A pang of envy tore through Eliza’s heart as she watched them tease each other. She’d been so close to having that with Grant. Then her lie had ripped it away. And deservedly so. It was foolish to think he’d ever forgive her.
As if sensing her train of thought, Cassie’s features softened, and she leaned against Luke, seeking comfort. “Liza, have you explained to Grant why you didn’t tell him about Ben?”
“No.” Her gaze flickered to Luke’s face, noticing the way his hazel eyes clouded with compassion. “Did Cassie tell you?”
He briefly glanced at his soon-to-be bride, then nodded slowly.
“I’m so sorry.” A blush swept across Cassie’s cheeks. “It sort of… slipped out. But he’s the only one I told. Cross my heart.”
Eliza smiled as Cassie drew a giant X in the air. “It’s fine. Really. You two are almost newlyweds. I don’t expect you to keep secrets from each other.”
Luke’s warm expression conveyed his gratitude as he slid his arm around Cassie’s waist, drawing her closer. “Can I ask why you haven’t told him?”
Eliza dropped her gaze to the ground, studying the contrast of her pink nail polish against her teal wedge sandals. The truth was, she’d thought about telling Grant countless times. For her sake, shewantedto tell him. But whenever she’d come close, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud, knowing they would only cause him more pain. “Grant’s always had a difficult relationship with his dad. How would he feel if he knew his mom had blackmailed me into keeping silent about his son?” Eliza shook her head. “No, I couldn’t tell him. I don’t want to come between the one parent he feels remotely close to. I’ve hurt him enough.”
A loud crash drew their attention to Colt dancing around a tipped bucket, small, yellow balls spilling around his feet.
His head down, Colt scrambled to scoop them back inside.
Eliza’s breath hitched.
How much had he overheard?
* * *
Grant shifted the oversize stuffed dragon Ben won knocking over bowling pins with a watermelon to his other arm, grateful it wasn’t a goldfish. The cartoonish eyes seemed to mock him, as though the dragon knew Grant’s palms weren’t sweaty due to the warm rays of sunlight filtering through the wispy clouds. But rather, because he and Eliza were walking across the town square on their way to spill the big news to Ben. “What are you going to call him?”
“Claude.” Ben didn’t even pause to think. Or tear his attention from his giant cone of cotton candy.
“Claude the Dragon, huh?” Grant cocked his head, studying the goofy expression of the floppy-eared creature. “I guess that works. But why Claude?”
“Because I like his paintings best,” Ben said simply.
Grant scrunched his features in thought before his eyes widened. “Claude Monet?” His gaze flitted to Eliza, who stared straight ahead as they wove through the crowd, her cheeks tinged pink.
Ben nodded. “Mom’s been teaching me about famous people who like to paint, just like me. Do you know Claude? His paintings are really pretty.”
“I’ve heard of him.” Grant hid a smile, stealing another glance at Eliza. His heartbeat sputtered strangely at the thought of Eliza sitting down with Ben, pointing out paintings by one of his favorite artists.
It wasn’t fair that every time he decided it would never work between them, she did something to weaken his resolve.
When they reached the courthouse, they climbed to the top step and sat down with Ben in the middle. Nervous tension sizzled between Grant and Eliza, but Ben seemed oblivious to everything except his sugary treat.
“Ben…” Eliza began softly. “Grant and I have something important to tell you.”
Grant considered placing the plush toy on the step below, but couldn’t bring himself to set it down, grateful for something to occupy his fidgety hands. He also couldn’t stop swallowing profusely. Why was his mouth so dry?
Ben gazed up at his mother, a sticky ring of pink sugar around his mouth.
“You like Grant a lot, don’t you?” Eliza asked without looking in Grant’s direction.
“Yeah.” Ben plucked another clump of cotton candy, stuffing it in his mouth.
“I’m glad because…” Eliza hesitated, and Grant noticed a slight twitch in her jaw. For a moment, compassion washed over him. While his own heart felt permanently lodged in his throat, he could only imagine how difficult this was for her.
“Because… Grant is your dad.”
They both drew in a collective breath, waiting for Ben’s reaction.
