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I had an idea, and it stopped my movement completely. “If you want to take advantage of shooting on the property, I’m amenable to that under the condition you use some of the photos to highlight the place for the website. If we can get more photographer bookings at a premium, that’s good business.”
Val’s violet eyes widened. “Really?”
I nodded. “Of course. Why not?”
She shrugged, but I knew what she was thinking without her voicing the words. “It’s incredibly generous, and I am happy to take you up on your offer. I’ll even use Trey if his handsome mug will help us all succeed.”
“Exactly.” I laughed and my feet started to move again. “I know I seem like a hard ass, but I really do want everyone to succeed.”
“I know,” Valona assured me. “You have a hard outer shell but you’re a softie at heart. The people you let get to know you know that too, Margot. I promise.” She stared at me for a long time, and I started to feel uncomfortable, and when she hugged me again that feeling intensified. “We’ll talk soon. Call if you need anything…oh!” Valona’s gaze was on me so she didn’t see the giant wall of man and muscle until she bumped into him. “Sorry. Oh, Grady. What are you doing here?”
His blue gaze was fixed on me, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk.” He stared through Valona and his gaze never wavered.
My gaze remained fixed on Grady, but I was aware of Valona’s confused look as it bounced back and forth between us. “Oh,” she said and took a step forward before she paused again. “Oh,” she repeated as understanding dawned. “I’ll just get out of your way and we’ll talk…soon.” Valona stepped around Grady and turned to face me. “Good luck,” she mouthed behind his back.
“Grady.” His name came out in a flat tone that belied my surprise and slight joy over seeing him, because it meant he hadn’t just said those words because they were expected. He’d meant them. “Come on in.”
Grady nodded and motioned for me to lead the way, and I walked on wooden legs towards my office where I quickly sat down just in case my legs decided to give out.
“Grady,” I said again, this time with a bit more enthusiasm. “What brings you by.”
His fiery brows dipped. “We need to talk,” he growled. “And I brought you lunch.”
I smiled at Grady. He was gruff and kind all in the same breath, and I didn’t know how to take that, or realize the impact it would have on me. “Thanks but you didn’t need to do that.”
He set the bag on the lone spot of desk not covered by papers and took the seat across from me. He leaned back, looking relaxed as if he didn’t have a care in the world, one eyebrow arched in question. “So you’ve eaten lunch already?”
“No.”
“Breakfast?”
I shook my head. “I had a few bites of oatmeal, but it’s difficult to eat most mornings.”
“Then you’re welcome.” He nodded, urging me to open the bag.
“What is it?” I peeked inside, disappointed to find that it wasn’t what I hoped for. “No nachos?”
He laughed. “No. It’s a shredded chicken, brown rice and spinach burrito with the works. It’s healthy and contains everything you and the baby need.”
I blinked. “Need?”
“Yeah. For the baby to grow, and for you to have energy for your long work days.”
I held my breath and waited for the expected speech on my long work hours, and the inevitable fight that would follow. “Okay.”
Grady only shrugged. “Nothing else, that’s it. Eat it, you’ll like it.”
He didn’t push or cajole, and I appreciated that. It was unexpectedly sweet, and I felt the tears sting my eyes before they clouded my vision. “Sorry, don’t mind me.” I shook my head, feeling silly at the tears that started to fall.
“If you don’t like it, you can just tell me,” he said sounding slightly panicked. “Don’t eat it and cry about it.”
I smiled. “It’s not that, it’s just that this was a very sweet gesture. Thank you Grady.”
He frowned and looked utterly confused. “Oh. Okay. You’re welcome, I guess.”
I felt his gaze on me as I devoured the burrito with animalistic vigor, savoring the sweet and spicy flavor of the meat, the texture of the rice and the green taste of the spinach. It wasn’t what I would have chosen, but the salsa brought it all together even if there was no cheese or sour cream. “Delicious.”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied with that one word compliment. “Look Margot, I meant what I said the other day. You might not be thrilled that you got pregnant by a lowly bartender, but I won’t hide from this or run from my responsibility. This moral dilemma, or shame or whatever the hell it is, it’s yours, not mine. I’m here, and I plan to be here for whatever you need. However you need me.”
