This girl. Maybe she was grateful that I wanted Wilbur with us, I didn’t care. Most women wanted me for my name, money, for their moment in the limelight, or another photo for their Snapchat or Instagram. But not her.
Shewas happy because I wanted her cat to stay.
But guilt knotted my gut. I had to tell her about the damn photo. Maybe later today, after we settled Wilbur at the house and visited Pops at the hospital. I hoped she wouldn’t be too worked up over it.
Because no matter what she said, it was her actions that troubled me. Ray shunned publicity. From the moment of her sister’s engagement leading to the upcoming wedding, I’d seen her step back, careful not to attract attention when the press cornered her sister. It was why I hadn’t shown her this morning’s paper with the photo of us kissing.
Those vultures would be waiting for salacious details about us. I gritted my teeth in frustration. It was my damn fault because I couldn’t resist her. But I’d make sure she didn’t suffer for it.
RAY
Noon sunlight flooded the car as Jack drove us to the hospital. Gently, I rubbed my scratched arms, fretting about leaving Wilbur at the mansion. Though Marcy had assured me that Wilbur would be no trouble, and that she liked cats, I didn’t trust him not to cause havoc. Oddly, he seemed to have settled after she gave him tuna for his welcome meal.
I still hated hospitals. As we walked into the daunting building, the acrid smells made my tummy heave, and being sealed in the elevators didn’t mask the odor of antiseptic by much. We stepped out onto the fifth floor and headed for 5B.
The bright smile on Nigel’s face as we walked into the private ward eased my worry a little.
“Pops.” Jack hugged his grandfather. “You look better.”
“I feel better. Ray—” He beamed. “I’m delighted you came.”
Jack strolled to stand near the window opposite the bed.
“I promised I would,” I said, taking the hand Nigel held out. I kissed his cool cheek. As I straightened, my healing wound pulled, and I grimaced, gingerly pressing a hand to my ribs.
Nigel frowned. “Jack, please tell me she’s not staying alone at the dorm while injured and helpless.”
I bit back a smile. Nigel was old-school and believed women should be protected. I didn’t have the heart to set him straight. Jack cut me an unreadable look, slipped his hands into his jeans’ pockets, and shook his head. “No. I took her home to Sea Cliff.”
“Good, good.” That seemed to appease Nigel.
I might as well give him the good news. “Nigel, I thought about your offer, and I’d love to be your companion.”
His smile widened, his expression softening. “It gladdens my heart to hear that. You don’t know how much. Jack, make sure she has everything she needs,” he ordered.
A twitch started in Jack’s jaw, his expression back to a stoic mask. “I will.”
Now what? I eyed Jack warily but didn’t want to ask anything in front of Nigel. I concentrated on his grandfather instead. “Do you want me to get you anything?”
“Yes, out of here.”
I laughed at his aggravated tone.
A wry smile tugged his mouth. “Once I’m discharged and home, we’ll talk about your hours. By the way, Ray, get Jack to show you the little private cove we have. You’ll love it. When the tide’s low, it makes for a great swimming place.”
My face heated, recalling last evening on the private beach. But Jack remained like a statue, no smile at all.
After we left the hospital, I faced Jack in the parking lot. “Want to tell me what that was all about? I thought you were okay with me working for your grandfather?”
“I don’t want you to work for him.”
“What?” My heart sank. “But just yesterday, you said you were okay with it.”
He brushed that aside with a shake of his head. “Ray, my grandfather likes you—”
“I like him, too.”
“No, I mean, he seriously likes you. He hasn’t shown any interest in a woman since my grandmother passed away several years ago.”
