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Chapter 24
Cash
“Didn’t expect to wake up with you here,” I say honestly with a smile as I kiss Grace’s forehead. I’m shocked she didn’t sneak out in the middle of the night. Instead, her chestnut hair is splayed on the pillow beside mine, and her legs are curled around my own.
She groans. “I’m surprised I’m here too.”
I lean down to tickle her, wanting to loosen those frown lines, and she squirms beneath me. Last night I didn’t get to lay out my plan. The one that involves us staying together and fuck whatever everyone else thinks. The one the publicist is currently drafting for me. We were a little preoccupied with naked activities, and between my morning wood and her soft naked skin we may have to put the conversation off for another hour.
Just as I’m skating my hand down her stomach, my phone rings. She tenses below me, and I mutter “ignore it,” as I brush a kiss against her neck. My hand moves lower and is millimeters from sinking into her warmth when the ringing starts again. I growl into her neck, and she laughs.
“Get the phone; I’m going to brush my teeth.” She hops out of bed, and my eyes trail her bare ass until the bathroom door shuts. I groan and answer the phone which is ringing yet again.
I already know it will be Cat before I even look at it. We promised to do brunch every Sunday now that I’m back. It was the one meal my grandfather always made it to after church. Then he’d disappear back to the office. Some families did Sunday dinner but not us, we brunch.
“Morning Kit Cat,” I say into the phone as I put it on speaker so I can grab a pair of sweats. Talking to my sister while naked feels weird.
“Morning Cash Money,” she retorts, bringing a laugh from my chest. “Where did you disappear to last night? Vanessa was not happy.”
I sense a bit of judgment in her tone, but I let it slide. “Just wasn’t feeling it. Decided to head home early.”
“Oh, that’s odd because I saw you leave the club with a brunette under your arm. Is she still there?” she whispers into the phone.
“Do you think I would pick up the phone if I had a girl in my bed right now?”
I mean she’s in the other room but still.
“First of all, she looked like a woman. Second, I have no idea what you do when you bring a woman home because you rarely do. But now this is two weekends in the past month where you’ve had women in your bed.”
I swallow. Woman. Not Women. I’ve had one woman in my bed for the last month. She’s right. Rubbing my head, I try to think of a reply, but I’ve got nothing. “Where are we meeting for brunch?”
Cat groans. “Oh, you aren’t getting off that easy. Don’t change the subject. Please do not tell me you took home the witch.”
My pressure skyrockets, and I want to reach through the phone and strangle my sister. I take her off speaker and hiss into the phone, “Do not call her that.”
“Oh, Cash, please tell me you’re smarter than this. She’s married!”
I lose my temper. “She’s getting a fucking divorce. And it’s none of your business. If you can’t support me—”
Cat sighs. “I’m sorry. Let’s start over. What time are we meeting for brunch?”
I’ve honestly lost my appetite. Grace has been in the bathroom for a while now, and I’m pretty sure it’s not because she needs to be in there. I need to end this phone call and turn this day around. “10:30?” I reply.
“Sounds good. I find it oddly comforting that the restaurant is actually called Brunch,” she says, trying to lighten the mood.
I run my hands through my hair and sigh. “You would, Kit Cat.” Rolling my eyes, I hang up. Seconds later the bathroom door opens and Grace walks out, her eyes looking in every direction but at me.
Not knowing how much of the conversation she heard, I prepare for the worst. “I’m…uh…I’m going to go. I told Tessa I’d meet her for lunch,” she says, still avoiding my eyes.
“Gracie.”
Ignoring my steady gaze, Grace searches the room for her dress which I tossed on the floor last night after ripping it off her. I hate that she has to wear it home. The last thing I want her doing is the walk of shame. There is nothing shameful about what happened between us last night despite how today is turning out.
She slips on the dress, and I say her name again, this time with more force. “Gracie, come here.”
She raises her eyes as she walks over and turns her back to me, waiting for me to zip her up. I take a moment to inhale, breathing in her goodness and light, and kiss the small of her neck before I close the zipper. When she spins around, her eyes show only defeat. “Your family hates me.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care about them.”
