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GRACE
Clark went back to California for a week or so to wrap up some loose ends with his job and our apartment. I stayed in town to help my mother plan our engagement party and start making some wedding plans. We’d never done any of that yet since we were so far away. My father especially would pressure us to come back, but I would always use Clark’s work as an excuse. My father was an asshole, but he could appreciate a man that worked hard.
I was in between jobs at the time and Clark didn’t pressure me to find anything. He would just comment I could stay home until after we had kids and they were at least in school. Clark was old school, and it was my least favorite quality about him. He would often make decisions that affected the both of us without consulting me.
It bothered me at first and I would say something. We would argue and I’d give in. After a while I gave up, as it wasn’t worth fighting about anymore.
I’d resigned myself to this life now and I wasn’t unhappy. Clark did love me. He was kind and funny and would make a great father. He was a hard worker and very ambitious. Clark was a good lover, always making sure I came first. Life with him wouldn’t be terrible.
But often, in the dark of night when I couldn’t sleep, I would think about Rhett. I could keep him out of my mind all day, but when I laid next to Clark wide awake, he would fill my thoughts.
I was devastated when I found out he betrayed my family and me, but that didn’t stop me from loving him. I would think about us somewhere no one knew us, living the life we had talked about, with a couple of kids right now. We’d be living carefree from this stupid world of politics I hated.
I would imagine what sex with Rhett would be like. I regretted not sleeping with him like he wanted me to. I thought we had all the time in the world. Instead, Clark was the one to take my virginity and be the man I would sleep with my whole life.
I often closed my eyes when Clark was on top of me, picturing Rhett there instead. I knew it wasn’t right though; Rhett would be fucking me with a passion that Clark lacked.
Some nights, I would touch myself until I came, imagining Rhett and I together.
But only in the dark cover of night.
During the day, I was the perfect daughter and the perfect fiancé.
The upside to being the governor elect’s daughter and having money was that most people I had to talk to in planning my engagement party and my wedding would come to the house. When I had to go anywhere, I was terrified I would see Rhett. I didn’t know if I could handle it, especially alone.
I’d been working with my mother’s party planner on the engagement party. She was supposed to come to the house but had some last-minute errands and asked me if I could meet her at a coffee shop downtown. Despite my fear of leaving the house in case I ran into Rhett, I agreed. It was in a more upscale part of town, and I doubted assassins went to trendy coffee shops.
One thing I missed about California was I could go out and about wearing leggings and t-shirts, not worried about what my hair and makeup looked like. That was no longer the case now that I was home. We’d learned early on you never know who will see you when out in public.
I did wear leggings and one of Clark’s Harvard Law sweatshirts but made sure my messy bun and makeup were flawless. I had one of the drivers take me and drop me off a few blocks away. It was a gorgeous day out and I was a little bit tired of being cooped up.
As I walked down the busy street, I almost felt like I was being watched. That wasn’t unusual given who my family was, but I hated it, nonetheless. I couldn’t wait to get inside the coffee shop.
I jumped when I felt a hand on my arm and turned around. Standing in front of me was Rhett, the one person I was worried about seeing. My heart jumped into my throat, and I instantly felt like I was going to throw up.
He looked the same – devastatingly handsome with his brown hair combed back. Rhett was wearing a designer suite and I found myself staring. When we hung out years ago, he only wore jeans and t-shirts along with a leather jacket.
“Hello, Grace.”
That voice. His deep voice that always got me to the core and made my panties melt even if he read a grocery list.
“Hi, Rhett.”
“I saw you were back in town. Congrats on your engagement.”
“Thanks.” I licked my lips and looked around. If any news outlets saw me and took my picture with him, I would have a lot of explaining to do. It wouldn’t look good for my father or my fiance.
I found myself looking down at his hand to see if he was wearing a ring.
“I’m not married, Grace.” He stepped closer and I caught a whiff of his cologne. My knees started to tremble; it was the same as when we were kids. I used to love how I would come home smelling like him for hours.
“I have to go Rhett.” I started to turn and he grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I looked at his hand and gasped.
“Let me go. I’ll scream.”
He frowned but let me go. “I just want to talk to you, Grace. I want to explain that night to you.”
I shook my head and fought back tears. “No Rhett. There’s no explanation needed. I’m glad I discovered who you really were before we ran off and I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with you.”
