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She nodded. “What an excellent idea.”

I took her hand and walked with her up to the cart. I looked at the menu he was offering.

“We’ll take the Expert Tasting,” I said. It was the most comprehensive option.

Next to me, Grace giggled. I kissed the side of her head again. I couldn’t stop touching and kissing her. I could practically feel her joy vibrate through her.

“Do you promise to not let me get drunk?” Grace asked, serious all of a sudden.

I narrowed my eyes. “You want me to promise that after I just asked for the expert option?”

“You’re right. Then promise you’ll take care of me if I get too drunk.”

“You can count on that, Grace. I’ll always take care of you.”

She grinned. “Then let’s do it. Let’s get good and drunk.”

“I wonder if we’re going to run into my family,” I said, looking up and down the street.

“Oh, they like to attend festivals?”

“Half my family comes to this one every year, but there’s no telling at which location.” I paused, then asked, “By the way, how would you feel about having brunch with my family next Saturday?”

Her eyes widened. “Wow. I mean, sure, I’d love it. Are you sure it’s okay with... I don’t know, me being a Deveraux and all that?”

“I think we’re way past that, Grace. Besides, my grandmothers are big fans of yours already. That translates into the whole family liking you.”

“Even though they haven’t met me?”

“The LeBlancs and Broussards work in strange ways.”

She smiled. “Then I can’t wait to meet them.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Grace

As the next week started, I could still pinch myself just thinking about the weekend. It had been exactly what I’d needed, and I hadn’t even been aware of it. But Zachary had a way of simply guessing what I needed, as if somehow he knew me even better than I knew myself.

Even though Mondays were usually difficult and I had a million to-dos, I was ecstatic today... until the afternoon. My phone beeped with an incoming call from someone I’d hoped to never hear from again: Roger, my ex-husband. My first instinct was to not answer. We’d finished everything between us a long time ago. Why would he even want to talk to me?

But I was no chicken, and there had to be a reason he was contacting me. Ignoring it would only postpone the issue, make me obsess about it. I got up from behind my desk and went to close the door; I didn’t want anyone to witness this. Then I answered the phone as I leaned against the door.

“Grace,” he said instead of hello.

My entire body stiffened. “Why are you calling me?”

“Such a friendly reply.”

“There is no reason for me to be friendly. So, get to the point or I’ll end this conversation right now.”

“You’re dating Zachary LeBlanc,” Roger stated.

His words felt like an electric shock, though I wasn’t sure why.

“Yes.” I cleared my throat and balled my free hand into a fist. “Do you have a problem with that? Is that why you’re calling?”

“Fuck yes, that’s what I’m calling about.”