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All thoughts of chocolate and vegetables fled as Grace realized that Greg was moving. “Greg, what are you doing?”
He was on one knee.
She tried to tug her hand free. “Greg, get up, this is—”
Oh, God. That box. That perfectly robin’s-egg-blue box.
How many times had she dreamed of this moment? Dreamed of Greg looking exactly like he did now?
But she couldn’t say yes. Could she? He was a scumbag.
Everyone makes mistakes, 1.0 whispered.
Plus, she was starting to think she might be halfway in love with someone else.
Who’s not in love with you back, 2.0 said bluntly.
Grace didn’t want this. Did she?
“Grace,” Greg said softly, opening the box and revealing a stunning princess-cut ring. “Marry me.”
Grace felt close to throwing up as she waited for 1.0 and 2.0 to start hollering advice. But there was only silence.
It was the biggest decision of her life.
And she was on her own.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In the end, telling Greg no had been surprisingly easy.
And not just because he’d betrayed her. But because he no longer made her happy.
The kicker? He hadn’t even been that upset. When she’d gently closed the gorgeous box and told him he didn’t really want to marry her, he’d protested at first. But when she asked point blank if he was asking out of guilt—out of panic that his once perfect life was a little rocky—he hadn’t been able to look her in the eyes.
Which was answer enough, really.
They’d talked long into the night. About the way they’d been. The way they were. And when he’d finally left, she’d waited for the sense of relief at finally, finally being able to truly move on.
Instead she felt lost.
Because the truth was, although Grace hadn’t wanted Greg, a part of her did want what he was offering. The ring, the wedding, the happily-ever-after.
Something in her gut told her she’d never be getting that from Jake Malone. Hell, that was something she shouldn’t even be thinking about. She’d only known the guy for, what … a couple of months?
Now, on the morning after the failed proposal debacle, Grace was at a standstill.
She debated calling one of her friends. Emma in particular would likely have some rational, talk-her-down-off-the-ledge advice. But for the first time in a long time, Grace wasn’t in the mood for girl talk.
Especially after a disheartening call with her mother. Grace had made the mistake of telling her mom about Greg’s visit, and while Elizabeth Brighton had understood Grace’s reasoning, she’d let slip one of those toxic mom-isms: You aren’t getting any younger.
Thanks, Mom. For a second there I’d forgotten I was in my late twenties and single.
Almost single.
Or was she …?
Then Grace was out the door, determined to get some answers from Jake Malone.
