Grace (The ‘Hello’ series)

30. Chapter 30

thirty

Daniel

I head right upstairs, pack a bag of everything I could need, and sprint back down, trying to make sure that I don’t run into Bash. It’ll be a setup for a fight, because I know it’s only a matter of time before he figures it out.

But I don’t expect to see Sebastian and my ex-wife standing in the living room as I start to leave.

Bash narrows his eyes at me. “Grace?”

My face falls slightly. Goosebumps rise on my skin, and I grit my teeth. I don’t want to admit to it, but I’m not going to lie about the woman I’m crazy about.

“You’re fucking his ex-girlfriend?” Victoria snarls. “You act so fucking righteous, but you’re screwing someone our son’s age! Do you realize how sick that is? You know who she used to date and how terrible she was to Bash and—”

“Keep your nose out of my relationship,” I hiss at her. “You have no right to be in my home. Who I date is not your business. If our son needs you to fight his battles for him, then there are much bigger issues at play.”

Victoria gapes at me as Sebastian clutches his fists at his sides. “You’re fucking Grace! I knew it! She’s the new office whore. And what a surprise considering she doesn’t put out. Are you that determined to punish me? To undermine me?”

“This isn’t about you,” I say evenly as my hands itch with the need to slam my fist against his jaw for speaking about Grace in that manner.

“Of course it is! You’re doing this to punish me!’

“Not everything is about you!” I snap.

Sebastian and Victoria both stare at me. I pinch the bridge of my nose. “This has nothing to do with you,” I say calmly. “I’m sorry if this upsets you. I never planned for it to be like this. But I can’t deny what I feel for her. I won’t.”

“I’m your—”

“Your being my son doesn’t change it. You cheated on her, belittled her, tried to force her into being a maid, chef, and caretaker that you could fuck,” I snarl, losing my temper.

His mouth opens and closes, and he stares at Victoria as she takes a step back and asks, “You cheated on her?”

A wound, a sore spot I created. One that I can never fix. We might not have been the best match, but she never deserved what I put her through.

“Because we were basically just roommates!”

Victoria shakes her head and throws her hands up. “That doesn’t make it okay. And then you lied to me!” She shakes her head again, hurt showing in her pale eyes. “I’m done with this. Daniel, you’re right. This isn’t my business. She’s half your age, so have fun with the comments you’re going to get, but I’m done with all of this.”

“Mom!” Bash begs, but she won’t listen as she slams the front door closed behind her.

Bash glares at me. “You’re ruining everything.”

I huff. “I’m pointing out what’s true. If you don’t like it, fix it. We all have a chance to do that. Get a job, move out so you can ignore who I’m dating, but don’t you dare try to make me change my life to make you comfortable,” I snarl. “I’ve tried again and again to give you a foundation to launch you into success, and you ignore it. You’ve spat on every opportunity I’ve created.”

He shakes his head. “But you’re dating my ex! I fucked her! I lived with her! I know her better than you possibly can! She’s my age and—”

I sigh. “And I don’t give a shit. I love her, and as long as she’ll have me, I’m staying,” I say.

It’s too fast. I’m sure of that. But I know the difference between a crush and love. I know the difference between lust and love. Just like I know that I spent more than a decade and a half with my ex trying to love her and never felt half of what I do for Grace. She’s the kind of chance a man only gets once in his life, and I’m not going to waste it.

“Dad!”

“Get a fucking job and an apartment. Find one, and I’ll still pay half, but you’re not welcome in my house anymore,” I say before walking out and slamming the door behind me.

I don’t enjoy being so harsh to my son, but still, a huge weight rolls off my shoulders as I drive to Grace’s. I know Victoria has some truth in her words, but I don’t care what everyone thinks. I’m choosing my own happiness, choosing to have a life instead of focusing it all on my business. I did that for long enough. I’ve built what I wanted, and now I’m choosing me.

I knock twice on Grace’s apartment door, and she opens quickly.

“Bash and my ex-wife know about us. I kicked Bash out and claimed you as my woman,” I say in a rush, not wanting to keep anything from her.

Her mouth opens and closes, then she swallows. “Really?”

“I will choose you, Grace. I will always choose you. So next weekend, we’re going to be in my house, then yours, over and over until I finally cave and ask you to move in with me when it won’t terrify you,” I say and watch as her eyes widen.

She swallows, then eases around me to shut the door. “No, we can’t… it’s way to soon. No… no…”

I smile. “I know, darling,” I say and wrap my arms around her. “But I won’t leave your side until you tell me to.”

She wrings her hands together as she leads the way to her living room. “You can’t ask me, Daniel.”

“I’m not asking,” I say and add after a beat, “yet.”

Red dots paint her skin, her cheeks burning. “No, don’t do that,” she says, but I see that twinkle of hope in her eyes. Her heart wants to say yes, to give in to what we have, but her mind is keeping her back. Protecting her.

“Darling, I’m not asking,” I say softly.

“Promise,” she says, her eyes narrowing just a bit.

I edge closer. “Promise,” I say and brush my fingers over her heated cheek.

“I wouldn’t mind you two getting your own place,” Ashley cuts in, and I step back. “Oh, please, I hear what you two do at night. I don’t mind some smooching.”

“Ashley,” Grace warns and shakes her head.

“We won’t have this if we live together,” I whisper as I stare at Ashley, who watches me with a smug smile on her face. I’m grateful Grace has her as a roommate, helping her feel more confident, tugging her out of her shell. Perhaps if it weren’t for her encouragement, as Grace has put it, we might not have been where we are today.

“Daniel!” Grace slaps my hand away, but the smile on her lips won’t fade, and neither will mine.

She belongs with me, but I belong by her side even more.