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I am dying to find out more details about this very strange situation of ours, so I won’t say no.
“I’d like that.”
“Then follow me.” He points to the door across from us. It’s wedged open with a large wrought-iron doorstopper that looks like an anvil. It looks out of place in comparison to everything else but still carries that cool edge you can’t help but associate with Jericho Grayson.
I follow him as he leads the way and gear myself up to hear more about this plan of his, which I’m sure will lead me deeper down the rabbit hole.
ChapterEighteen
River
Using the side entrance, we re-enter the house. I haven’t used this entrance before because I’ve been using the main section of the house.
This route leads into one of the narrow hallways that have paintings of landscapes and ships on the walls.
We reach his office. I’ve only seen the closed door and the windows from outside. It will be interesting to go inside. I’ve never been in a home office before or known anyone who had one. Dad came close, but his was more of a workshop. At least that’s what he called it.
Jericho opens the door, and we walk inside. The scent of musk and leather greets me, along with mahogany furniture. There are rows of bookshelves on the wall, a drinks cabinet with an espresso machine next to it, and a wooden chessboard I recognize over by the long casement window.
He had that when he was in high school. He told me his mother made one for him and another for Knight. She sculpted all the pieces. The gift was a reminder that life can be like a game of chess.
I’ve always agreed. People like the Graysons are the rulers, while people like me and mine are pawns.
Jericho catches me looking at the chess board.
“You still have that.”
“I’ve tried to take care of it over the years.”
“Still the king?” I’m sure he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Still the king.” He walks over to the board and lifts the king piece. “What about you?”
I’m not the queen. We used to have a running joke that I was. He’s looking at me like he expects me to pick up the queen piece.
I don’t. I stand where I am and shrug.
“Just a girl.” I’m sure he can hear from the dead-weighted tone in my voice that I’m a shadow of my former self. In fact, in the past, I was already a shadow but trying not to be. Life has made me so tired I can’t even try anymore. I just have the energy to live and hopefully survive the next minute, the next second, and the next year of marriage to my ex.
As strange as things go for me, this is right there with them.
Jericho steps away from the chessboard, a sign that conversation is over. It’s better this way. There’s no point walking down memory lane if there are places you don’t want to visit.
“How is Gina? Did the surgery go okay?” He studies my face and rests against the wall.
“It was a success. She’s been out of it for the last few days and will probably be like that for a while yet, but she’s extremely grateful. I am, too. Thank you again for your help.”
My skin heats with a mixture of gratitude for his effortless help and awkwardness that I needed him.
When I think back on the last few weeks—or months, if I’m being honest—I was on a one-way trip to burnout. I was never going to be able to fix everything, and yes, my pride got in the way several times, making me stubborn. It’s okay to work hard and achieve things on your own, but not when the length of time to do so ends up affecting others—the people you love. The people you’re working hard for. This thing with Gina would have been my downfall, and I would have hit a wall that I couldn’t see my way around.
“I’m glad Gina is okay. And you can stop thanking me now.” He gives me a boyish grin.
“I actually don’t think I’ll ever stop thanking you.” I clasp my hands and touch them to my heart. “Gina means the world to me.”
He nods, understanding. “I know she does, and I’m glad you don’t have to worry about her like that anymore.”
“You’ve taken a massive weight off my shoulders.”
