Page 111 of One Bossy Date

“Yes, Gran. You noticed?”

“Child, but of course. I felt something wasn’t quite right. But I thought you young people don’t keep up with the traditions like we slightly older folk do.”

Just like Gwendolyn, my grandma had noticed the missing ring. Here we were, always thinking older people didn’t get things. They got more than anybody. They were just polite enough to keep it to themselves.

“Then, I kept the ruse going because it solved even more of my problems. You see, I didn’t have a place to live. I couldn’t afford rent. And then because of the ruse, Anders offered to have me move in and look after his dogs.”

“Oh, Zoe love, you could have told me that. I would have given you the money you needed. I still can.” She got back up, already looking for her purse. “What do you need?”

“No.” I reached out to grab her hand, stopping her. “You’re such an amazing grandma to me. I don’t need it now, because of all this. Anders taught me how to work with his dogs, and I’ve been around two big ones for several weeks now, so I’m not that afraid anymore. I can expand my business. And when I moved out of the store, we used the extra space to take on more customers. Things have picked up, and they’re better now. I’ll start to pay you back for the loan you already gave me.”

“Don’t worry about all that.” Gran flicked her wrist with a dramatic flair and sat back down. She nudged me to sit next to her and took my hand. “It looks like I owe you an apology, child.”

“You owemean apology? Why? For what?”

“Child, I realized I was wrong about Brody. I always thought he was such a sweet boy, until he behaved so rudely and made a fool of himself. Anders was so much more put together, my love. And so much more handsome!”

Hugging her, we forgave each other without needing the words. She patted my hand when she noticed my sad face after I released her. “What’s happened now? Why are you so sad?”

Tears started rolling.

“There’s nothing a nice tea won’t solve.” She got up, put our tea on the kitchen table and sat down to hold my hands while I poured out my feelings.

I told her everything, about how I’d fallen for Anders, how I thought maybe he’d fallen for me too, but that it was conditional. I loved Anders, and my heart pained to refuse him, but I needed to be true to myself. I could never feel proud of myself again if I just gave up now to follow a man overseas.

Even if that man was Anders Windham.

Somehow, I had believed everything was going to turn out just fine. But I saw now that I’d been setting myself up for failure. I’d known he was leaving all along. I’d just refused to accept the pain that came with—or without—knowing when exactly that would be.

I was a culprit in my own heartbreak.

At least there was a silver lining.

The stress balls Jim had given me woulddefinitelycome in handy today. (Pun intended.)

* * *

Iwent back to the penthouse before sunset. I’d already called Jim and told him what had happened, and he’d insisted I could stay with him for the night or until I could figure out where to stay permanently—he urged me not to rearrange a new little room for myself in the store. He even used the words “kitty lounge,” and that made me almost burst out in tears. He was such a good friend. He even offered to pick me up at the penthouse and run in to grab my belongings while I waited in the car, just so I wouldn’t have to see Anders again if I didn’t want to.

But I knew I eventually had to say goodbye to Anders, so I declined and said I’d see him later in the evening.

“All right, honey, you tell me if you need me. If you need me to kick his ass, I will. Don’t you waste any more tears on the prick. There are plenty of choppers in the sea. Trust me. Love you.”

“Thanks, Jimmy. Love you, too.”

* * *

When I walked in, Anders was sitting near the windows with Ares and Hades. He didn’t hear me, and I took the opportunity to quietly move to my room and get the rest of my things together—luckily, there wasn’t much left, just my books, my laptop, my toiletries, and a few hair clips. My heart hurt excruciatingly, knowing the man I loved was right there, but I couldn’t be with him. I refused to let myself be taken in by a controlling billionaire who felt that everything was his way or the highway. He hadn’t given his mom or Dax a choice when it came to saying goodbye either. It was a red flag, and I had ignored it. I knew they wanted him to stay, but he didn’t care. He wanted his freedom. I mean, hello? He was even leaving poor Ares and Hades behind. How could he be so heartless?

Well, I wouldn’t be a part of that. I would stay true to myself and remain in the city I was happy to be in, around the people I loved andwantedto be around, and I would build up the best and biggest cat emporium the world (or at least New York City) had ever seen.

I emerged with the two suitcases I’d arrived with, now heavily stuffed with unfolded clothes and broken dreams, and set them at the front door. I walked back to the room and brought out my laptop bag, toiletry bag, and a tote bag, filled with the rest of my belongings.

Anders heard me now and hastily made his way to me at the entryway.

“Zoe?”

“Anders, I’m ready to leave.” I faced him with my back straight. “I wanted to thank you for taking me in over the past few weeks.”

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