Page 118 of Real Fake Husband

I won’t. A hundred percent I won’t. I’m in a fucking bad mood. With Josie gone and the apartment empty, I’m in hell, and in no state to celebrate with the boys.

“Maybe?” Theo asks. “What kind of answer is that? Come out with us. It’ll take your mind off everything. Let’s toast to tomorrow’s opening.”

“It’s bad luck,” I tell him, clapping him on the back. Bad luck is the last thing I need. “I’ll see you later. Have fun.”

Ihead to my car, glancing at my watch. Finally, I have the time, nerve, and mental capacity to make the long drive to Gran’s storage unit. I take my BMW in case it rains. She had the storage unit for a long time. Gran could never throw anything away. Vance had urged me to visit—not that he needed to, I wanted to see what was in there. If there’s space, I’ll store the valuable stuff from her apartment there until I have a chance to go through everything. If there’s not, I’ll see if I can get rid of anything.

The unit is bigger than I thought it would be. I open it, immediately coughing as the door kicks up dust. The first thing I notice is the furniture. It’s not antique stuff that matches what’s in her apartment. This is old, but in a different way. With a heavy but smiling heart, I recognize the stuff from our old place, the place where she raised me. All the furniture that used to be in my room: my old bed, dresser, desk, everything—it’s all here. There are boxes of photos and toys from when I was a kid, and I take the time to go through them all.

I hadn’t realized she’d kepteverything. In one box I find my baby pictures, which I haven’t seen in years. There’s not a single photo of my parents, and I’m glad.Love you, Gran. Hey, look at that, I was a cute kid. One day, maybe I’ll be a dad too. I’ll do a fucking hell of a job. Not now, of course. Maybe in several years. Now is not the time. I picture a baby with Josie’s deep chocolate-brown eyes and have to put the picture back before I punch myself in the face.

Picking my way through the rest of the items and boxes, way in the back I see something that makes me pause. The elegant wooden frame of a brand-new king-sized bed is propped against the back wall, its mattress still wrapped in protective plastic with a rose envelope with my name taped to it.

I take the envelope off and open it. There’s a folded piece of paper inside.

My Callum,

Consider this bed a wedding present.

Love you,

Gran

I start to laugh. I can’t help it.

“You sneaky, sneaky woman,” I say, staring at the ceiling of the storage unit.

I bet she’s looking down at me with that smug smile on her face. There’s a smaller red envelope with Josie’s name handwritten across the front. Shaking my head, I tuck the envelope into my pocket.

She knew. She absolutely knew that if Josie and I were forced to spend time together, we would fall for each other. Man, she played the long game. She played it well. Gran always did have the patience of a saint. I leave the unit, my mind made up.

Back in my car, I call Josie. I want to tell her what I found. She loved Gran and will be happy to know. It goes straight to voicemail.

My first thought is to show up at her place, but I have no idea where that is. It wouldn’t be difficult to find out her home address from Vance, but I’d prefer not to become a grade-A stalker. Josie would have my dick on the chopping block if I just left Gran’s note in her mailbox, let alone barged into her apartment unannounced.

Driving to The Diner doesn’t seem like the better alternative at this point. So, I call.

“Oh hi, Cal!” Josie’s friend Kaylin answers. “How can I help you?” she asks after a short exchange in which she enquires about Theo and I tell her he’s fine.

“I need to talk to Josie.”

“She isn’t here.”

My heart drops, and concern starts to seep in. “What do you mean she’s not there?”

“She and Matilda left for the lawyer’s office to sign papers. They won’t be back in today, I’m afraid. Is everything okay?” she asks, sensing my agitation.

“Yes. Thanks, Kaylin.”

Well, shit.

With no other options, I drive home. When I get to the garage, I dial her number one last time. I know I won’t change her mind, but I have to get something off my chest. Something I didn’t realize when we saw each other last, and that I’ve been mulling over all week. I step out of the car and wait for her recorded greeting to finish.

Knowing that my scheming grandmother saw Josie and me as husband and wife gives me the resolve—and strength—to say what I need to say.

I need to get it out, now.

“Hey, Josie, it’s me,” I say, making my way to the elevator. “I’ve been trying to reach you. Called the diner to let you know I have a note from Gran. I found it in her storage room, with your name on it. But the main reason I’m calling is because I know I fucked up. I don’t like how we left things last Sunday. There’s so much we have to say.”

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