Page 17 of The Fear
But…while there wasn’t anyfirethere with Luis…she felt surrounded by flames now.
WithGrady Hiller.
That was just completely insane.
But…Hala kissed himback.
Then…he was pulling away, cursing almost too loudly, and stalking off down the hallway to hide in his man cave once again.
Leaving her behind, watching him, and wondering what in the world had just happened.
Except…Grady Hiller was insane.
That was the only real explanation.
And Hala was just as crazy, too.
She…probably should never kiss Grady Hiller again.
No matter what.
11
Well.Nothing had gotten any clearer, that was for sure. Hala had maybe gotten an hour of sleep after that man had left her there in the living room like that. She’d tossed and turned and stayed awake, thinking maybe she’d dreamed the whole thing. Even though she most certainly had not. Her lips had still been tingling, for goodness sake!
Now, the only way she was staying awake was the caffeine in the coffee she’d drunk earlier. Even though Hala despised coffee, she had to do something.
Now she stood at the kitchen island, dutifully chopping tomatoes, while Greer’s mother chopped peppers.
“Something is wrong with Grady. He’s not acting normal. Which for him…I guess that is normal, right?” Gia said, behind her. Hala was still waiting for Hudson and Ryan to get there. She had an important message from Calvin for Ryan the moment Calvin’s bestest friend ever arrived today. She’d heard all about their plans to go find a wheel or something the next time they were together at the ranch. Her nephew was beyond adorable. Gia’s was, too. She loved that the little boys got to haveadventures together on a wonderful place like the ranch. Just like she and Greer always had.
Now…Hala just needed Gia and Hudson to get together…and make her more adorable nephews, and a precious niece or three. Before the two goobers got too old and everything. They were both in their thirties now. They were a bit slow to the party. Sigh.
Hala had real work to do there.
She was going to have to discuss her plan with Greer and Ayla the first moment she had. This might need some strategizing.
And…maybe she’d discuss whathehad done, too. At least…maybe not with Greer, though. Not considering…that could be very awkward and everything. Hala had made a pact with Greer a thousand years agonotto kiss any of Greer’s brothers. Ever. In exchange, Greer would give up that old crush she’d had on Hala’s cousin Micah so long ago. It had been adeal.
But Ayla…she was most likely—probably?—involved with Gunn. And…hell, Hala just needed to figure out what happened next here.
Did she even want something to happen next?
That was the big question.
The front door swung open. Her breath caught. She hadn’t seen Grady since…the kiss. He had been out on the ranch doing Grady-things somewhere before she’d even gotten out of bed.
Hopefully, in the crowd…she could just avoid him completely.
She wasn’t ready to address the issue at hand, thank you very much.
The knife slipped. Hala almost said a word she wasn’t supposed to say. It had Gia turning toward her, grabbing paper towels and holding them out. “Yikes. That looks painful. Do I need to find Guth, Chad, or Aubrey? We can, I have learned, do full stitches in our kitchen now.”
“No need for stitchin’ in the kitchen,” Hala pressed on the small wound, as Genny’s—and Gene’s—future brother-in-law Charlie and his wife came in, bringing chaos and cooing with them. They had both their twins, and Charlie’s daughter Charlotte with them. Charlotte was like a slightly younger, slightly less redheaded version of Chantal there. Hala had met the other woman a time or two before. Now they hadbabieswith them.
Hala had always loved babies.
“Bandages under the sink in the hall bath, Hal,” Gia said, taking little Chaz from Rory.
