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18
Ari
The scent of food assaults my nose as soon as I step into the house. My stomach heaves. That’s what I get for rehashing every look and word Clayton said to me on the drive back home. Seb takes my jacket from me. His gaze searches mine, as if he’s looking for answers.
“Kieran is waiting in the dining room.”
“Thanks.”
I make my way to the dining room. Kieran is at his spot, halfway finished with his meal. I’m kind of hurt that he didn’t wait for me. For the last five months, we’ve had dinner together.
He lifts his tumbler, taking a sip. “Well?”
Clayton’s words dance through my mind.
“How well do you know the Greystoke family?”
“Well enough. Why?”
“John seems very nice.”
He hums. “John, huh?”
“He asked me if I wanted to marry him. I said yes.” I inhale. “But I won’t if you tell me there’s another option.”
“There are no other options. Greystoke is close to death, which means he’s the best choice for you.”
His tone is so nonchalant, like he couldn’t care less about who I marry.
I clear my throat. “His son said he wants to marry me after his father dies.”
This gets his attention, but only for a moment. He suddenly becomes focused on his steak, cutting into it.
“Clayton is a successful man. You could do a lot worse.”
“I could do a lot worse?” I snort. “Yes, I suppose I could.”
“If that’s all, I have work that needs to be attended to after I eat.”
My eyes water. “Kieran, please—”
“Greystoke will want to move fast. You’ll likely be spending a lot of time with him until the wedding occurs. I suggest you go to bed and rest up. I’ll have a meal sent up for you.”
His dismissal hurts, but what did I expect? I leave without saying a word, though my stomach churns. Just because I marry John doesn’t mean I have to marry Clayton when he’s gone, right? I guess that’s a conversation I’ll have to have with John.
All night I toss and turn. Am I reading too much into this whole thing with Clayton? He creeps me out—that much is true—but what if I’m making this into something it’s not? He loves his father, and maybe he didn’t mean to come on so strong. But then I think about what he said about liking the chase. There’s no mistaking what he meant by that.
By dawn, I still don’t know what to do.
When Seb knocks on my door, I know that Kieran has already left for the day.
“Mr. Greystoke would like to take you out for lunch. He’d also like to take you ring shopping.”
“So it’s a done deal, then?”
“I believe the contract will be signed on Monday.”
“What do you know of the Greystoke family?”
