“Circle back? You tell me you’re in love with me and then that we can circle back to that in a few years? This isn’t a business merger we’re discussing.”
He winces and then tries to cover it up.
That was a poor choice of wording.
“Of course not. I just meant…if you…if there’s a time…” But then he just stops speaking.
Caroline shakes her head, looking bewildered as she runs a finger down the soft skin of Evelyn’s arm. “Bye, baby girl.” Then she lifts her gaze to Grayson. “Bye, Grayson. Take care of yourself.”
It doesn’t escape my attention that she doesn’t say that she loves him.
He pauses, like he’s realized that very thing and is waiting for her to declare her love and jump into his arms, but she doesn’t do anything.
I feel terrible for him. I also feel like his face right now is exactly what mine is going to look like in two weeks when Caro leaves—heartbroken but resigned.
When the door closes behind him, tears fill Caroline’s eyes. She puts her hand on her throat. “I honestly didn’t see that coming.”
“Come here.” Cas opens his arms, and she goes right into them.
Well, fuck me.
I didn’t see that coming either.
CHAPTER30
Caroline
Grayson Ross isin love with me.
That is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard.
The broody, grumpy billionaire turned sudden single dad has fallen in love with me.
No way.
Except Grayson doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean.
He is intense and blunt and sincere.
Holy shit. I step out of Cas’s arms and blink the tears out of my eyes. Then I look at James and Cas.
Cas is wearing a strange expression. He doesn’t look nearly as surprised as I think he should. This is a stunning revelation, isn’t it? Then I look at James. He looks a little pained.
“So, that was weird,” I say.
Cas shakes his head with a rueful smile. “Weird? Not the word I would use."
“Why don’t you seem shocked? Did he tell you about this or something?"
“No. He waited until you got here,” Cas says. “But I’m not shocked because it’s not shocking."
“Grayson thinks he’s in love with me,” I say. “That doesn’t surprise you?"
Cas looks over at James. “No, that’s not shocking.”
I frown, looking from one of them to the other. “Yes it is,” I insist. “It’s ridiculous. We are just messing around. This is just sex.”
But my mind almost immediately rejects that. I know it’s not just sex. I already had thoughts like that in New York. I know that we all have more affectionate feelings for each other than just lust or chemistry. But it’s because we’re all nice people. We enjoy one another. I’ve seen them as dads. We have Honeysuckle Harbor in common. I’ve seen the three of them establish a friendship. I’ve seen Grayson and James with their families and with all three of them with other people in town. They are great guys. Of course, I feel more for them than just wanting to fuck their brains out. And they’ve been extremely good to me. They treat me so well. They seem to truly care about me and have been not only giving in the bedroom, but supportive and caring about learning about my career and passions and understanding my love of travel and my desire to go to my next assignment.
