His words stung, and she steeled herself against them. “I’m sorry, Kyle,” she said, clenching her fists to keep her determination from wavering. “But you’re wrong. It’s not the job for me. Not at all.” She took a breath, then met his eyes. “I do love you. But that really isn’t enough.”
* * *
KYLE HAD CALLEDevery few hours for the next two days, but Mel didn’t take his calls. So far he hadn’t come by her house, and she really hoped he wouldn’t. She could steel herself against a phone call, but seeing him up close and personal would just hurt too damn much.
She knew she’d made the right decision, even so, she couldn’t stop crying. God, she was such a mess.
With the back of her hand, she wiped her tears away, then returned to the laptop computer. She’d pulled up the Web sites of various placement agencies and now she scrolled through, trying to find a job—any job.
Her hand stilled over the mouse, and she closed her eyes. The truth was she’d had a great job. Kyle was right, the security consultant gig really was perfect for her. It challenged her and thrilled her. Besides, she was good at it.
No other job even came close in appeal, and yet she’d walked away, unable to face that her secret was out. That he’d shared her background with Brent. And worst of all, the reason he’d been able to spill the information was that he knew the truth about her.
She swallowed. He did know. And he still wanted her. Both in his life and in the job. Hell, he wanted her to be his security consultantbecausehe knew she was good at it. And he knew she was good because he knew about her past.
Was that really so terrible?
She set her laptop aside, then pulled her spare pillow over and hugged it close. Her whole life she’d fantasized about finding a man who didn’t know about her secret. Who thought she was perfect and loved her completely. She’d be a perfect princess; he’d be her Prince Charming.
But he would never really know her.
Kyle knew all her flaws and loved her anyway.
A tear fell, plopping onto the pillow, as if accentuatingthe truth. She’d made a huge mistake walking away.
A knock sounded at her door. “Come in,” she called, her heart fluttering with the hope that maybe Kyle had come over, begging her to change her mind.
But when the bedroom door opened, it wasn’t Kyle standing there, but Emily and Gramps. She couldn’t help her smile. “Ganging up on me?”
“If it’s necessary,” Gramps said.
“Gramps, I—”
He held up a hand. “No. I want to say my piece, and then you can talk. Agreed?”
She nodded, fighting a smile. She glanced at Miss Emily, wondering if the elderly woman shared her amusement, but Emily was staring at Gramps with pure adoration.
“I’m in love with Emily,” he said.
Beside him, Emily beamed, her hand clasped on Gramps’s wrist.
“Oh, Gramps, that’s wonderful.” Mel scooted off the bed and kissed them each on the cheek, sure that she was beaming just as widely. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“AndI’mhappy,” Gramps said. He took her hand and squeezed. “I want you to be just as happy.”
“I know. I really do.”
“Don’t misunderstand me,” he went on. “I don’t regret marrying your grandmother. But I never felt as alive with her as I do with Emily.”
He gave Emily a kiss. “I missed out on years by not fighting for Emily. I don’t want you to miss out, too.”
She couldn’t fight the bubble of laughter. “I won’t, Gramps. I’d already made up my mind before you got here.”
His face puckered in confusion, and then comprehension struck and the confusion faded, replaced by a broad smile.
“What are you going to do?” Gramps said.
She hugged him, then stood back, taking both their hands. “The only thing I can do. I’m going to tell him I was wrong. And I’m going to get him back.”
