I hadn’t seen Ashford in a few weeks, aside from the occasional interaction in passing, like when I picked up Ollie from the kids’ martial arts class Ashford taught.
He and I had been close for years, but lately, there was an unspoken hesitation between us. And we both knew the exact reason.
I was sure he knew I was renting a house to Grayden. Probably that Grayden and I were friendly too.
But Ashford was not the type to talk openly about things. This time, I wasn’t going to push. Not when I had so many complicated feelings of my own where Grayden was concerned.
Grace charged into the entryway next, drying her hands on a dishtowel. “Piper!”
I hugged her. “Hey, didn’t know you’d be here this morning. It’s a full house.”
“O’Neal family breakfast,” Ashford said.
At his words, Grace’s pretty smile morphed into a tense straight line. “Not the entire O’Neal family,” she muttered without even glancing at him.
Oof. If Ashford and I were awkward, Grace’s attitude toward him was downright hostile.
Grace draped the towel over her shoulder. “Sorry, would’veinvited you for pancakes too, Piper, but it came together at the last second. Mostly I showed up because I haven’t seen you in weeks, and I knew you’d be bringing Ollie. Dane and I just flew in last night from New York.”
“Yes, the life of the wealthy and glamorous.”
Grace gave me a wry look through her pink-framed glasses. “More like workaholics. Dane and I have both been so busy. I’ve been neglecting you and Ollie, and I’m sorry about that.”
“Nah, we’ve been fine. We wouldn’t have made it for pancakes, anyway. Ollie got started on packing last night, but of course forgot almost anything practical. I had to grab the rest this morning. He’d packed his clip-on tie, for lord knows what reason, but forgot underwear.”
With a laugh, Grace took my wrist and led me into Callum and Zandra’s cute living room. Gnome figurines decorated the mantle over the fire, and Chloe lounged on the windowsill, orange tail flicking as we took a seat on the couch.
“So,” Grace said, folding her legs under her. “Tell me everything. What’s new with you?”
Aside from getting frisky with your oldest brother last night?
I half coughed, half laughed. Totally subtle. “Not that much.”
I’d texted Grace about renting my house to Grayden, so that much wasn’t news to her. But there was so much else she didn’t know. Not least, the police incident yesterday.
“Danny’s back in town,” I added.
A concerned look crossed her features. “Is that a good thing?”
I opened my mouth, considering what to say. Because part of mereallywanted to tell my best friend everything. Grace had been there for me over and over again in the past. I’d really been missing her lately.
But something held me back.
“He took Ollie to get dinner last night,” I said. “Ollie had a nice time, but aside from that, I don’t know how it’ll go. If Danny’s going to step up, or if he’ll disappear again.”
“Same old Danny, then. But at least he’s trying, even a little.”
“Maybe,” I hedged. “We’ll figure it out. Tell me about New York.”
She chattered happily about Dane’s mom and dad, who they’d been spending more time with. And the friends she’d made and the hidden gems she’d discovered.
After a few minutes, everyone started migrating toward the door. Mainly pushed along by Zandra, who was doing her best to keep Callum on schedule. He was usually pretty responsible. But with so many people here, he was in his element, making sure everyone was having fun instead of being a slave to the clock.
Then it was time for hugs goodbye, a few more kitten snuggles with Daisy, and Callum and Ollie got on the road.
Ashford and Maisie followed, heading out to meet Emma at her conference in the next county over.
When those exits were finished, Zandra collapsed on an armchair in the living room with a groan. “You both know I love Callum more than anything in the world, but I won’t say no to a weekend of quiet.”
