Page 28

I should be doing literally anything else right now.

Laundry. Netflix. Working out.

Hell, I should be sleeping.

But instead, I’m stretched out on my couch, staring at my phone, replaying this afternoon in my head like some Grant-obsessed fan-girl.

And it’s all his fault.

Seeing Grant with Olivia?

That made my heart hurt, in a good way.

I thought I had a grip on what this is.

What we are. The slow and steady pace we were setting.

But watching him with his daughter? Watching the way he loves her?

Yeah. I was not prepared for that.

He was soft.

The same man who grumbles and smirks and makes me want to throw things was a complete goner for that little girl.

And I felt it. Deep.

Because it wasn’t just about Grant.

It was about both of them.

About what it would mean to be with him.

Because Grant Maddox isn’t just one person.

He’s a package deal.

And I think I want the whole damn thing.

That thought should terrify me.

It should make me pause.

But instead?

I’m lying here, staring at my phone, hoping he texts me first.

Like some pathetic, emotional fool.

I groan, throwing my arm over my face.

What the hell is happening to me?

I should text.

I should just suck it up and send the damn message.

But instead, my fingers hover over Grant’s name before tapping on Allie’s instead.

Because if anyone can talk me through this emotional crisis, it’s her.

And I owe her an apology anyway.

"Well, well, well," Allie answers after two rings, teasing already. "Look who finally remembered she has a best friend."

I groan, shoving a pillow over my face.

"I know. I suck."

"Yeah, you do. I sat at brunch this morning like a loser, waiting for you to show up. What happened? Did you finally get arrested for tax fraud?"

"I told you—one mistake on my return does not make me a criminal."

"Mmm-hmm."

I snort, but my stomach tightens.

Because as much as I love bantering with her, I called for a reason.

"I’m sorry I bailed," I say, quieter now. "I really was going to come. But then… something happened."

Allie pauses.

I can practically hear her sitting up straighter.

"Oh?"

I exhale.

"I saw Grant today."

Silence.

Then—

"Ohhhhhh shit."

I tell her everything.

The ice cream.

Olivia.

How seeing Grant with his daughter completely shattered me.

And by the time I’m done, I’m fully expecting her to freak out.

To tell me I’m insane for getting attached.

To remind me that Grant and I were never supposed to be more than a mistake.

But instead?

Allie just exhales softly.

"You love him, don’t you?"

I freeze.

Because it’s the first time anyone has said it out loud.

The first time I’ve even let myself think it in full.

And instead of denying it—

Instead of making some sarcastic joke—

I just… sit with it.

Because she’s right.

"Yeah," I whisper. "I think I do."

The words hang between us, sinking in, solidifying.

And Allie, to her credit, doesn’t freak out. She doesn’t make some big dramatic reaction. She just… lets me sit in it.

Which is exactly what I need.

"Well, damn," she finally says, her voice softer now. "I knew you were falling, but hearing you actually admit it?" She pauses, then huffs out a small laugh. "You’re in deep."

"Tell me something I don’t know."

"Does he know?"

I bite my lip. Because that’s the real question, isn’t it?

"I don’t think so," I murmur. "I mean, maybe he can tell? I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it. I don’t even know if he feels the same way."

"Oh, he does."

I blink. "What?"

"Kenzie. Even Jake said Grant looks at you like he’s drowning and you’re the only thing keeping him afloat."

That stuns me. "Jake said that?"

"He didn’t use those exact words," she amends. "But, yeah. And Jake’s not exactly out here writing sonnets about people’s love lives, so if he noticed? It’s real."

I swallow. Hard. Because hearing Jake of all people say something like that?

That makes it real. That makes it terrifying. That makes it undeniable.

"So what do I do?" I whisper.

"You already know what to do," Allie says simply.

And she’s right. Because I do. I let out a slow breath, rubbing my temple.

"Thanks, Al."

"For what?"

"For being you. And for, I don’t know, not telling me I’m making a huge mistake."

"Oh, you definitely are."

I choke on a laugh. "What the hell?!"

"Kenzie. Love is a mistake. That’s literally the whole point of it. You do it anyway."

I don’t answer right away. I just let her words settle. Because as backwards as it sounds… she’s right.

Grant might be a mistake. But maybe he’s the right one.

"I gotta go," I say, my voice steadier now.

"Yeah, yeah. Go think about your feelings or whatever."

"You’re the worst."

"Love you too, idiot."

I hang up, staring at my phone.

Because now? Now I have to do something.

And before I can second-guess myself—

I tap Talia’s name and hit call.

Because if anyone is going to give me the truth, it’s her.

Talia answers on the first ring.

"If you’re calling to tell me you’re pregnant, I swear to God—"

"Jesus, Talia! What the hell?!" I choke on my own spit, nearly dropping my phone.

"What? It’s the only logical explanation for how weird you’ve been lately."

I groan, pressing my palm to my forehead.

"Not pregnant. Just… emotionally unhinged."

"Oh, so it’s about Silver Fox again."

I freeze. Because of course she knows. I don’t even have to say his name.

"What gave it away?" I mumble.

"Your face. Your mood. The fact that you had a layover in Denver, came back, and suddenly started looking like someone kicked your emotional support animal."

I sigh. Hard.

"I saw him today," I admit.

"And? Did you make a scene? Throw a drink in his face? Strip him naked and ride him into the sunset?"

I snort. "Wow. That escalated quickly."

"Kenzie, I have known you a long time. I know how you work. If you’re calling me instead of just bottling it up and ignoring your feelings, that means it’s bad. Worse than a couple weeks ago."

She’s right.

I don’t call people when things get complicated. I run. I dodge. I pretend I don’t care until the feelings disappear.

But this? This isn’t disappearing. This is sticking. Like a permanent marker on my goddamn soul.

"I saw him with his daughter," I say quietly.

And for once, Talia doesn’t have a joke.

She just… listens.

"Shit," she finally mutters. "That’s a game changer, huh?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it is."

"How bad is it?"

I let out a breath.

"I think I love him."

Silence.

Then—

"Yeah. You’re screwed."

I laugh, but it’s a little choked. "I know."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

And that’s the real question, isn’t it? Because I don’t know. I want him. But I’m terrified of what that means. Of what it would take to have him completely. Of what I’d have to risk.

But before I can answer—

My phone buzzes.

I pull it away from my ear and glance at the screen. And my stomach drops.

Grant.

"Holy shit," I whisper.

"It’s him, isn’t it?"

"Yeah."

"Well, don’t just sit there—read it!"

I hesitate.

Because this is it.

Whatever happens next changes everything.

I inhale sharply, then tap the screen—

And my heart slams into my ribs.

Because the message isn’t casual.

It’s not a “Hey.”

It’s not a “We should talk.”

It’s a question.

One that makes my skin prickle and my heart race.

Come over?

I stare at my phone.

At the message.

At his name.

And my heart is doing some Olympic-level gymnastics in my chest.

Because this isn’t small talk.

This isn’t a safe, flirty, meaningless text. This is him asking. This is him wanting me there. And the worst part?

The part that should terrify me? I want to go.

"Kenzie?"

Talia’s voice snaps me back.

"Yeah?"

"Why aren’t you moving?"

I blink. Because… good question.

"I— I don’t know."

"Babe. You just told me you love him. Why are you still sitting at your apartment?"

I open my mouth. Close it.

Because shit.

She’s right. I should be freaking out. I should be thinking about the risk, the consequences, the sheer insanity of this whole thing.

But instead?

I’m already grabbing my purse. Because it’s Grant. Because it’s always been Grant.

And no matter how much I try to fight it—

I don’t want to.

"Oh my God," Talia laughs. "You’re so gone for this man, it’s disgusting."

"Shut up."

"I won’t. But you should go. And maybe wear something that says ‘I’m here to make bad decisions’."

I snort. "That’s literally everything I own."

"Atta girl."

I don’t overthink it.

I don’t let myself get caught up in the what-ifs.

I just move.

Keys in hand.

Heart racing.

Mind made up.

Because whatever happens next?

I want it.

I want him.