Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
“Indeed,” Reid agrees. “We do, and a few others we might not brag about quite as readily.”
“Are you an asshole too?” I ask Grayson.
Grayson laughs. “I can be, but I’m more selective about when and where than Reid.”
“Would you like a glass of pinot as well, Reid?” Leslie asks, still hovering to await his choice.
“Scotch on the rocks for me,” Reid replies. “The most expensive option you have. He owes me ten grand.”
Grayson eyes Leslie. “Bring him the bottle and we’ll call it even.”
I want to ask about the debt between them, but Leslie disappears inside, while Grayson refocuses on us, already leading us elsewhere, on Reid specifically. “I see she’s not afraid to call you on your shit, Reid.”
“She most certainly is not,” Reid replies, “but she made that statement loud and clear from the moment I met her.”
“How did that go?” Grayson asks, looking at me. “He fired your father. That was brutal. You must have hated him.”
“I was angry,” I agree, feeling honesty to be my best path with Grayson. “I actually hated Reid quite a lot.”
“And yet, here you are by his side,” he comments, watching me closely.
“She worked her anger out of her system,” Reid replies for me.
“And without regret,” I say, glancing in his direction. “You deserved what you got.”
“Is that right?” Reid challenges, his lips quirking, and that spark between us flares, impossible to hide, impossible to deny, and I’m certain Grayson will notice. Thankfully, Leslie reappears, and I hope breaks up the connection enough to downplay it to Grayson though I know Reid says it doesn’t matter. My gut says it might.
She sets a bottle of whiskey on the table as well as a glass of ice. Reid glances at the bottle. “That’s five thousand. You still owe me another five.”
I see another opening to ask about their debt, and when Leslie walks away, I intend to take it, but once again Grayson steals my thunder, and this time in a big way. He leans forward and speaks to Reid. “You’re fucking her. Is that why I’m supposed to believe in her?”
Chapter thirty-eight
Carrie
“Apparently you are a bigger asshole than Reid,” I say, reacting to Grayson’s crude question, which he hasn’t even bothered to direct at me, considering it’s about me. “He believes in me because—”
“She bested me right out of the gate,” Reid finishes for me. “She beat me when no one beats me.”
Grayson sits back and looks at me. “Now I’m intrigued. How did you best him?”
“Without blinking,” I say, not about to tell the story. “I beat him and walked away without blinking. He came to me afterward and you’re still an asshole.”
“How did you best him?” he presses.
Reid answers. “She bought me at a charity bachelor auction and then cuffed me to a couch in the hotel room and left me there. And, for the record, wholly unsatisfied.”
I’m stunned that Reid has told this story that most would feel make him look bad. Grayson narrows his eyes at me and I pick up my wine, taking a long swallow before saying, “It’s good. Really good. Dry and woodsy.”
“You did that?” he asks, ignoring my wine commentary.
“Yes. I did do that.”
“What did you think you would gain?” he asks.
“I wanted to remind an asshole that he was human.”
He laughs. “Priceless.”
“Exactly,” Reid says, his gaze catching mine. “She is. She’s fearless, but smart.” He looks at Grayson. “And those two traits are hard to find.”
“As is the ability to put aside ego and get over the cuffs,” I say of Reid, but my focus is on Grayson. “I can’t believe he just told you that story.”
“The food is here!” Leslie announces, her timing less than perfect, but she’s unstoppable, as is the interruption. Soon we all have plates in front of us, and I cave to the moment, inhaling the spicy scent of the wonderful food. We all take a bite and various satisfied sounds lift around the table. “How spoiled is Grayson to have you here to cook,” I say, dabbing my mouth with a napkin. “This is the kind of special meal that money can’t buy. It’s love. Family. Home.”
“It is,” Leslie says, glowing with the compliment. “I keep hoping Grayson will marry and build those things for himself, but he’s all business.”
“I wish the same for you, Leslie,” Grayson says, “and perhaps if you’d stop worrying about me, you’d find them.”
She purses her lips. “Another argument for another day.” She waves her hands at us. “Enjoy,” she says, and then walks away.
I lift my fork again and I find Grayson’s attention on me. “What do you know of family and love?” he asks.
“My father and I have our version,” I say easily. “His place is home to me.”
“And yet you’re dating Reid, the man who took his company.”
“He made bad decisions, Grayson. I knew he was making them. I couldn’t stop it from happening.”