Page 113 of Capturing Love

“Oh, he just wanted to tell me how happy he was that we’d ‘dissolved our relationship’,” I said, mimicking his dad’s deep voice.

Grayson ran a hand down his stubbled face. “And what did you say?”

“Nothing,” I said, with a shrug. “He didn’t say anything that isn’t true.”

Grayson’s expression grew dark. “Josie, this isn’t the end of us.”

I dropped my eyes to avoid his burning stare.

A rumble rolled through his chest and his voice lowered. “Josie…”

After a long moment, I lifted my gaze. “Well…maybe it should be.”

Rising from the chair, he leant over my desk until his green eyes were level with mine. “How I feel about you hasn’t changed, and I’m pretty sure you feel the same—fuck, I know you do. So, don’t give me this bullshit.”

My heart pounded. “But this isn’t just about you and me. If you don’t marry Melanie, I’ll not only lose my job, but Maude will fold and everyone here will suffer the consequences. I won’t be responsible for that.”

Grayson’s glistening eyes bored into mine. “Just give me some time. I’ll find a way out of this. I even got us some burner phones so we can talk without my fath—”

“Burner phones? Are you serious?” I shook my head vigorously. “No, I’m not doing it.”

“Josie, please. I miss you. I’ll figure this out…”

I looked away as my lower lip trembled. “Then call me when you do, because until then, I don’t want any part of this.”

He ran both hands through his thick hair as his jaw tightened. “I’ll make this right, Jos. I promise.”

I wanted to believe him, but self-preservation was something I’d mastered over the years since my parents died, and I could already feel myself rebuilding my walls.

Grayson’s phone buzzed and he slid his hand into his pocket to silence it. “Adam is waiting for me downstairs,” he said, gazing towards door. “We’ve been summoned back to LA for a family dinner.”

My mouth went dry. “Will Melanie be there?”

Grayson’s shoulders sagged. He didn’t need to answer.

“Well don’t let me hold you up,” I muttered, moments from crumbling.

He remained frozen in place. “Jos…”

“Just go,” I bit.

With a pained expression and small nod, Grayson left my office and my mind with too much to humanly process.

At the end of the day, I quickly gathered my things and raced out of the building, desperate for fresh air. At least now I had a valid excuse to skip Friday night drinks. My head was pounding. The walk home eased the pain somewhat, so I dropped in to see Lenny. I needed a healthier distraction than the bottle of wine awaiting my homecoming.

“Hey, Lenny!” I yelled as I walked through the door.

“Josie! You’re early today. I’ll be out in a second.”

“No rush,” I said as I moseyed around the empty restaurant, gazing at the old photos. “I’ve got nowhere to be.” My eyes were drawn to an empty space on the wall. “Len, did you move my prints?”

Lenny came out from the kitchen drying his hands with a tea towel, before taking an envelope out of the cash drawer. “I told you if you put a price on them they’d get snapped up.” He threw the envelope over with a huge grin.

My eyes grew wide at the weight of it. “Are you kidding me?”

“There’s enough there for a ticket to Italy,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

I smirked, but didn’t comment. Unfortunately, I needed much more than that for the trip I had planned.