Page 82 of Capturing Love

I shook my head. “I didn’t let him.”

“Not even after two years?”

“I’m not exactly an easy person to get close to,” I said, avoiding his gaze.

Grayson nodded slowly, but didn’t say anything.

I took my plate to the sink and rinsed it. “You know, if you need to get back to your family, I totally understand. You really shouldn’t have come home early and ruined your trip.”

“Oh no, my parents did that already.”

I glanced up at him. “What happened?”

“What didn’t?” He chortled. “They’re just so…fucking interfering.”

“Isn’t that what parents are supposed to do? Interfere? It’s just their way of showing you they care.”

Grayson’s expression softened as he regarded me from across the counter. “You know what, you don’t need to worry about my family drama. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the holiday together.”

“Okay.” I smiled. “Pyjamas till noon?”

He grinned. “Pyjamas till noon.”

***

16

THE HARLOW-WARREN EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

It wasn’t the headline on the back of Pete’s newspaper that caught my attention. It was the photograph. I stared at the striking features of the man who shared my bed most nights, sharing an intimate kiss with his ex. The caption confirmed what I was seeing.

William Harlow and Melanie Warren reunite over Thanksgiving, much to the delight of their families.

My stomach dropped and bile crept up my throat as I strained my eyes to read the article from across the table. I tried to inconspicuously tilt my head, but Pete was so absorbed with the finance section, he wouldn’t have noticed if I was sitting there naked.

Grayson strolled in a minute later and I shot upright, pretending to nibble on my sandwich.

“How is everyone today?” he asked, taking his lunch out of the fridge. The lunch I made for him that morning.

“I’m well, William. How was your Thanksgiving?” Pete asked, folding up his paper and placing it in the middle of the table.

I smiled tightly, but didn’t meet Grayson’s eyes.

“Bumpy start, but ended well,” Grayson replied, sitting at the end of the table, between the two of us. I sensed him looking my way, but I kept my eyes lowered. “I trust you both had a good holiday?”

I gave a quick nod, but Pete continued. “Always nice to head home for a few days. Josie, you went to Jersey again, right?”

“Like always,” I muttered.

Pete’s brow furrowed. “Are you feeling okay? You look pale.”

Grayson’s eyes darted to mine and narrowed.

“I’m fine. Just tired, I guess.” I packed up my half-eaten sandwich, and pushed up from the table. “I better get back to work.” With a light tap on the newspaper, I smiled over at Grayson. “Great photo by the way. Perhaps I’ll do a feature on you and Melanie in the next edition of Maude.”

Grayson’s gaze dropped to the article, and quickly bounced back to me as I strode out of the lunch room, feeling like a fool.

Don’t be that girl, Josie. Don’t be that girl! I sank into my desk chair and rubbed my temples. I’m sure there was a totally reasonable explanation for the photograph…and the kiss.