Page 147 of Fake Married to the Grumps

I comb my fingers through my hair and rub a hand over my face. “I just … You know my past, Jace. My mom, my dad … You know what love did to her. I can’t let that be my story too, because what if I’m just like him? What if …” My throat tightens, and I can’t bring myself to say the words running through my mind.

“You’re not your father, Trevor. I know that, and Gracie she… She cares about you, Trevor, maybe even too much. Do you want to know why I’m here? Why did I show up here after she left? It’s because she was worried about you, and even while she’s hurting, she still didn’t want you to be alone.”

“I know you don’t want to turn out like your father or end up losing yourself like your mother, but you can’t live your life and make all your choices based on that fear, Trevor. There are some people worth risking everything for. You should know that.”

Jace sighs, walks to me, and pats my shoulder before leaving the kitchen.

I’m left alone with my thoughts and my mind buzzes with memories of the times with Gracie that I knew I would never get over.

Chapter 17

Gracie

I’m staring at the bookshelves that morning when Natalie walks in and shocks me out of my solemn mood. She laughs when she walks around my table and takes the free seat opposite mine.

“What’s happening?” she asks with her usual smile, then flips her hair over one shoulder.

It’s my first day back at work after returning to Golden Bay two days ago, and it feels good to be back in my safe space. I spent the past two days working on my book. It’s getting harder to work on my characters when their story feels so similar to mine. I want a happy ending, but then my main male character, Nate, is the kind of man who doesn’t believe in love, just like Trevor.

I’ve decided to take a deep breath and let it sit for a while. I’ll come up with something to continue when I get back to it.I can’tlet my experience with Trevor break my belief in love.I’ll give my characters a happy ending somehow. That I’m sure of.

“Nothing much,” I answer before closing my laptop. “Got here early, made myself a cup of cappuccino as usual, and got to work. It feels good to be back.”

“Hey, Gracie,” an employee greets me as they waltz into the bookstore.

“Hi, Gracie,” another greeting follows.

I catch Natalie’s wide grin again before she says. “Everyone’s excited to have you back. They think Trevor will be here soon too, and he can help with the store’s publicity. There’s nothing small-town folks love more than a cozy spot to enjoy a book, coffee, and some hot gossip. You’ve certainly made headlines these past weeks, my friend.”

“It’s a shame Trevor won’t be coming here anytime soon,” I say to Natalie with a light shrug. “He’s injured.”

She gasps, and her eyes widen. “Oh, my goodness. Is he going to be okay, though?”

“Yeah, he’s gonna be fine,” I answer dryly. “Most importantly, he has no reason to be back here. The NBA playoffs are coming up, and he’ll have to train twice as hard after his ankle heals.”

A tiny frown pierces my features as I wonder how he’s doing. Asking Jace to check up on him was a way to satisfy my worrisome thoughts.At least if Jace is around, I know someone is there to ensure he doesn’t ignore his doctor’s orders.

I nibble on my lower lip as he fills my thoughts again. I’ve tried to stop thinking of Trevor, but at times like this, when he slips into my mind, I find that I can’t get him out.

He consumes my thoughts, and that’s a terrible thing.

Why do I keep pining for a man who will never let himself want me, too?

I sigh deeply and find Natalie’s suspicious eyes on me. “What?”

“Oh my goodness … You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?”

“What?” An incredulous laugh follows my croak, and her brows furrow together as I let the laughter consume me. “I haven’t fallen for him. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, come on, Gracie, I know that look. It’s not a crush. You were thinking about him just now with that wistful look that says, ‘oh, I wish he could love me too’.” She reaches across the table to smack my arm, then adds with sass. “I can read you.”

“Well, you’re wrong this time, Nats,” I counter. “I haven’t fallen for him. Everyone knows Trevor Hawkins is not the kind of manyou fall for. You said it yourself … He’s like candy. You have a taste and go away because he’s bad for you.”

Heat unfurls on my cheeks, and my blush spreads like wildfire. Trevor’s not even here, and he ignites this heated fire in me.

What do I do if I don’t ever see him again?

Natalie teases me with a laugh, and it heightens my discomfort. I shoot her a frown, and she raises her hands to show surrender.

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