The Borrowed Boyfriend (22 page)

Grady shut his eyes and tried to sleep, realizing he couldn’t solve any of these problems tonight. Tomorrow, he and Allison would return to their role as the happy couple before her friends, and would have to prepare lunch and dinner. They hadn’t even decided what the meals would be yet. During her hasty preparations for bed, Allison had said they could discuss it in the morning. She’d seemed mad at him, and Kate was clearly ticked. He’d glanced at her slew of text messages earlier and she’d written,
What’s to talk about?
Ten minutes later, she’d sent another text asking the same thing. Two minutes after that, she’d demanded,
Grady! Tell me now!
But he couldn’t tell her now. Grady wanted to do that in person. One way or another, no matter what shook down between him and Allison, Grady was determined that he and Kate should call it quits.

Grandma O’Brien had nailed it. Kate wasn’t the woman for him. Neither was Meg—obviously. He’d begun to hope he could develop something meaningful with Allison, but now Grady just didn’t know. His head was all screwed up and his emotions were in a jumble. All he could do was hope things would look clearer in the morning.

Allison awoke wondering how she was going to get through this day. She was in a quandary over whether to say anything further to Grady or let things drop. The more they talked about what might happen after the beach, the tenser the conversation became. Perhaps she’d been wrong to so openly share her feelings with Grady, but if she couldn’t be honest with him, maybe he wasn’t the guy for her.
 

Was it her fault she’d been swept away? He might not have appreciated the Mack truck comparison, but the analogy was pretty accurate. Grady had come on full force, flattering Allison with his attentions, remembering details about her preferences. Next, he’d courted her friends with his fine wines and witty repartee. To add insult to injury—or near-injury, anyway—Grady had gone and saved her life!

How could he do all that and not expect Allison to fall for him? Especially when he’d stood so close and indicated that he wanted what she’d wished for too? She thought she’d seen it in his eyes: the very same longing she felt. Was that also part of Grady’s act? Had he simply been toying with her? Playing some kind of game? But toward what end? What on earth could Grady hope to gain from her?

She’d risen early to find Grady slumbering soundly by the fireplace, and had showered and dressed quietly, before walking to the kitchen to get some coffee. The whole house was asleep, so she’d had to start the first pot. The group typically went through several during the course of the day.

Allison stared out the window as the coffee brewed, watching the sun peek over the horizon. The snow had completely stopped and last night’s winds had scattered what was left of it throughout the dunes. Temperatures were expected to rise today, and the warming sun would likely chase away any last signs of the snowfall.
 

The ocean had calmed and waves rolled onto the beach in a steady rhythm while gulls dived for the sea. Beyond a faraway crest in the waves, she spied the humped back of a dolphin rising up out of the water, then dipping back below. Another dolphin followed a few feet behind, and then another. An entire pod was swimming together. They were headed toward the point, the bend in the shore where the lighthouse stood.
 

Allison’s heart stilled as she recalled those terrifying moments when she’d held on for dear life, suspended by that spindly tree on the outcropping. If it hadn’t been for Grady coming to her rescue, she wouldn’t be here now, and for that she’d always be grateful. Allison felt a wave of shame, thinking that it was possible she’d been too hard on him. Had she been expecting too much in too short a window of time?

Just look at everything Grady had done for her, and with no thought of receiving anything for himself in return. He’d even risked his life. Allison thought back to the casual boyfriends she’d had and had a hard time imagining any of them placing themselves in similar danger on her behalf. In every way Allison could think of, Grady had proved himself to be an honorable man. He’d been completely honest with her about everything, including Meg and Kate. And he’d done her an enormous favor by coming here to begin with.

Allison knew she couldn’t let the tensions between them fester. She needed to address them straightaway. Being open was a two-way street. She’d been forthright with Grady about her feelings, and he’d shot straight with her as well. And when he had, she’d blown a gasket. Could Allison really blame Grady for wanting to take his time? Especially after what he’d been through?
 

Of all the men Allison had been involved with, Grady O’Brien was head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe she didn’t like what he did for a living, but perhaps that was because she’d never fully paid attention when he’d attempted to explain the nuances. Each time he’d tried, that ugly tangle of emotions and grief concerning her mom had risen to the surface and completely obstructed her view.
 

Grady couldn’t possibly be the heartless businessman she’d originally conceived of. Now that Allison had gotten to know him as a person, she had to believe he was different. At the very least, she owed it to him to give him a chance. She should also probably say she was sorry for pushing too hard. If she kept pushing, she might just succeed in pushing Grady completely away, and in her heart, Allison knew that wasn’t what she wanted.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Grady opened his eyes to see Allison entering their room holding two mugs of coffee. He must have finally dozed off, and slept like a rock.

She smiled tentatively. “I brought one for you: black, with sugar.”
 

“Thanks, Allison.” He sat up groggily and accepted her offering, blinking at the light streaming in through the windows. Yesterday’s storm had apparently washed out to sea and today promised to be a beauty.

Grady took a sip of coffee, savoring its warmth. He hadn’t known what to expect of Allison after last night. He was grateful her attitude had improved. They had the rest of the week to get through and, hopefully, more time beyond that. During those dark and dreary after-midnight hours, Grady had tried to talk himself out of becoming involved with her. But seeing Allison now, with her beautiful blond hair in its morning disarray, he knew it would be impossible to walk away.

He cared for Allison, he really did. She was talented, sweet and pretty, and her strong bond with her friends was a testament to her commitment and kindness. And when she looked at him with those heavenly eyes, Grady found himself completely captivated. He had a sense they could build something together. Something terrific, if Allison would grant him some time. Perhaps she thought he was backing out because he’d balked at the words
love
and
future.
If that was her impression, she’d misunderstood his reaction. It wasn’t that Grady didn’t want those things too, or that he couldn’t hope for them...eventually. But he knew himself better than Allison did, and Grady was a cautious man.

“Allison, about last night—” He started to speak, but her words overlapped with his.

“Grady, I…”

“Yes?”

“You first.” She set her coffee on the bedside table and sat down on the bed. Grady opened his mouth to speak, but then she stopped him. “No, wait. I’d better go.” She drew in a deep breath. “Before I lose my nerve.”

Just then, Grady’s cell phone buzzed from the drawer in the dresser. “Go on.”

It buzzed again and she glanced in that direction.
 

“Let’s just ignore it.”

“Okay, here’s the deal.” Allison pressed her lips together and her chin trembled. “Grady, I do—”

The blasted phone buzzed again, and then again. Then a fifth time!

Allison sighed and rubbed her neck. “Maybe you should get that?”

This was all Grady needed: more text messages from Kate. “I’ll just turn off my phone,” he said as it continued to buzz. What on earth was Kate doing? Sending one angry diatribe after the next?

“What if it’s important?”

“I can answer later.” He started to climb out of the sleeping bag, but Allison was quicker. She got to her feet and strode to the dresser, sliding open the drawer.
 

“I’ll bring it to you.”

“You don’t need to—”

She smiled congenially and picked up the cell. “Already done!” Allison brought it to him and it vibrated loudly in her hand. “Someone’s very persistent,” she said, passing it to him. As she did, her gaze snagged on a message and her face paled.
 

Grady stared at the phone and his world stood still. It wasn’t a text message at all, but a string of e-mails from his assistant, Diane. Each one concerned a deal-in-progress and she was sending him the paperwork to review. He’d asked her to have the contracts on his desk by Monday, but Diane was always trying to prove her efficiency by getting a jump on things. She had arranged the e-mails in alphabetical order according to the subject line.

Allison scanned Grady’s first unread e-mail, the one that sat at the top of his in-box, and her jaw dropped. “‘Bella Fortuna Buyout’?” She turned her stunned gaze on Grady and his heart stopped. Her expression was cloudy, her eyes misting over. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Though it seemed impossible to admit this now, Grady had been so confident of his success, he’d gone ahead and commissioned the paperwork so he’d have it ready. He spoke past the lump in his throat. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about your company…” He reached for the phone, but she snatched it back in disbelief.

“So it
is
about my Bella Fortuna? Oh, my gosh! Oh…my…gosh!” She spun on her heel, angrily turning away from him and punching the e-mail open. “The
paperwork you requested last week,
Grady?” She wheeled back on him and there were daggers in her eyes. “And why haven’t you said anything about it?”

Grady swallowed hard. “I was going to, but then so much happened—”

“Yes, it did, didn’t it?” Her eyes widened in incredulity. “And now I know the reason.” She bit back her tears. “For everything!”

“Allison, wait.” He tried to stand from his sleeping bag, but she pressed her hand into his shoulder and pushed him back down.

“For what? More lies?”

“I’ve never lied to you,” he said, his throat raw.

“Oh, I beg to differ!” She chucked his cell onto the bed. Allison brought her hands to her head and shook it. “It all makes sense now. Your eagerness to come on this trip, the smooth way you won over my friends, the ultra-sneaky way you tried to woo me! No wonder you said we needed to take our time! The ink hadn’t dried on the contract, because I hadn’t signed it yet! Jeez!” She blinked at him, startled. “Did you somehow arrange the cliff thing too? Go up there and loosen some rocks?”

“Now you’re talking crazy.” He shoved the sleeping bag from his legs and stood, facing her in his boxers. “I would never do a thing like that. Put you in mortal danger. What kind of guy do you think I am?”

“I don’t know, Grady. What kind of guy are you? It seems I don’t know you at all! That whole thing with Meg? Was that a lie too? A ploy to gain my sympathy?”

“Allison, no—” He reached for her and she backed away.

“I have one question for you. Why my company? Why Bella Fortuna Wine Designs? Because you thought it could help you?”

“Not only that. It could help you too!”

She gritted her teeth, striking fear into Grady’s heart. He’d never seen her so incensed. “Grrrr…Grady!”

He jumped.
 

“I’m so disappointed in you I can’t believe it.”

Grady extended his hands, palms down. “Maybe if you just took time to calm down, we could talk about—”

“What? Are you planning to lay out your proposal? Deliver a formal pitch? No, thank you, Mr. O’Brien. Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying!” Allison grabbed the jeans and sweatshirt he’d left neatly folded on top of his suitcase last night, and hurled them at him. “And, here’s a news flash for you. I’m not
selling
either!”

Grady clutched his clothes to his chest, his entire universe caving in. So this was what a supernova felt like. He’d gone from brilliant to utter nothingness in seconds flat.

Allison closed her eyes and blew out a hard breath. When she looked at him again, her gaze was polar. “I think you’d better leave.”

“Leave?” He nearly choked on the word. “You mean like go on a walk, or for a drive? Get out of your hair for—?”

“No, Grady,” she said, her expression ominous. “I mean
go,
as in hit the road. Head back to Marydale.”

“You’re kidding.”

She pointed to her cheek and gave a bitter, pinched-up smile. “Does this look like kidding to you?”

“But, what about the rest of the week? Your friends? And you?” He shook his head numbly. “How will you get back?”

She gave a little huff. “Don’t worry about me. I’m sure I’ll manage without the fabulous Grady O’Brien coming to my rescue.”

The woman was impossible. She wouldn’t even listen. She was throwing him out? Just like that? Grady yanked his sweatshirt over his head and tugged up his jeans. “Yeah, well, in that case,” he said caustically, “you’d best steer clear of any cliffs.” Then he threw the rest of his belongings into his bags and stormed through their private outside door, slamming it shut behind him.