Page 81 of My Lucky Charm

Did he forget we have a photoshoot today? I already reached out to the photographer to let her know we’d be late, but this does have to happen today. Not only for the fan mail, but because the team needs photos for the banner and other promo materials. And he already failed to show up to the first one that had been scheduled, though he didn’t mention that when we were discussing it. Apparently, publicity shots aren’t high on his list of priorities.

“Hey,” he says.

I smile, trying not to give away all the thoughts racing through my mind.

“You met Scarlett,” he says.

I nod and glance at the woman standing beside him. She takes a step toward me and holds out her hand. “I’m Celeste.”

“That’s my mom,” Scarlett says without looking up.

“I’m Eloise,” I say, shaking her hand. “Gray’s assistant.”

Celeste’s eyebrows shoot up. “Whoa, fancy. You have your own assistant?”

I’m pretty sure I hear him grunt something like it wasn’t my idea, but he moves over to Scarlett’s side of the counter and sits down next to her.

“What are you playing?” he asks.

“Animal Crossing,” she says.

“Is it fun?”

“Not as much fun as Just Dance.” Then, she grins. Her teeth are slightly crooked, and when Gray looks at her, it melts my heart, and I have to look away.

“Oh, you want a rematch?” Gray raises a brow.

“I’ll smoke you again,” Scarlett says.

“I’ll take that challenge,” Gray says. “But I get to pick the song this time.”

My eyes trail down to Celeste’s left hand where her giant engagement ring catches the light.

“Do you want to skip school for a week and hang out with me?” Gray asks.

“She’s not skipping school,” Celeste says.

Gray and Scarlett exchange a look that seems to be something like a secret language.

“I’ll do my work, Mom,” Scarlett says, exasperated. “It’s so easy.” Then to Gray, “And I’ll stay, but only if you move the TV out here.”

Gray picks her up and tosses her over his shoulder. She squeals as he walks her down the hall and stops in front of the room across from the bathroom. “Your room,” he says.

“It’s empty!”

He sets her down. “Blank slate, kid. We’ll do whatever you want in here.”

She looks up at him. “TV?”

“Uh, no,” Gray says. “You know the rules.”

I start to see a picture of what it was like for him in Philly. This little girl clearly gets a piece of Gray that nobody else in the world gets.

I feel privileged to witness it.

“Scarlett, let’s go get your suitcase,” Celeste says.

“All right.” Then, she reaches over and squeezes Gray’s hand. “This will be fun.”

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