His father looked crestfallen, but Grant didn’t care. He hurried away from his father and locked himself in a bathroom. He splashed some water on his face and forced himself to return to the party. He still didn’t feel that well, so he grabbed a drink from the waiter when he got back outside and downed it, put the empty glass on the tray, and grabbed another one.
The anger and helplessness he always felt around his adoptive parents burned in his gut. He saw Kate floating effortlessly through the guests. Being near her was the only thing that grounded him. He wanted to wrap himself around her and forget all his problems. He squared his shoulders. He had a job, he was out of the military, and he had just banished his adoptive parents for good. All he needed was Kate.
While he waited for the party to end so he could finish his mission with Kate, Grant schmoozed with guests and had his picture taken. He also drank to try to numb his pain and anger. The night became a blur, and the only thought he could hold onto was Kate. He had to win Kate.
When the garden party finally came to a close, Kate came over to him with some snacks. Grant set the plate down and drew her to a small green alcove by a fountain with a bench that was the perfect size for two.
“That went well,” he said, trying not to sound drunk.
“Yes, it did,” Kate replied.
“I need to ask you something,” he slurred, looking deep in her eyes and taking her hands. “Kate, I want you to be my girlfriend. I love you. I think we belong together.”
She started crying.
“I can’t, Grant. You don’t understand. I can’t be with you.”
“Why?” He tried to focus on her face.
“I did something terrible.” She sniffed.
“It can’t be that bad,” he said, reaching for her.
“I can’t.”
He had grabbed her too hard, he realized vaguely as she let out a loud yelp.
Grant shook her roughly and said, “I love you.”
He crushed her to his chest, and he felt her struggling. He vaguely remembered being that close to another person before, but that was Brendan, and he had died. Grant pushed Kate up against the wall, saying, “Kate, I need you.” He started pawing at her clothes. “You have to be my girlfriend.”
“No, I don’t,” she said and slapped him.
He slumped over on the bench. He had drunk way too much. He watched, his vision spinning, as she straightened her clothes and put her shoes back on.
“You are disgusting, Grant Holbrook,” she said.
Grant watched in horror as she ran off, taking all of his hopes and dreams for their future with her.
Chapter 45
Kate
Kate tried to avoid Grant the weekend after the garden party. She didn’t know what had gotten into him, and she didn’t particularly care. Stefan had told her tactfully about Grant’s adoptive parents’ surprise visit. She felt more understanding, but that still did not excuse Grant’s behavior. He had been sodrunk. His behavior was too similar to what Alan had tried to do to her. She couldn’t handle it, so her next best option was to run from it.
“I think Grant is ready to fly on his own,” she told Walter as they sat in his study.
“Do you really think so?” he asked thoughtfully.
“Yes. You need an assistant who is focused. Maybe we can find a new one for Grant.”
“Now that you mention it, I was talking to Brandy and her father at the garden party. She is turning over her dog business full-time to her sister. I got the impression that her father didn’t give her much choice in the matter. So he was wondering if Grant needed an assistant. I was going to have you two be co- assistants, but now Brandy can be Grant’s personal assistant, and you can come back to me full-time. I have a grueling schedule ahead, and I must admit I would feel better about it if you were one hundred percent focused.”
As soon as he said Brandy’s name, Kate felt her eye twitch. She tried to keep her expression neutral and professional. “Well,” she said through gritted teeth, “I suppose these things do all work out, don’t they.”
Walter smiled blandly at her.
The next morning, Brandy showed up for her first day on the job.
