Page 50 of Something Borrowed

Matthew turned pensive. “Then you have some serious decisions to make.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s staying at the place he’s renovating. He wants to make sure everything is okay.” He paused. “I assume you know where that is?”

She arched her eyebrow. “Playing matchmaker, Matthew?”

“No, I just know how Grady feels about you. I have my reservations. Not that I don’t think you’re great, but I just think you’re both on different paths, and I worry he’ll get hurt.” Matthew paused. “He has he told you about our mother?”

Brigid jerked her head, surprised at the change of subject. “Only that she left when he was young. I know you both grew up separately.”

Matthew laid the laptop on the table and sat back down. “It’s really his story to tell, but Mom didn’t like her life as a lower middle-class stay-at-home parent and found a new man who could give her a new life, one in a decidedly upwardly mobile manner. She took me because she thought I would fit into her new life better than Grady. I got better grades, was older and more able to take care of myself. So, she left him with Dad and never saw him again.”

Brigid stared at Matthew, a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Oh, my God. Poor Grady. How could she just leave him?”

Matthew shook his head, a pained expression on his face. “I never understood it. Grady and I were close growing up, but we were pretty young when this happened. I guess my stepfather knew about me but was told Grady wanted to stay with our Dad. I don’t think he would have gone along with separating us. I don’t know.” He paused. “My mom is not a bad person; she just wanted a different life than she had with my father. She wanted comfort, money, security. All things she never thought she’d ever have with dad. He was happy with a nice house in the suburbs, nothing fancy, maybe a little extra in the bank for a rainy day. But no European trips, fancy clothes, and jewelry. He wasn’t like that. Mom was terrified of being poor and she saw us as one step away from the poorhouse. I think she regrets her decision to leave Grady, but not her decision to leave. Or maybe I’m just hoping she regrets it. Her leaving gave me the opportunities I have today, and I’m grateful. But what did it do to Grady?”

Brigid covered her mouth with her hand, tears in her eyes, as she thought of the little boy watching his mother leave and not knowing if he’d see her again. Then realizing she was never coming back for him, that she had abandoned him. “I never knew it was that callous, that cold. How awful for him.”

Matthew stood. “So, you can see why I worry about him with you. Not that you’re our mother, but you want similar things. Security, position, money. You look outside of yourself for what you want. Grady has already been disappointed and betrayed by one woman for those same things, and it damaged him. You could destroy him.”

Brigid glared at him, blood pounding in her ears. “I would never betray Grady like that.”

“Aren’t you? By leading him on, you’re setting him up for a fall that he might never recover from. I don’t think you’re a bad person, and I think you truly care for him. But do you care enough?”

She sighed. “Matthew, I appreciate your honesty. I’ve never hidden from Grady my goals or plan. He knows what I want. If he chooses to pursue this relationship, despite me trying to break it off, that’s his business. All I can promise you is that I will not intentionally hurt him. But I have to do my job, and I need you to support me in that.”

Matthew nodded, sadness still in his eyes. “I fully support you in your job. I know, above everyone else, what a toll the job can take. And I will support you as best I can. But, Brigid, once this week and this deal is done, please think about what you really want, not what everyone else wants for you, and make a decision that you can live with.”

“I will, Matthew. And I’ll try not to hurt Grady.”

Matthew gathered his laptop. “Then I’ll leave you to it. Just, please, be honest with him and yourself..”

She’d try. Her heart ached for the boy Grady had been and the man he was now. How could he ever want to be with her if he had experienced that kind of betrayal before? And was she really ready to give it all up for him?

* * *

Brigid wandered into the office to work, but her heart and mind weren’t in it. Nothing new had shown on email, and she was feeling annoyed that she was working on her vacation. Terrence hadn’t worked from the Caribbean, citing internet issues. Whatever. That was bogus, and everyone knew it, but he could get away with it with Peterman because they golfed and played racquetball together. Brigid was not athletic and was too busy working. Not that they would ever invite her, anyway.

She wandered out to the patio, but the whipping wind and chill coming off the ocean before the storm made walking the beach unattractive. Just about everyone had scattered for the day, but she found Anna and Wyatt, who were headed out front.

Anna slouched against the doorjamb, arms folded in front of her, a sour look on her face.

“What are you guys up to today? I can’t seem to find anyone. Maybe I’ll tag along.”

Anna scowled at her. “I promised the community theater that I’d help today with the youth program. Wyatt offered to help with the sets or whatever they need. Besides, if I hang around here, Caroline will find some stupid cutesy crafty thing to do for the wedding.”

Interesting. Anna wanted Wyatt to herself. Maybe they’d finally take everyone’s advice and have some angry sex, although judging by the heated looks darting between the two, some angry sex might have already occurred. Brigid had no interest in getting in the middle of that one. “Maybe I’ll hunt Delaney down and see if she wants to do anything.”

“You’re not working, Saint Brigid?” Anna’s caustic tone reminded Brigid of all the comments made about her job all week and it just pissed her off.

“At least I have a job, Anna.” Brigid sighed, immediately remorseful. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. And no, I’m done for the week.”

“Right,” Anna drew out the word. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll find something better soon.”

But hurt was reflected in her eyes, a pain Anna couldn’t quite hide despite her bravado. Understanding pride and a desire not to show weakness, Brigid ignored it. For now.

Anna continued as if nothing had happened. “Delaney and Ethan headed to the mainland early, picking up some stuff for Caroline. They’re probably staying there overnight. We all decided to scatter to give Caroline and Matthew one night alone without all of us stressing them out. I’ll probably head to the hotel where I reserved a room. They’re going fast, so you’d better call them soon. We grabbed them a gift basket of stuff for tonight. You owe me thirty bucks.”

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