Page 198 of Choosing You

“And what about his father?”

“I would’ve said no a few months ago, but now I think he’s trying to help me.”

“Then I want you to go back to Connecticut and find out what Garret’s father knows. And if you’re sure you can trust him, I want you to stay there. Stay at his house. You said they have good security, right?”

“Yes. They have security people and a gate around the entire place.”

“Then you need to go there. You shouldn’t be in Des Moines right now with Sinclair here. It’s too risky.”

“Maybe I could stay a few more days. I feel bad leaving you guys so soon.”

“No, you need to go right away. You need to be safe.”

“Fine. I’ll go. But I’m spending today with you.” I hug him, trying not to disturb all the tubes he’s hooked into. “I love you, Frank.”

“I know, honey. I heard you the other day.”

I pull back. “You did? I thought you were out of it. You looked half asleep.”

“I heard you. And I love you, too. Now why don’t you go get Ryan. He’s probably quizzing your boyfriend out there seeing if he’s good enough for you, which you know he never will be in Ryan’s eyes.”

“Yes, I know.”

Ryan goes back in to see his dad. I take Garret to the cafeteria and tell him everything Frank said, including the stuff about my mom and the pills and how we have to talk to his dad as soon as possible.

Garret gets his phone out. “So when are we leaving?”

“Frank said we should leave tomorrow. Will your dad be home?”

“I don’t know. I’ll call him quick.”

I go use the restroom while he calls. When I get back, he’s already making plane reservations. It’s probably costing him $6000. Maybe more.

“Add that to the money I already owe you,” I tell him.

He shakes his head no as he swipes his phone. “My dad’s in New York right now, but he’s coming home tomorrow morning. I told him to meet us at the house and that we had to talk to him.”

“Did he ask why?”

“No. But I kind of think he knows why.” He sets the phone down. “Six in the morning. That’s the only flight I could get.”

“How much was it? Because I’m serious, Garret. I’m paying you back.”

He leans over the table. “By the time you have the money to pay me back, I will have convinced you to marry me and it will beourmoney, not yours or mine. So it won’t matter.”

Once again I’m taken aback by his assumption that we’ll somehow end up together someday. And not just together, but married! I’m sure he’s just saying it to get a reaction out of me.

He sits back, a smug smile across his face, knowing his comment has my head spinning.

“We’re not going to—”

He puts his hand up. “What did we say about any discussion of the future?”

“Fine. But I’m still paying you back.”

CHAPTERFIFTY-TWO

“Didyou ask your dad if I can stay at your house?”

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