“She and Tommy have been together a long time. Over two years. He genuinely plans to propose to her,” Jace said. “He’s even taken me to the jewelry store to show me the ring he’s saving up to buy.”
Grayson didn’t know how to reply to that. One, because he didn’t think Jace would take too kindly to him saying Hell would freeze over before he’d let Lark marry another man. And two, even more disturbingly, he couldn’t understand why his brother was defending Tommy’s right to Lark over his.
“Lark told me her reasons for breaking things off. They were good reasons, Jace,” he insisted.
“Sounds like you two had a lot of time to chat. I thought the festival was crazy busy.”
“We talked Saturday night. In the hotel room.”
Jace stared. “Hotel room…”
“The hotel we were staying in flooded. Our reservation got downgraded from two rooms to one, so we shared.”
“One room?” Jace said.
“One bed,” Grayson clarified. “I asked her about Tommy, and she said it was over. We kissed,” Grayson added, recalling the way she’d melted against him. The way she kissed him back like she couldn’t help herself.
Jace looked away from him, jaw tight.
“Jace…I thought you’d be happy for me.”
Jace’s gaze flew back to him, and finally, it felt like his brother was at the table. “I am,” he said quickly. “You just caught me by surprise. You’ve been pretty anti-Lark for a long while. Hell, you’ve been anti-dating for years. And I’m, uh, I’m worried about Tommy. Because he really is in love with her and planning a future for them.”
Wow. That was a lot of word vomit. None of which felt right. Grayson knew his brother. Jace was lying. And not well, either.
That fact bothered him almost as much as this whole “he doth protest too much” routine, because their family didn’t screw around when it came to the love-at-first-touch legend.
Jace knew that. Moreover, he’d been thrilled when Levi, Theo, and Maverick had succumbed, so why was he trying to dissuade Grayson from pursuing Lark?
Before he could press his brother for a real answer, the door he’d been surreptitiously stealing peeks at swung open.
Lark hurried inside carrying an oversized purse and coffee, her dark sunglasses still perched on her nose. She spotted him immediately and froze. Just for a second. Then she quickly pivoted and walked into the kitchen like she hadn’t seen him at all.
Grayson tried to pretend Lark was avoiding Nora, who was standing behind the merchandise counter, restocking the shelves. Because—shocker—Lark was late.
Nora must have seen Grayson looking in Lark’s direction, because she walked over to their table.
Grayson opened his mouth instantly, ready to defend Lark. She’d worked herself into exhaustion all weekend. She deserved a little grace.
“I know she’s late,” Nora said, beating him to the punch, “but she worked that damn festival with you all weekend.”
“I was about to say the same thing to you. Why did you even schedule her?” Grayson asked.
“Don’t blame me. Lark insisted. She keeps asking for more and more hours.”
“She really wants to move out of her parents’ place,” Jace added. “Tommy was complaining about how many hours she’s been working. She never has time to go out with him.”
“Never had time,” Grayson corrected. “She broke up with him. Remember?”
“Really?” Nora asked, her love of gossip kicking in. “Good for her.”
Grayson and Jace both turned to Nora, curious about her comment.
“Good for her?” Jace repeated, wanting her words explained.
“Jace, I know he’s a close friend, but Tommy is as interesting as mud. Besides, he’s come here to spend Lark’s lunch hour with her enough that I’ve heard him say some stuff I didn’t care for.”
“Like what?” Grayson asked, unable to temper the malice in his tone.
