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CHAPTER19
Gracie
The last thingGracie wanted to do was celebrate New Year’s Eve, but since the party was in her house, there wasn’t much she could do about it. A freshly-curled strand of hair warmed her cheek as she wound a new lock around the curling iron. Her mother had been trying to convince her to move back home, but Gracie knew that would be a huge step backward. Living with Margo again would make her as bitter as her mother was.
Lipstick slid across her lips as she applied it, and she recalled the details about werebear life that her mother told her. Details Leo hadn’t shared. Apparently their justice system was archaic. Death was an acceptable form of punishment that happened quickly. Clans fought, and as a werebear, her safety would always be an issue. Her own father couldn’t stay with her mother for fear that they’d both be killed. The man left her pregnant mother to protect himself without ever checking to make sure Margo was okay, even after Gracie had been born. Margo said it was the clan way, and that while Leo seemed like a dream come true, the same way her father had seemed to her mother, the reality was that it wouldn’t last. One day Gracie would realize she’d made a mistake she could never correct.
As it was, Gracie was in danger now too for being involved with Leo and knowing what he was. So was Leo, and her mother for not keeping them apart. The only way to remedy the situation was to walk away and never have contact with Leo again. No matter how much her heart was breaking, Gracie knew letting Leo go was what she had to do.
Her boots thudded on the ladder as Gracie made her way downstairs to help Kate. Guests had begun to arrive with their potluck dinner contributions, which Gracie offered to arrange on the table in a cohesive manner.
Kate greeted her with a glass of punch. “I’m not sure if this is going to help you feel less pain or make it harder to keep from crying.”
Gracie offered her friend a smile and took the drink. “How about I numb the pain before I cry.”
Kate hugged her. “I’m so sorry, hon.”
The warmth of the woman’s arms was soothing and Gracie squeezed back.
“This is all going to sort itself out,” Kate said. “You and Leo are too great together for it not to.”
“If only it were that simple.” Gracie knew Kate and Henry were dying to understand what happened to her relationship, but the existence of werebear was a secret she would keep forever. “What needs to be done in the kitchen?”
She and Kate got all the food out and ready for people to serve themselves. As Gracie was fixing a plate for herself, Todd, a kid’s instructor came over to do the same. “Hey,” he said. “Gracie, right?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m Todd. I work in the children’s center.”
“I know.” Gracie chuckled. “I heard about your bathroom mishap. You’re a brave man.” A small boy had an accident and had made such a mess that Todd couldn’t get him cleaned up without getting covered in feces himself.
He cringed. “Jeez. I’m forever going to be known as the poop guy.”
“Or a nice guy who helps children at his own expense.”
“Thanks for putting it that way.” He pointed to a dish. “Do you know if this mac and cheese is any good?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’ll test it for us.” He spooned out a mouthful. “You know, to make sure it’s not poisoned.” Todd scrunched up his face and contorted it dramatically as he chewed.
Gracie laughed when he gulped and then pretended to be choking.
He laughed too. “I think it’s okay.”
“Whew,” she said as she served herself some pasta.
“So,” Todd said as they made their way down the table, “do you have someone to kiss at midnight?”
Sadness filled Gracie as she remembered kissing Leo. “No. I don’t.”
“Neither do I,” Todd said. “Maybe we could help each other out.”
Gracie smiled. Todd was a nice guy she’d have been thrilled to kiss before she met Leo. “It’s too soon for me,” she said, even though she had no intention of lasting until midnight.
“Broken heart?”
She nodded.
