Page 115 of Getting Down to Business

This was not the first time she’d alluded to not deserving happiness.

“Of course you’re supposed to be happy. You didn’t do anything. You didn’t hurt those girls. Donnie did.”

“I didn’t stop him!”

“What do you mean?”

“I could have figured out what he was doing and stopped him.”

He stared at her for a moment wondering how she could think that. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, but he knew from the look on her face, he’d never convince her. She believed this for too many years.

He wanted to be the one to pick up the pieces and help her mend, but he didn’t know how. He remembered something Iz had mentioned about closure, and decided it would be worth a shot. He’d do anything to help her. Even visit her ex-fiancé in prison.

Over the next week, they kept their distance from each other. They didn’t even watch television together. Most evenings, Alyssa took her dinner to her room and stayed in there.

That was fine, it gave Grayson the time he needed to make travel plans and talk to his sister.

By Tuesday night, everything was in place.

* * * *

Something was up with Gray.

“I have a work thing I have to go to this evening. It might be late when I get back,” Gray said on Wednesday morning as they got ready for work.

“Okay.”

As if a reflex, he leaned down to kiss her, and then quickly pulled back. When he stood and didn’t meet her eyes, she knew he was lying.

She knew it as sure as if he had been wearing a T-shirt that said, “I don’t have a work thing tonight. I’m doing something I don’t want you to know about.”

“Have a nice day,” she said, trying to get him to look at her.

He just nodded and left.

For a few minutes, Alyssa tried to fight off tears. Stupid, irrational tears she had no business having. She and Gray weren’t together. She’d even told him he should go out with someone. But now that it seemed that was happening, she hated the idea.

When had she become fickle? She disliked fickleness.

Mia stopped in her office.

“Let me guess, you broke up with the guy?” Alyssa said as she pulled her laptop from her bag.

“No. I gave my notice. I was able to get a job in Philadelphia. And no, it’s not porn. It’s a legit job, thank you very much.”

“I’m sorry. I’m happy for you.”

“I don’t think you’re happy at all. What is going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar,” Mia called her out with an expectant frown. “Spill.”

“I told Grayson I didn’t want a relationship, like I’ve been telling him since we met. I think he’s going out with someone tonight.”

“Like you told him to do,” Mia said with her brows raised.

“Yeah.”