The screen lit up and several windows flashed open for a moment before he quickly closed them.
“Gray!” I gasped and then growled, turning and hitting his arm.
He chuckled and pulled away.“I was hoping you wouldn’t see that. I forgot it was still open.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded.“Those were cameras, weren’t they?!”
He gave me a sheepish look and winced.“Yes?” he replied.
“In my house?! Are those live?”
He nodded ruefully.
“You told me you didn’t add cameras! Youlied.”
He tilted his head, finger in the air to make a point I knew I’d despise.“Technically, you asked if there were anynewcameras. They weren’t new. I didn’t lie.”
“Oh my God, Gray. What the fuck.”
He shrugged, looking only mildly ashamed.“I put them in after you ripped down the other ones last fall.”
I shook my head.“You are such a twat-waffle. Seriously. I should disown you for this.”
“But…?” he dragged out, eyes hopeful.
“There wasn’t a‘but’, Gray.” I frowned.
He glowered.“Okay, how about,‘But… you saved my life and I’m forever grateful. You’re the best, Gray’.” He said it in a mock female voice that in no way sounded like me.
“No!” I snapped.“Over my dead body!”
He shrugged.“Well, I don’t regret doing any of it. You were in trouble, and you should know I’d come for you. We had that moment in the warehouse in the fall, that stare-down. I was certain you understood the rules of engagement here.”
I pressed my fingers to my forehead.“Gray, I don’t even have enough swear words to express how I feel right now.”
He chuckled darkly.“I could never let anything happen to you. Not on my watch, and not from my family.”
I blinked. Dead to rights, I was at a loss. Was this Stockholm Syndrome? Could I just let the stalking behavior slide on the technicality that he’d saved my life by watching me like a creep?
Was I being gas-lighted, gas-litten?Whatever.
Gray hit play onA River Runs Through It, and blessedly, my mind went blank the instant young Brad Pitt appeared on screen. This is exactly what I needed right now: some young Brad, some carbs, and a gallon of wine.The trifecta could cure all ailments, including those of the mental variety.
After finishing his pasta, Gray set the plate down and draped an arm over my shoulder. I grumbled but gave in, leaning against his chest. I dreamily took in the Montana skyline on screen, and realized, I’m not sure I even care about the‘why’of it any longer.
The present was too perfect to let the past spoil my future any longer.
Chapter 26
Betty
We were officially at a stalemate.
Neither of us seemed to know how or when to make the next move. The attraction felt strange and obvious, but we skirted the fact like the plague. I could tell he saw it, too. We had this way of communicating that didn’t require words, but we just couldn’t seem toact. Normally, I’m decisive, often moving on impulse. But now, I was overthinking everything, wanting this to be the one time I actedaccordingly.
I quit ruminating and focused on the task at hand, looking down the barrel of Gray’s rifle.
“Good,” he said, kicking my ankle and widening my stance.“The gun kicks back a decent amount, so you’ll need a wider footing.”
