Page 6 of Keeping You

It’s the summer.

I can put up with living in Grayson’s nice apartment for the summer. It’s not far from work or Liv’s. And who knows, maybe if I give him enough reasons, he’ll call it quits early.

I nod. “Fine. Ninety days and then you sign the papers.”

Something in his eyes changes. It’s almost as though he’s hurt by my words. I shake my head and push those thoughts aside.

“I was going to make some food before I left for the airport. Are you hungry? I can make us something quickly.”

Right then, my stomach decides to grumble.

He smiles softly. “That sounds like a yes.”

His demeanour is throwing me off. Where is the guy who’s always acted like he’s the cream of the freaking crop? My stomach grumbles again, and I remember how long it’s been since I’ve eaten real food.

“That’d be great. Thank you.”

He nods as he pushes up from the couch and moves into the kitchen. The open space allows me to watch him as hegrabs ingredients from the fridge. I make my way over to his entertainment centre and pick up a picture of what looks like his parents. They’re both smiling, his dad’s wrapped around his mom from behind as they beam at the camera.

“That’s my parents the day I graduated from medical school. They’re celebrating their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary this summer. They were high school sweethearts.”

Looking over my shoulder, I take in his smile as he talks about his parents. I wonder what it must be like to grow up with parents who love each other as much as his obviously do. I place the picture back down and move on to the other pictures. I’m surprised he has so many. There’s one of his hockey team after they won the championship a few years ago, one of all the guys at Josh and Olivia’s wedding in October, one of him and his dad, and a few others scattered about.

“Lunch is ready,” Grayson says as he carries two plates over to the table.

I join him and see he’s made chicken breasts with rice and a salad. Slipping into the seat beside his, I say, “Thank you.”

“Of course,” he says as he digs in.

We eat in silence. Sitting here with Grayson is awkward. Every other encounter we’ve had in the last two years has been around other people who could act as buffers. I slowly pick at my food. When he finishes, he leans back in his chair, hands clasped and resting over his stomach as he watches me. He’s not looking at the food, but at my face, like he’s trying to figure out how to approach me.

“Do you have a shift tonight?” he finally asks.

I shake my head. “No, I work night shift tomorrow.”

He nods. “I have plans tomorrow night, but I’ll be home to have dinner with you before you leave.”

His game. With his friends.FUCK!I haven’t had time to process everything yet, let alone time to tell my friends,Oh hey,by the way, you know that work trip I went on? Yeah, well, I kinda came home married to the man I can’t stand.Because that will go over so well.

“About that…” I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders back. “I’d like for you to not say anything about us being married. I want to tell the girls beforehand.”

He nods and leans forward, resting his arms on his thighs. “Okay, but know I’m not keeping this a secret for ninety days. I’ll give you some time to tell your friends, but I’m not treating this or you like a dirty secret, because you’re not one.”

The conviction behind his words has me wanting to melt, but I know I can’t. I have to stay strong. I can’t let myself get fooled by pretty words again. Especially not from Grayson.

“Okay.”

Nodding, he reaches for my plate. “You finished?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

He grabs our plates and heads to the kitchen sink, rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher. Drying his hands, he looks back at me.

“I’m beat after my shift. I need a shower and a nap. I’m not sure if you’re tired or not. If you want, you can put whatever you want on out here or there are some game consoles. Remotes should be on the coffee table.”

“I’m good.”

I watch as he moves down the hall into what I assume is his bedroom. I settle back onto the couch, grabbing a blanket that’s lying over the back and my Kindle from my purse. I need the escapism of a good book. Settling in, I allow myself to get sucked into the story.

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