The house is quiet except for the sound of Colin vacuuming upstairs.
I’m standing in the kitchen, staring at the new security panel on the wall and trying to remember the code Grant showed me last night. It was either April’s birthday or mine. Or it could’ve been some combination of both, now that I’m thinking about it.
Before I can try either option, Colin appears in the doorway with his cleaning supplies.
“Everything good down here?” he asks, setting down his caddy.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just trying to figure out this system.” I gesture at the panel. “Grant installed all of this a few days ago, and I still can’t remember half of what he showed me.”
Colin walks over and glances at the panel, then at the camera mounted in the corner of the kitchen. “The whole place is locked down like Fort Knox now. I’ll admit, it took me three tries this morning to remember the new entry code.”
I let out a small laugh. “At least I’m not the only one.”
“Not at all.” He leans against the counter. “But I like to see Grant taking such good care of you and April. This is exactly what he should be doing.”
Colin has always been kind to me, but there’s something almost paternal in his tone now.
“He’s been incredible,” I say carefully. “Almost too incredible. I keep waiting for it to feel like too much, but it doesn’t.”
“That’s because it’s not too much. Not for him.” Colin crosses his arms, studying me with the same gentle expression he always has. “I’ve known Grant for a while now, and I’ve never seen him care about anyone the way he cares about you.”
My chest tightens at his words.
“I don’t know if he’s told you much about what his life was like before,” Colin continues. “But that boy was alone for a very long time. He kept everyone at arm’s length and lived in this big house by himself with nothing but hockey to keep him company.”
I nod. “He’s mentioned some of it.”
“Then you know he’s not the type to let people in easily. Which is why what’s happening here is such a big deal.” He gestures around the kitchen, at the security panel, at the house that’s slowly starting to feel like home. “Grant doesn’t do anything halfway. When he commits to something, he’s all in.”
All I can do is nod again, because I know Colin is telling the truth. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. When Grant Parker turns his attention to something, he’s laser-focused until he gets the results he wants. Whether it’s his training, his diet, his save percentage, or these security cameras, he doesn’t half-ass anything in his life.
“And you, Heather? You and that sweet girl upstairs? You’re it for him.” Colin’s tone is serious, but still wrapped in warmth and kindness. “I’ve been watching him fall in love with you both, and I have to tell you, it’s been one of the great joys of my life.”
My heart stutters in my chest. Love.
Colin just said love.
“I don’t—” I start, then stop because I’m not sure what to say. Colin is speaking from his own perspective, but that doesn’t mean he’s speaking for Grant. We haven’t said those words to each other, and I can’t predict what will happen when—or if—we do.
“Sorry,” he says quickly, obviously reading my expression. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just thought you should know how much he cares about you and how serious he is about this.”
“No, I know. I do know.” This is safer ground, because Grant clearly cares for me and April, just like we care for him. None of this madness would make sense, otherwise. “He’s made that clear. The security, the way he’s been with April, everything he’s done to help us—I know this is real for him.”
“But?” Colin prompts gently.
“But love is…” I trail off, searching for the right words. “That’s a big word. A serious word. And we haven’t been together very long.”
“Sometimes it doesn’t take long to know.” Colin shrugs as he picks up his cleaning caddy. “But that’s between you and Grant. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“I’m glad you did,” I tell him honestly. “Really. It’s just a lot to process.”
He nods and heads toward the stairs, then pauses. “For what it’s worth? Grant is like a son to me. In all the time I’ve been taking care of him and this house, I’ve never seen him as happy as he’s been these past months. That’s all because of you.”
After he disappears upstairs, I stand in the kitchen with his words echoing in my head.
This thing between us is real. It’s not just sex or convenience or some temporary arrangement while we figure out our housing situation. It’s deeper than that. More important than that.
But does he love me?
