Page 70 of Moonlit Colorado

I hadn’t told Grace about my mom’s diagnosis at all yet, and I couldn’t even saywhy. Maybe because, when I was with Grace, I actually felt like happiness was a simple thing that I could reach out and hold. Something I might be able to keep.

But my mother’s illness was a reminder that nothing was guaranteed.

I could fight for everything I wanted and still lose it.

TWENTY

Dane

I decidedto get ready in the guest room, just because I didn’t want to get distracted by being undressed around Grace. I trusted her to have some discretion, but I was running low on willpower at the moment, even with Margot, a.k.a. Super Mom, in my apartment.

I made quick work of it, washing off and styling my hair. While I was knotting my new tie, someone knocked on the guest room door. There was no shouting afterward about how I was late, so I figured it wasn’t Margot.

“You can come in, gorgeous,” I said.

Grace pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Already calling me gorgeous? You don’t know how I look yet.”

I turned and smiled. “I made an educated guess.”

She had her blue dress on, her hair smoothed back into a high ponytail, and she had worn just enough makeup to accentuate her features rather than hiding them.

I whistled. “You are something else. New York City doesn’t know what it’s in for tonight.”

She rolled her eyes like she didn’t believe me. “I’m trying to decide if I should wear my glasses or not.”

I went back to knotting my tie. “Whatever you’re more comfortable with.”

“Somehow I knew you would say that. Glasses, then. I kind of hate contacts.” She lifted her chin defiantly.

I finished with my tie and walked over to her, running my hands along her sides as soon as I was close enough. “If I could have my way, you would be wearing your glasses and nothing else. But then I would really have to watch you around the other men there tonight. They’ll try to steal you from me. It’ll be tough enough as it is with you in that dress.”

“You’re absurd,” she said, but she was smiling.

“Can I kiss you? Or will you get mad about me ruining your makeup?”

She gave me a firm kiss on the lips. “I didn’t put any lipstick on yet. But Margot already gave her five-minute warning, so…”

“Hell. Then I’d better make this quick.” I pulled her to me and kissed her more thoroughly, holding nothing back this time. Getting a shot of the taste of her, because I was going to need that to get me through this party.

When I pulled away, she was breathless.

I put my hands on her bare shoulders. “Thank you for coming with me to this. I promise I’ll get us out of there as soon as I can.”

“I doubt it will be that bad.”

“Just remember that my brother and my dad have issues withme. It has nothing to do with you.”

She shrugged one shoulder. “I’m no stranger to family discord. My big brothers weren’t always nice to their baby sister. I can handle it.”

I knew she could, but I felt a sudden jolt of uncertainty. I hoped this wasn’t a mistake, subjecting Grace to this crowd. I had only been thinking of myself when I’d invited her. Selfishly wanting her beside me. I also wanted Grace to agree to keep seeing me after this. But showing her exactly how much Dad and Kip despised me might not be the best way to go about it.

“The car is waiting downstairs,” Margot called out. “Let’s go, children.”

“It’ll be fine,” Grace whispered to me.

I tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m supposed to be spoiling you this weekend, and here you are reassuring me. You shouldn’t have to do that. But thank you.”

“I’m happy to. I’m tougher than I look.”

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