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It’s funny how everything can change in a matter of minutes.
My mystery man, the one I can’t stop fantasizing about, is sitting in my dad’s boardroom while I try to figure out what the hell just happened.
Grayson Bassett is Gray from New York.
For one, I didn’t know he had a family business. I also didn’t know our new hometowns were going to be the same place, and I was going to be sitting across from him in my dad’s law firm, pretending I don’t know every inch of his muscular body and perfect face.
I can’t wait to text Darby and tell her, she’s gonna freak.
I can taste his sweetness as we walk back to the conference room. I can smell his scent on me from our embrace. I love how he places his hand on the small of my back when we re-enter the room.
But everything is quickly overshadowed when I see my dad leaning forward on the desk, taking a few slow breaths while Regina is telling him to breathe while she pours him a glass of water.
“Dad!” I race forward, placing my hand on his back as he sits upright.
“I’m fine.” He tries to wave it off like he always does.
“You’re not fine,” I gripe, annoyed. I’ve just about had it with him saying that. I knew this was a bad idea, but my fucking stubborn father won’t be told.
“Should I call an ambulance?” Regina looks worried.
“Just give me a minute,” he says. “Can’t a man take a few moments to get his breath back?”
“I’ll drive you to the hospital,” Gray says out of nowhere. “I don’t think you should be going over my problems now, Jim. When did you get out of the hospital?”
“Yesterday!” I answer for him. “He’s as stubborn as a mule!”
Obviously, dad told Gray about it before the meeting, that’s probably why he was so surprised to see him sitting there.
Regina hands dad the glass of water and he takes a few sips while I watch him, concerned. He keeps insisting that he’s okay.
“You’re supposed to be resting,” I whisper. “Please, dad?”
He looks up and meets my gaze, and the recognition in his eyes is a little heartbreaking. As tough as my dad has been in the past, as well as having to fight for his approval with him being so wrapped up in Patrick, it all falls by the wayside.
I love my dad immeasurably, even if it hasn’t always been easy. Linda and I have been nagging him because we care, and he has to listen this time. I don’t care what he says.
“Alright.” Dad nods before turning to Gray, resigned to the fact. “I’m so sorry,” he says. “But this time I’d better do what my daughter tells me. Lord knows what my wife is going to say when she finds out I’m not at home.”
I gape at him. Never in my entire life has my father ever shown any inclination he’d remotely listen to me about anything. Maybe the old dog is mellowing in his old age?
Gray shakes it off. “I wouldn’t mess with her, either.” He smirks. “All jokes aside, you shouldn’t be here. I know these ladies have my best interests at heart. Do what you need to do, Jim.”
“That they do,” Dad agrees. “How about we reschedule for Monday? Hartley and Regina will draw up your wishes over the weekend and we will tackle this caveat head on. We both know Keira is clutching at straws and trying to draw this out.”
“I agree with you, and I’m happy with whatever you decide. Monday works for me,” Gray says firmly.
I interject swiftly, knowing that Gray wants to move on this quickly. Every minute we’re not doing something to finalize this divorce for him is another minute he’s probably stressing and losing sleep. I don’t have to know him deeply to know that fact. It’s a given with these kinds of things, especially when one party isn’t understanding that things are over.
“I’m happy to discuss with Mr. Bassett further if you have time later today?” I say, looking up at Gray, as straight laced as I can be. “Let's discuss the plan and how you wish to proceed, then Regina and I will collaborate on Monday and send our response. I suggest dragging it out for her for a few days. Give her a taste of her own medicine.”
“That sounds good.” Gray appraises me, but he’s gone back to being all business and professional. Thankfully, the anger I saw flare in him earlier, and the hurt in his eyes over Coyote Run, is gone.
I'm glad, because if there’s one thing I know in family law, dwelling on the other person's shitty attempts to hurt you is futile. Especially when it’s done to get a rise or hit you where it hurts. And while that’s often easier said than done, it’s real people’s lives on the chopping block. It isn’t a game of monopoly. I understood that a long time ago; this is real and people get hurt. We have to tread carefully for Gray’s sake.
When there’s intense conflicts going on with settlements, the stress of it all can be insurmountable. I’ve seen some terrible things and outcomes in my time when people couldn’t handle the stress. Thank God I’ve never been through a divorce.
Dad always says you’ve never really lived until you’ve gone through one.
