Page 38

I watch Grant set his phone down, slow and deliberate.

Like he’s containing a storm. My chest tightens. Because I know this look. The controlled, barely-there rage. The clench of his jaw.

The weight of something pressing down on him—something bigger than just us. And I understand exactly what’s at stake.

Olivia.

This isn’t just about some petty ex. It’s about his daughter. And Lauren knows it.

“She’s really doing this,” I murmur.

Grant’s hands ball into fists.

“She’s always played games,” he mutters. “But this is different.”

I exhale slowly, reaching for his wrist.

When my fingers brush his skin, he finally meets my gaze.

And what I see?

It’s not just anger.

It’s fear.

A man who’s already lost too much—who’s suddenly terrified he might lose again.

I tighten my grip.

“We’re not letting her win,” I say, voice firm.

Grant lets out a breath, but it’s not steady.

“I should’ve seen this coming,” he mutters. “I should’ve prepared—”

I cut him off.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “You’re not doing that.”

Grant blinks. “Doing what?”

I hold his gaze.

“Blaming yourself for someone else’s bullshit.”

His throat bobs.

But I’m not done.

“Lauren is doing this because she’s bitter. Because she doesn’t want you happy. And because she knows exactly what buttons to push.”

I pause, take a breath.

“But she doesn’t get to win. Not this time.”

Grant stares at me for a long moment. Then, finally, he exhales. Some of the tension leaves his shoulders.

Not all.

But enough.

Then, he cups the back of my neck, tugging me forward, resting his forehead against mine.

“I love you,” he murmurs.

My breath catches.

And when I whisper it back? I mean it more than anything.

Grant doesn’t let go right away. He keeps his forehead against mine, breathing me in, grounding himself. Because this moment—this promise—is the only thing keeping him from coming completely undone.

Lauren’s words still echo in my head.

Think of it as an opportunity, Grant. To decide what matters most.

Like there’s a choice to be made.

Like I can’t exist in the same world as Olivia.

Bullshit.

Grant tightens his grip, his fingers pressing into my waist.

He won’t let Lauren dictate his life.

Not anymore.

And he damn sure won’t let her take his daughter away from him.

I pull back first, scanning his face.

“What’s the next step?” I ask.

Because of course I’m thinking ahead.

Of course I’m ready to fight.

God, I love him.

He exhales, running a hand down his face.

“I need to call my lawyer,” he mutters.

I nod. “Good. Who is it?”

Grant pauses.

“Shit.”

I blink. “That’s not a name.”

He exhales again, sharper this time.

“I had a guy during the divorce. But Lauren’s lawyer—she chewed him up and spit him out.”

I cross my arms. “So we get you a better one.”

Grant scoffs. “That’s easier said than done. She hires the best money can buy.”

I don’t hesitate. “Then we hire better.”

His turmoil makes my chest ache.

I get it. It’s not that simple.

He will have to fight through hell for this.

But he doesn’t say that.

Because if there’s one thing he’s learned about me?

I don’t give up.

And neither can he.

“Okay,” he says finally. “I’ll make some calls.”

I nod firmly. “And I’ll reach out to some contacts too.”

Grant arches a brow. “Since when do you have legal contacts?”

I smirk. “I may just have a secret weapon.”

Grant chuckles despite himself.

He cups my face, letting his thumb skim over my cheekbone.

Then, voice lower—

“You’re in this with me?”

I give him a look.

“Grant.”

Like he’s an idiot for even asking. Like I couldn’t be anywhere else but here.

Then I lean up, pressing a kiss to his lips—soft, sure, final.

“We’re in this together.”

And for the first time since that phone call, Grant looks like he feels like maybe—just maybe—we’ll win.

I lean against the counter, watching as Grant paces the kitchen, phone pressed to his ear.

He’s been on the call for fifteen minutes.

And judging by the way his jaw keeps clenching, the conversation isn’t going well.

“Look, I don’t care what it costs,” he says, voice sharp. “I need the best, and I need them now.”

A pause.

His fingers drum against the counter.

I catch a glimpse of his expression in the window reflection.

Frustration.

Determination.

A man ready for war.

“Yeah. I understand,” he says finally. “Send me what you’ve got.”

He hangs up without another word.

I don’t wait.

I step forward, sliding my arms around his waist, resting my cheek against his back.

“Bad news?” I murmur.

Grant lets out a slow breath, his muscles slowly unclenching.

“They’re looking into options,” he mutters. “But the kind of lawyer we need? They don’t come cheap. And Lauren already has a head start.”

I tilt my chin up.

“Then we even the playing field.”

Grant huffs a dry laugh, turning in my arms.

“You make it sound easy.”

I arch a brow. “I didn’t say it would be easy.”

Grant studies me.

Then, finally, he exhales, brushing his thumb across my cheek.

“I don’t deserve you.”

I smirk. “No, you don’t.”

Grant chuckles, pulling me closer.

But before he can kiss me—

My phone rings.

I groan.

“Unless it’s a lawyer, I’m ignoring it.”

Grant leans in, murmuring against my ear—

“Check it. Could be your secret weapon pulling through.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

But grab my phone anyway. And when I see the caller ID? My heart skips.

“Allie.”

I don’t hesitate.

I swipe to answer, pressing the phone to my ear.

“Allie?”

“Tell me why I just got off the phone with Jake, and he mentioned something about you and Grant going to war with his crazy ex?”

I sag against the counter.

“Because that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Grant watches me closely, arms crossed, tension coiled tight.

Allie lets out a breath.

“I figured. Which is why I already made some calls.”

I blink. “You what?”

“I talked to Gator. His fiancé, Jessica, is an attorney and between her and her father, they know the absolute best in the business for whatever kinds of legal issues may arise,” Allie says simply. “She’s going to set you up with the best damn custody lawyer in the state.”

My heart kicks up.

“Wait. You’re serious?”

Grant straightens immediately.

Allie snorts. “Kenzie, I do not joke about legal battles with psychotic ex-wives.”

I grip the phone tighter.

“And?”

“And you’ve got a meeting tomorrow at noon. Grant needs to be there, and he needs to be ready to fight.”

I meet Grant’s gaze.

His eyes are sharp, locked on me.

“Did you hear that?” I ask, voice tight.

Grant nods.

His jaw tightens.

His fingers flex.

And then—

“Yeah,” he says, voice like steel. “We’ll be there.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Since Lauren’s call—

Hope doesn’t feel like a long shot.