Page 49 of Austen, Edited

Chapter 30

“What was that in there?” Greyson’s dad asked the next day, his face turning red as he loomed over Greyson’s desk. They’d just finished a meeting with all the board and other members, going over things that needed to be changed in the current operating system their vendors and franchisees used.

Greyson sat back, folding his arms across his chest. “What do you mean? I just said your idea would be redundant in the monthly reports.”

His father pointed his finger at Greyson. “You’re my son, but you’re not one of the upper management. You need to remember that when we’re talking to the rest of the company. I can’t be undermined in front of all of them.”

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Greyson said, running a hand through his hair. “I just figured it would be better for everyone to know what was possible and what would be the better avenue to go when it came to changing the software. I can do everything we talked about in the meeting, but some of it will just be a waste of time.” His tone was even and calm, allowing his father to ease up a bit.

His father slumped into a chair and rubbed his hands over his face. “I’m sorry, Greyson. It’s been a rough couple of days. You’re doing a great job with all this, and we’ve never had such a smooth operating system. How are you liking being home?”

Greyson waited a few seconds, trying to gather his thoughts. “It’s different, but I needed to come back, needed to start over here and live my life.”

“Without Hannah.” It was more a statement than a question. His dad’s eyes had narrowed, searching Greyson’s face for something. He’d always been a wild card when it came to Hannah, and Greyson wasn’t sure which way he currently leaned.

“Yeah, I mean, there are some boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed by anyone. And the more I’m home, the more I see how blinded I was while dating her.”

As he intertwined his fingers and placed them under his chin, the corner of his father’s mouth turned up. “And what about Abby?”

“What about Abby?”

“Are you telling me you don’t have feelings for her?”

Surprise mixed with embarrassment flew through him. He’d always thought his dad didn’t notice who he hung out with or who he had feelings for, but he must have known something. Or talked to his wife.

“I do, Dad. But I think she’s going after Jeff Summers.”

His dad shook his head, his expression more confident than Greyson felt. “There’s no way she’d go after someone like him. Abby has always had a good head on her shoulders, and even when she first arrived at the Hamiltons, she was a good influence, despite her background. What gave you that impression?”

“I saw them, Dad.” Greyson leaned forward, emotions he couldn’t name surging forward. “She got into his car and was laughing.”

A chuckle caused Greyson’s head to snap up to look at his dad.

“I’m sorry, son. But if you think about it, that just sounds ridiculous. Have you asked her why she was with him?”

“No.” Greyson thought back to the several text messages and calls he’d ignored from her over the past couple days, thinking it would be easier to avoid them rather than face the truth about her new boyfriend being the most arrogant jerk on the planet.

His dad stood, tapping the desk a couple of times. “You might want to do that. If anything, you’ll know for sure.” He strode over to the door and turned back. “Get whatever done you need to and then knock off early. Talking to her sooner rather than later would be better. Trust me.”

“Wait, Dad,” Greyson said right before his father shut the door. “You’re okay with me having feelings for her?”

Another deep rumble of laughter escaped from his father, and he nodded. “I may be a tough CEO of this company, but I know how important love can be in life. As much as your mother tries to meddle, she’s just trying to help. But Abby has more character and honor than I’ve seen in many women who’ve been around our family. I think if you truly love Abby, your mother will come around.”

Greyson nodded, feeling that sliver of hope ignite again. He still didn’t know if he’d missed his chance to share how he felt about Abby, but maybe it wasn’t too late.

He turned off his computer and walked out of his office toward the elevators.

“Greyson, I’m glad I caught you. I forgot to give this message to you yesterday after your meeting.” The secretary from the front desk handed him a paper, and on it was scrawledCall Abby.

“Thank you,” he said, jabbing his finger into the down arrow of the elevator. He caught the T just before it left the stop.

The entire ride, he worked through several things he could say to her, hoping she’d forgive him for not answering her back right away. He just hoped his pride didn’t get in the way this time.

* * *

“Where’s Abby?”Greyson asked, glancing into her office at Love, Austen. He turned his head in Tiffany’s direction and frowned.

“Not here,” she said, her tone more sour than he’d ever heard.

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