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Grayson just shrugs. “I could have called you, too, but life just got crazy with business, and then Lillian and Max...”

“I can understand.” I desperately want to ask him how he has a seven-year-old when five years ago, I had no idea he had a son.

“I didn’t know about him.” He knows I'm curious, I guess. “Not until he was four.”

My eyes widen as Grayson continues, telling me the whole story about him and Lillian.

“I could have used a friend, then.”

Guilt claws at me, but I clap him on the shoulder. “Well, you have one now.”

The doorbell rings just as I finish my drink, and Grayson nudges me.

“Go answer that, will you? I’m going to check on the kids.”

My palms sweat. I don’t know why. I spent more time at the Whitlock mansion than my father’s trailer growing up.

But it’s been years, and I don’t know what Meredith has told them. I assume she didn’t mention a word about us, since she’s always been so ashamed of me.

I open the door wide, and Samuel walks inside.

“It’s been too long, Logan.”

“Dinner’s ready!” Lillian announces, and I’m glad that it brings me out of my darkening thoughts.

We all go and sit down, with Grayson at the head of the table and the kids next to him. I sit next to Samuel and Lillian, and Samuel looks at me curiously as Lillian serves the food.

“Tell me everything, Logan. How have you been?”

“Working, mostly. I recently bought a small business to expand into the city.”

“Does that mean you’ll be moving back? Meredith will be thrilled!”

I clear my throat, and Grayson gives me a sharp look as if to remind me not to mention she’s my employee.

“Haven’t talked to her yet.”

“I’m sure she’ll be excited. You three were like a little team growing up.”

Guilt washes over me at how I have lied to both Grayson and his parents, but it can’t be helped. Meredith was just slumming it with me, and it was never going to go anywhere.

“I’ll be happy to see her again.”

“Oh, maybe I'll text her to come to dinner!”

“You really don’t have to do that—” I start, but he’s already texting. I let out a huffed breath.

“I didn’t tell her you were here. It’ll be a happy surprise,” Samuel says, and I would like to crawl under the house and die.

Meredith will not be happy to see me, but I suppose we have to be in close proximity due to work, so we should get used to it.

“This chicken is delectable,” I tell Lillian, and she beams at me.

“Can you taste the rosemary?”

“Yes, it’s wonderful.”

“I said stop flirting with my wife,” Grayson jokes, and the whole table cracks up.