Page 7 of Could Have Been Us
He nods. “How is Jessica working out there? I know she just started the other week, right?”
I settle back against the couch. “Jessica is amazing. She picked everything up really quickly and has already made some great changes to the way we’re running the front office. The fact that Grayson is so clearly in love with her still makes it a little more enjoyable as well.”
Jack chuckles. “You didn’t see them at the beach house.”
“Them and that damn house.”
“Seriously, it’s magical for them,” he agrees.
I’ve always known my brother’s heart belonged to Jess, and when she left, he took it hard. He closed himself off for a bit and then allowed his pain to blind him to Yvonne’s bullshit. I never thought they were good together, but trying to tell Grayson something he doesn’t want to hear is like talking to a brick wall. I’ve learned it’s best not to even try.
A weird lull falls between us, and the words tumble from my lips before I can stop them.
“I got a letter from Misty today.” Damn it. I should not have said it.
His eyes widen. “Stella . . .”
I shake my head quickly. “I know . . . I . . . I’m sorry. Forget I said anything. Please.”
Jack rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not that I don’t—”
“Jack, stop. I know where you stand, and I was being stupid. Please, let’s drop it.”
After we had given Kinsley over and I had finally stopped crying in his arms, we made promises. We both made our decisions, and Jack wanted to move on. He needed to be able to go forward with his life, putting this behind him. He said he couldn’t look Grayson in the eyes, lie to him day in and day out, if he had any relationship with Kinsley.
I chose a half-in model that Misty seemed okay with. I talk to Misty every six months. Sometimes, it’s a letter, and other times, it’s a phone call from her, but I’ve never once brought it up to Jack. I have no idea why I did now.
An awkward and painful silence falls around us, and I know that Grayson will sense it. I do my best to shove it down and smile at him to avoid questions neither of us want to answer. The one thing the two of us have become exceedingly good at is pretending.
At least I have.
“Are you coming to the charity dinner this week?” I ask, needing to break this tension.
“I’m not sure.”
I nod. “My mother went all out this time.”
“Doesn’t she always?” he asks with the classic Jack smile in place.
“She does.”
Jack turns to me, his elbows resting on his knees, wringing his hands. I can’t remember the last time I saw him so nervous. “Stella . . . I need to—”
Grayson enters, breaking off whatever Jack was about to say. I resist the urge to take a pillow and throw it at my brother to make him leave. Damn him and his horrible timing.
“Am I interrupting something?”
I smile, leaning back against the couch. “No,” I scoff.
He looks to us. “You just look serious.”
Jack’s voice is controlled and even. “We were talking about you and Jessica. You know the fact that you’re both in love with each other and won’t admit it.”
Oh, the irony in that statement is comical.
Grayson sits on the couch, looking a little lost. “I wish I could deny it, but I can’t. I love her, want her, and yet, I know I can’t have her.”
Jack and I look at each other, and my heart aches. Then his voice breaks the very small part of my heart that was still living. “I know the feeling, but it’s best not to let yourself hope.”
