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Her eyebrows shoot up. “Can you do that?”
“I wish.” I sip slowly. “It has to be approved by the board.”
She frowns. “What do I need to do to impress them?”
“When you find out, let me know.”
I’m starting for my office when she stops me. “Hey, I never got to tell you. Gray said something to Dag Saturday night—”
“What time is Riley getting here?” I’m not sure I want to gossip with Dotty about Gray. After what happened last night, I’m feeling pretty fragile.
“She called and said she’s running a few minutes late.” We both check the clock.
“So twenty minutes?”
“Probably.” Dotty enters my office behind me. “It really bothered Dag. He didn’t know if he should tell you or not, but I said yes, he definitely should.”
A painful knot is in my throat, and I stand behind my desk, looking at my black computer screen as I take another sip of hot coffee.
“I don’t know, Dot. I mean, if it’s something Gray wants me to know—”
Her voice drops to just above a whisper. “I think it’ll help you understand why he’s being so distant.”
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I study her face. “We’ve been talking a lot about the accident… and the aftermath.”
She nods. “So he probably already told you. He and Danny had this massive fight right before it happened… about you.”
Shock flashes in my chest. “About me?”
“Gray said Danny had found out you two were… together, I guess, and he really flipped out about it. Told Gray he wasn’t good enough for you… he didn’t deserve you.” She shrugs. “All that stuff people used to say about you two.”
This is news to me. “People knew we were together?”
“Good lord, of course we did.” She shakes her head like I’m so naive. “You were always sneaking off together at the lake house. Leslie said she took a picture of you together. She was going to use it as blackmail, but I don’t know what happened to that.”
Anger burns at the base of my throat. “Leslie is such a bitch.”
Dotty nods. “She’s always wanted to have her cake and eat it, too. Or blow it, too.”
Taking a deep inhale, I nod, ready to end this conversation. “I guess that does explain some things. Thanks, Dot.”
“It was their last conversation before Danny died.” Her eyes are round, mournful. “I’m sure it’s just eating away at him.”
Dotty and her drama. I know she means well, or I’d tell her to mind her own business. As it is, I simply say, “I’ll talk to him about it.”
Her face instantly brightens with a smile. “I knew you would. You’ll talk to him, and that’ll take care of that ole pesky distance. You two can pick right up where you left off.”
I’m starting to understand Hunter’s paranoia. It’s like everyone in town knows more about my business than I do.
Riley’s appearance in the lobby saves me from any more of this conversation. Too bad it doesn’t take away my heaviness. First the PTSD, now the fight with Danny… I feel like I’m getting a headache, and all I want to do is put my arms around Gray and tell him none of it matters.
Only I know it matters to him. Danny’s words must have hurt him so much. They’re the same words he said to me last night.
A soft knock on the door snaps me out of it. “Are you ready to start now?” Riley’s eyes are round.
“Yes, please come in.” I gesture to the chair in front of me. “Have a seat. Here or on the couch, whichever you prefer.”
She takes the chair across from my desk. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
