Page 103 of Calling the Shots

“Ulysses was always a very talented athlete. We thought for sure he’d turn professional after college.” Mrs. McIntire sighs, her hair swishing across her shoulders. “When that didn’t happen, his father and I still held high hopes for our son.”

A tiny furrow forms between her otherwise smooth brow. “He was a decent student. He only needed three years of school to practice law with his father. We had absolute faith in him.”

I nod, my throat dry and scratchy.Why is she telling me all this?

“We thought for sure we’d be grandparents soon, too. He and Tinsley dated through college and we had the wedding practically planned.”

Heat flames my face, the wind sucked from my lungs. It’s like his mother just sucker punched me without lifting a diamond-encrusted finger.

“The day they broke up was devastating. Absolutely devastating.”

The tell-tale sting pricks at my nose and the back of my throat. I’m frozen to the spot, don’t dare make eye contact with her.

“We all loved Tinsley. Plus, we knew she came from good people and her heart was in the right place. She has her own family money, she doesn’t need ours.” Mrs. McIntire spins to face me, her blue eyes cold. “Ulysses can be—how should I say this—” She taps the pads of her fingers together, searching for the words. “Rather obtuse about people and their motives. Not that I’m saying yours are bad…”

Uh-huh.

I swallow hard, running my thumb over the smooth stack of bangles on my wrist.

“Ulysses is my only son. He inherits much of this kingdom. We hate to see him squander his many blessings.” She presses her lips together in a tight pinch, frowning.

So now he’s squandering his blessings on me?

I’ve had more than I can bear.

Taking a shuddery breath, I nod. “Yes, ma’am, I understand. Your son is an amazing man.” My voice wobbles and tears prick at my eyes, but I refuse to let this woman see me break.

“I love him very much. For who he is, not what he has. For the record, I had no idea about any of this. He never breathed a word about his family fortune.”

Or his family, but I figure now’s not the time to mention that.

“Thank you for sharing this with me.” I gesture at the Ulysses shrine. “He’s incredible.”

I back away from the wall and his mother, slowly at first. As I get closer to the door, I pick up speed. Then I turn and hurry away as quickly as I can, putting distance between me and Mack’s family.

This is never going to work.

I don’t fit in here. Don’twantto fit in here.

This may be Mack’s world, but it will never be mine.

Jogging down the hall, I burst out into the garden and run down the path to the guest house.

I need to go home.

CHAPTER34

MACK

“Where’s Gracelyn?” I glance around the garden, but I don’t see her anywhere. She’s not sitting and chatting with Emma Kate and Tinsley. Can’t say I blame her there.

She’s not in front of the fire, nibbling cheese and crackers and sipping wine.

She isn’t talking with my father.

And she’s not with my mother and me.

“I’m not sure, dear. Perhaps she went to the bathroom.” Mom twirls the drink skewer holding the bleu cheese-stuffed olive in her martini, avoiding my gaze, her posture ram-rod straight.

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