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Charles’s brows furrowed. “Now wait a minute—what are you saying? We only sent you away for a year and thought we’d bring you back, but whenever we called, your uncle would say you didn’t want to talk to us, that you were adjusting so well over there and we shouldn’t bother you. Damn near broke our hearts!”

Grayson felt like he’d been punched in the gut, but at the same time, he somehow wasn’t surprised. His uncle would say all that—all so he wouldn’t have to bother dealing with it in the first place.

“Why did you believe him?” Grayson asked, taking in a shuddering breath. “You should have visited. Seen for yourself.”

“We did,” Charles said, blue eyes shining. “Over Christmas, but you were at school … your uncle said you liked spending it there with your friends. Still, we went to the school to see you, but you wouldn’t come out and meet us. You were too busy with your friends, the caretaker said.”

Grayson was confused. He hadn’t had any friends; he’d had bullies.

Who had probably made up that lie as a joke.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Grayson swore as tears rolled down his cheeks. He wiped them away. It was such absolute shit luck.

All this time, he’d thought …

“We kept trying,” Charles said. “Please, believe me. We did want you, but we figured if you were so well adjusted there, it would be better for you to move on and not be reminded of the past. It’s what your uncle said, too. Said it was the practical thing to do.”

“He didn’t care about me,” Grayson said, voice miserable. “I was a headache for him, he probably just wanted you guys to stop bothering him.” He shook his head. “But I wanted to be here. I hated it there. I was so alone.”

“We missed you like hell,” Charles said, voice breaking. Tears fell down his cheeks. “We wanted you here, too, but we—we really thought we were doing what was best for you. I should have known better. I should have— I’m sorry, son. I’m so, so sorry.”

Grayson took in a shuddering breath, heart breaking.

All those lost years. All that pain.

“Is that why you’ve been angry with me all this time?” Charles asked. Grayson nodded. “I don’t blame you, kid. It was never us not wanting you, Gray. I wish your grandma was here to tell you the same. We always wanted you; we loved you as much as life itself. And that’s why I’m so happy you’re here with me now.”

“I’m glad I’m here, too,” Grayson said.

They stood at the same time, meeting in the middle as they hugged. Grayson felt as though the sharp rock that had been wedged in his heart had finally tumbled loose.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Lucy

Valentine’s Day passed, but the themed sweet treats—chocolate-covered strawberries, red velvet cupcakes, lava cakes, heart cookies, chocolate truffles—Lucy made for the holiday stayed for a few days after, as did the desire for romance.

Grayson had been so kind after that disastrous date (she had deleted Hinge immediately upon arriving home), and even if he had rejected her, she didn’t want to go back to fighting.

She rather liked it when they weren’t fighting, which in and of itself was scary, but she was trying not to be scared.

They were friends now, but it was a delicate thread she didn’t want to pull in case it snapped. So instead, she focused on others’ love stories, sitting with Charles by the fire as he told her and Grayson how he’d met Sophie.

Charles sat in a lounge chair, and she was at his feet, legs crossed, while Grayson had sunk into the other lounge chair, a soft smile on his face. They each had a little plate of sweet treats.

Charles and Grayson were growing closer, which was heartwarming to see. When Grayson had mentioned how angry he was with Charles for sending him away, Lucy had suspected there’d been some sort of misunderstanding; she knew for a fact that Charles had wanted Grayson.

It seemed whatever misunderstanding had been between them was resolved, and she was glad for it. A part of her felt jealous, not wanting to share—but she saw how happy it made Charles to have Grayson so near, and her joy eclipsed any jealousy.

It was lovely, the three of them together and at peace.

“Wait a second,” Grayson said, interrupting Charles’s story. His tone was incredulous. “You fell in love at work? I wouldn’t expect corporate America to be the most romantic of places.”

“Son, you can find romance anywhere if you’re open to it,” Charles said, chuckling. “We were at the same office in Manhattan, hired at the same time. We were rivals, actually, though she was way smarter than I was. But back then, you know how it was: She was a girl, so she had a tough time.”

“Ah, good old misogyny,” Lucy said, taking a bite of her strawberry.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t make it easier for her,” Charles said, a little sheepish. “I antagonized her every chance I got, just to get her to pay attention to me.”