Page 77 of The Corner of Heartbreak and Forever
Brindle choked on her juice.
Grace turned flushed cheeks toward Reed. Her confirming smile was not missed by her sisters, who went wide-eyed seconds before falling into hysterics. Reed stifled a chuckle.
Pepper rolled her eyes. “I meant that he treated Grace like a diamond before he even had a penny, with flowers and protecting her reputation.”
“Aw, isn’t that the sweetest and truest thing anyone could say?” Marilynn put her hand over her heart. “I wish you were here so I could hug you, honey.”
“Me too,” Grace said. “I miss you, Pep, and you, Axsel.”
As Reed took in Grace’s family, he was glad he’d made the call and invited Frank last night. Even though Frank had already settled in for the night and wasn’t able to make it, Reed had heard deep appreciation in his voice. Reed wanted Grace to meet him and had invited Frank to come over to his house at eleven thirty, after they visited with Grace’s family. Reed still wasn’t sure where Frank should fit into his life or of his own emotions toward him. But as he listened to Grace and her family discussing ideas for their wedding, Cade came to Reed’s side and said, “Welcome to my estrogen-filled family, son,” and he realized he could never have too many people who cared for them.
“Thanks, Cade. Maybe someday Grace and I will give you a few grandsons to even things out.”
“Did I hear something about grandbabies?” Marilynn’s smile lit up her whole face. “Sophie’s baby shower is tomorrow. I bet Lindsay and Nana would be happy to make it a double!”
“What?” Grace spun around with a confused, though delighted, expression. “Babies?”
“Now you’ve done it,” Cade said for Reed’s ears only.
“Someday, baby.” Reed reached for Grace and drew her into his arms. “I said someday.”
“Someday,” slid off her tongue in a whisper with a hefty amount of relief. “We can’t live in separate states when we have kids.”
Worry washed over her beautiful face, bringing Reed’s lips to hers in a tender kiss. “We’ll figure everything out. There’s no rush. First we build the foundation and get married, and then I’m taking you on an amazing honeymoon.Thenwe’ll figure out the rest.”
“You make it sound so easy and doable,” she said with a sweet smile.
“Loving you is easy, baby. That makes anything doable.”
“Sorry, sis, but I seriously think I just fell in love with your fiancé,” Amber said.
“Me, too,” Sable said. “And I don’tdolove.”
“Yeah, put me on that love list,” Axsel teased. “Dang, bro. You really know how to make ’em fall.”
“Oh, heck no.” Grace threw her arms around Reed. “First of all, Axsel, he’sstraight. And the rest of you? Keep your paws off my man, or youwillsee me turn wild.”
Reed buried his face in her neck as her family went wide-eyed in shock. “Baby, that was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Grace’s phone rang. “That’s probably Sophie. I promised to come by after we meet Frank to help decorate for the shower.” She dug her phone from her pocket and glanced at the screen. All the joy drained from her face. She turned the phone toward Reed, and he saw Satchel’s name.
“Tell Soph to come over,” Morgyn called after Grace, who was walking into the living room to take the call.
Brindle waved a croissant and said, “And tell her to bring that hot husband of hers!”
“It’s not Sophie,” Reed said. “It’s work.” His gut twisted in irritation over the casting director not handling his own responsibilities and Grace being drawn into what seemed like every little thing these last few days. Not that he minded Grace doing her job, and apparently hand-holdingwaspart of her job. He was proud of her for her dedication to the production, even when she was supposed to have time off. But she’d claimed to havelittledowntime, and he was beginning to wonder if even that was an understatement.
GRACE WAS NOT a crier, despite the tears she’d shed over the past few days, when it seemed years of emotions had come bubbling up. But as she ended the call with Satchel after agreeing to return to the city as soon as she could pack her bags, she was powerless to stop tears from falling. She sank down to the arm of the couch, trying to regain control as she thought of leaving Reed and her family, missing out on meeting Frank, and missing Sophie’s baby shower. But the unfairness of it all was too much, and she could do little more than bury her face in her hands and weep.
“Baby? What happened?” Reed pulled her into his arms.
“I have to—” Sobs stole her voice as he caressed her back, telling her that whatever was going on, it would be okay.No! It won’t!She heard the words in her head, but every time she opened her mouth, more sobs came. And then suddenly everyone was in the living room witnessing her meltdown, including Axsel and Pepper because her father had carried the laptop with him.
Great. Just freaking perfect.
“What’s going on?” Sable asked, glaring at Reed. “Who needs to get their butt kicked?”
Embarrassment set in for her loss of control, and that quickly morphed to anger, because Grace Montgomery didnotlose control.
