Page 94 of Capturing Love

William stopped chewing. “What magazine do you work for?”

My eyes darted from Grayson to Adam, who was now leaning back in his chair with a sly grin.

I felt sick.

“She works at Maude, Dad,” Grayson answered instead.

“God dammit, William!” His father stood up abruptly and threw his napkin on his plate. “You’re fucking the help now?”

“Whoa, Dad, calm down,” Adam said, looking worriedly across at Grayson, whose eyes burned into his father.

“I brought you up to be better than that,” his father continued.

“Do you even know anything about her?” Caroline joined in as if I wasn’t there. “It seems convenient that she has no family. For all we know, she’s just after a green card and half your bank account.”

“Jesus, Mom.” Adam wiped his hand over his face, clearly embarrassed by their reaction.

With a racing heart and nauseous stomach, I placed my hands on the table and rose. “Excuse me,” I said, needing to escape.

Grayson reached out and seized my wrist, standing up next to me. “No, Josie.” His face grew red as he glared at his parents. “Don’t you ever speak about her like that.”

“We had a plan, Grayson!” William retorted with a growl. “Have you ever stopped to consider how this affects your family? Is it really worth throwing it all away for some…some office fling?”

Grayson’s hands balled into fists at his sides. “She’s not some fling! I fucking love her.”

My heart stopped as the room fell deathly silent. All eyes travelled to where I stood, cheeks ablaze and trembling. I slowly lowered my burning eyes and ran from the room.

I bounded up the stairs, taking three at a time, trying to put as much distance between myself and his family as possible. I’d never been so humiliated, and Grayson’s surprising declaration was like the cherry on top of a pile of dog shit. Could his timing be any worse?

Finally finding our bedroom, somewhere in the east wing—yes, the fucking east wing—I slammed the door and resisted the urge to scream. But instead, I burst into tears.

Swinging my suitcase onto the bed, I started repacking what I unpacked earlier that day. I was stupid to think they would accept someone like me into their lives. The door clicked closed behind me, and I jumped. I hadn’t even heard it open.

Grayson stood in front of me with slumped shoulders and tired eyes. “I’m so sorry, Josie.”

I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“You have every right to be here. My parents were out of line. Grandpa is giving them all a stern talking to as we speak.”

My face scrunched at the thought. Grandpa?

“He may look docile, but trust me, you never want to cross him.”

I drew in a deep breath and exhaled, trying to compose myself. “I just want everyone to be happy. It’s Christmas, for Christ’s sake.” What the fuck did I just say?

Grayson chuckled and stepped closer. “I’m happy.”

“Yeah, right.”

“A few minutes alone with you and I will be,” he said, grazing my cheek with his thumb.

The corner of my mouth lifted. “Just a few minutes?”

“You know what I mean,” he said, nudging my arm.

Blush crept up Grayson’s neck as my smile grew.

He lowered his gaze. “I didn’t mean to say what I did downstairs.”