liam’s head telling him he’d made a horrible mistake in leaving Dani behind.

In not trying.

Was she right? Was he a coward?

But he just couldn’t handle the idea of failing someone else—someone he loved.

Groaning, Liam set his head against the back of the couch and stared at the stark white ceiling high above him. Then he glanced around the spotless living room, where white walls and meaningless abstract art mocked him.

There was a beep out in the hallway, and the door opened to Liam’s left, near the full-size kitchen that had been cleaned by the hotel staff just this morning. Every plain white mug, plate, and piece of silverware had been put back in its proper place, and the counters had been cleared.

This place may be occupied, but it wasn’t lived in.

And Liam was sick of it.

Dad and Marianne walked into the kitchen carrying a few bags of takeout. Marianne wore her sparkling pink glasses with a chain around her neck, a scarf, and her black coat, which Dad helped her out of with all the care he’d always shown to Liam’s mom.

Liam breathed out slowly.Thiswas his why—giving Dad the chance to have a life after so many years of taking care of him alone.

He joined them in the kitchen, pasting on a fake smile. “What are you two up to this evening?” Leaning in, Liam gave Marianne a quick kiss on the cheek.

Marianne smiled and patted his shoulder. “Joining our favorite boy for dinner.”

“Unless we’re interrupting your plans,” Dad said, digging into the plastic restaurant bags and pulling out a few containers. “In which case, feel free to go out and do whatever you youngsters do for fun.”

“Chaz, don’t call him a youngster.” Laughing, Marianne swatted Dad’s arm and nudged him aside so she could plate the food. “You make me feel old.”

“You are old, woman.” Dad winked. “But still beautiful.”

Liam folded his arms over his chest, a real smile taking over his face now. “You sure you wouldn’t rather eat alone? The two of you seem quite content to have a date night.”

“Stop it now. You know you are always welcome here.” Marianne’s cheeks turned pink as she opened the first container, which held a salad with tomatoes, red onions, croutons, olives, and banana peppers. She plated some of it and picked the croutons out then placed a roasted chicken breast from the other container on the plate.

---