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My heart dipped. “So, you still keep in touch?”
He glanced my way, but I pretended to be interested in the passing scenery. “Yeah, I speak to her occasionally, mostly to keep my parents happy. They’re holding on to the hope that I’ll change my mind. They think not marrying her is some belated act of rebellion.”
“They do realise you’re not fifteen anymore, right?”
He chuckled. “I actually think my father is angrier than Mel. That’s why I’m still in New York. He can’t even meet my eye right now.”
“That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?”
“You don’t know my dad.”
My brow arched, but I didn’t comment. “So, what have you been doing since Hank and Sabrina’s wedding?”
“Trying to get back on my father’s good side,” he said, with a sigh. “He wants a bigger east coast portfolio, so I’m here to find some new business prospects. His arch nemesis just jumped above our family on America’s most wealthy list, and he can’t handle it. Had I married Mel, our rank would have sky-rocketed.”
I grimaced. “I guess that’s what happens when you have too much money.” I stopped walking and turned to him with a smile. “It’s just like that Bruce Springsteen song.”
The corner of his mouth turned up. “You like Springsteen?”
“Who fucking doesn’t?”
He chuckled and nodded. “Go on.”
“You know the song Badlands?” I started humming the tune and singing the lyrics about how having too much money only makes you crave power.
“That’s actually pretty spot on.”
“Bruce is always on point,” I said proudly. My dad was a huge fan, as was I.
With a deep-chested laugh, Grayson nodded in agreement and we continued walking.
While elaborating on my love of music, I spotted two elderly men heckling each other as they played chess. There was a gleam in one man’s eye, so I glanced down at the chessboard. Anticipating his next move, I brought the camera to my face and angled it towards Grayson who stood in front of them.
“Smile,” I said, and Grayson hesitantly obliged. Only the photo wasn’t of him. I moved the camera angle ever so slightly and zoomed in on the old man as he took out his friend’s king then erupted into a fit of laughter. Snap.
Grayson rubbed the back of his neck. “That wasn’t even of me, was it?”
I shook my head and winced. “I’m sorry. I needed the cover to get the shot.”
He followed my gaze to the chess game, that had evolved into a heated argument, and turned back to me. Glancing down at the camera, he held out his hand. “Can I see?”
I stepped closer until our toes were almost touching, and lifted the camera to his eyes. “Do you need your glasses?”
He wiggled his sunglasses. “Prescription.”
Grayson took the camera from my hands and stared into the display screen. “Wow, this is so great, Josie. Anytime you need a cover, I’m your man.”
My body filled with warmth as he passed the camera back. “Thank you,” I said, meeting his eyes through the dark shades.
“How do you read people’s emotions so quickly? I barely even noticed the chess game before you had your camera pointed their way. Mind you, I have been a little distracted.” He grinned.
I playfully rolled my eyes. “I’ve always been an observer, picking up on subtle clues. It’s not always about a person’s smile, or their tears, it’s everything leading up to them. The glistening eyes, the trembling lip, the clenched jaw…they all show something deeper. That is where the beauty lies.”
His gaze remained on mine for a moment longer before breaking away. His cheeks grew pink as he diverted his attention to the old men setting up their next game.
“You’re afraid I’m reading you right now, aren’t you?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up and he let out a nervous chuckle as he turned back. “Should I b—”
