The Borrowed Boyfriend (26 page)

He viewed her happily. “No, not at all.”

“I was thinking of the opera.”

“The opera?” Grady laughed so hard, he nearly lost his grip on his coffee.
 

“Puccini, specifically.”

“But why?”

“Because I’ve never been to one.” She grinned sweetly. “Who better to take me?”

“Who better, indeed?” He took their coffees and set them aside. “I’ve got to warn you though, it’s an
opera.
”

“What does that mean?”

“There will likely be hand-holding, and physical displays of affection…” he said, pulling her close. Color rose in her cheeks.

“Grady…”

“Maybe even kissing, and a hint at
amore
…”

Allison’s eyes sparkled when she asked, “Are we talking about what happens during the show or afterward?”
 

Her mouth tilted up toward his and something ignited inside him: a deep, powerful yearning. No woman had ever moved him the way that Allison did, and he wanted her in his life now more than ever. “Oh, darling,” he said, brushing his lips over hers, “I hope both.”
 

Allison whimpered into his kiss and tugged him up against her, clearly desiring him just as much as he needed her. He kissed her softly at first, then intensified his ardor, following her cues. When she lightly nipped his bottom lip, Grady groaned, feeling pure pleasure pulse through him.
One step at a time
wasn’t going to be easy with Allison, when everything in his soul wanted to race straight ahead. Yet, he was determined to do right by her and be the kind of boyfriend she deserved.
 

Grady cradled her in his arms and they were lost to each other for a long, luxurious time. Then, after an extended bout of PDA on the park bench, they both admitted they’d worked up an appetite—and decided to open the cookies.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Six weeks later, Grady took Allison to meet his grandmother in Boston. His parents lived in Seattle and they were planning to see them at Christmas, after Grady met Allison’s family in Charleston over Thanksgiving. Grady wanted Allison to meet Grandma O’Brien first, as he’d explained the special bond they shared.
 

The minute the kindly older lady opened the door, her face brightened. “Why, Grady and Allison! Aren’t you two a pair?” She wrapped them both in a warm hug, saying how happy she was to see them, and invited them inside. The house smelled of fresh-baked cookies and a pretty tea service sat on the coffee table by the couch in the living room.

“It’s such an honor to meet you, Mrs. O’Brien.”

“Please, call me Abigail.” She smiled sweetly. “All my friends do.”

Grady handed her a wine bottle. “Meet our first creation in the Bella Fortuna line. It’s a prototype. We roll out the full venture next spring.”

Abigail slowly turned the bottle over in her hands, carefully studying its label. “Lovely, isn’t it?” Her chest puffed out with pride. “Imagine what you two can do when you make babies!”

“Grandma!”
 

“Well, don’t be wasting any time in getting to it. I won’t be here forever, ya know.”

Allison glanced at Grady and his color deepened. “She gets a little overzealous at times,” he whispered as Abigail scuttled toward the kitchen.

“Make yourselves at home! Just going to put the kettle on.”

One step at a time,
Allison thought to herself. Not that the idea of making babies with Grady didn’t sound terrific. Only, given the fact that they weren’t even engaged, it would likely be a while. That was okay with Allison. She’d learned to savor every moment as it came.

This past month and a half had been a whirlwind, starting with a fantastic night at the opera and ending with Total Wines’ smooth acquisition of her company. Bella Fortuna Wine Designs had become a Total Wines subsidiary, remaining wholly intact. Better than that, Allison had been able to hire more staff and provide better perks for her existing employees. She didn’t know how he’d done it, but Grady had pulled more than a few rabbits out of several hats, and her once-faltering operation had become the poster child for Total Wines’ expansion success.

If she had ever questioned his motivations in business, she had no qualms about his moral integrity now. Grady was every bit as honorable in his professional realm as he was in his personal life with her. And oh, how he’d swept her away. He’d taken her to dinner, the movies, museums…even canoeing, hiking and camping! A little to Allison’s dismay, Grady had brought her a separate sleeping bag, rather than the double one. But she understood he was being cautious. It wasn’t like Grady didn’t want her. She could feel it in every ounce of her being. It was more like he was waiting for something.

“Any minute now!” Grandma O’Brien called cheerfully. While Allison and Grady had gotten settled on the sofa, she’d carried the tea service to the kitchen, refusing their offers of help as she did. “Oh, Grady!” she hollered a few seconds later. “Come here, lad. I do believe I’ll need a hand with this after all!” After saying that, for some reason, she chuckled.

“Do you need my help?” Allison queried.

“No, lass! You just stay put!”

What seemed an eternity later, the two of them returned from the kitchen. Grady balanced a tray holding the teapot, three cups, milk, sugar and a plate of cookies as his grandma paraded beside him, a pleased look on her face.

“Well!” Allison said. “This looks delicious.”

Grady sat next to Allison on the sofa and Abigail took the Queen Anne chair catty-corner from her. “Would you like to pour, dear?”

“Pour? Oh, ah…” Allison was frightfully embarrassed. She’d never actually served tea before, and wasn’t clear on the protocol. “I’m not sure I know how to do it.”

“Go on now, pick up the pot. It’s not that hard. I’ll help you.”

She instructed Allison on how full to fill each cup and waited until Allison put the pot down. “Good,” she said encouragingly. “Now you ask us if we want cream or sugar.”

Allison had a hunch Grady took his tea the same way he took his coffee. “I’ve got this,” she said confidently, recalling every episode of BBC television she’d ever seen. She turned to Abigail first. “One lump or two?”

“No sugar for me, dear. I take mine black.”

Allison guessed how Grady wanted his, but why was his mouth twitching? “Grady?” she asked him. “Is something wrong?”

“No, darling.” He smiled pleasantly. “All’s right in my world. How about you?”

Allison studied him quizzically, thinking he was acting awfully weird. “Good, great. I’m fine.”

Grady nodded and extended his cup, apparently waiting for his sugar. Allison straightened her spine and leaned forward, lifting the sugar bowl lid. She could do this, of course she could.

“You’re doing fine, dear,” Abigail said warmly.

Then something glinted in the light. No way! But it was! A gorgeous solitaire offset by rubies sat in the empty sugar bowl. Allison’s heart raced, and her cheeks flushed hot. What on earth did this mean?

“Heavens!” Abigail said, peeking over her shoulder. “Will you look at that! It’s my old engagement ring.”

“Imagine that,” Grady said, without a hint of surprise.

Allison stared at them both, unable to believe…unwilling to hope…

“Funny thing about that ring,” Abigail said to Allison. “It brings very good luck. The luck of the Irish, we like to call it. Grady’s grandfather had it made for me many years ago. I never believed I could part with it until now.”

Allison’s eyes felt warm because she thought she knew where this was going.

“I’m very particular,” Abigail said with a wink. “Only the best for my Grady.”

Next, Grady stunned her by sliding off the sofa and dropping down on one knee. He pried the ring from the sugar bowl, then took Allison’s hand. “My sweet,” he said, and she laughed through her tears. “Grandma O’Brien has never offered her ring to anyone, but she did to you—sight unseen—and you want to know why?”

“I saw it in his eyes,” Abigail cut in.

Grady sent her a petitioning look, but it was lined with kindness.

“Well, what do ya know?” his grandma said suddenly. “Seems I forgot to turn the kettle off.” Then she disappeared from the room as Allison’s world went fuzzy. Could this really be happening? Could Grady actually be…?

“Allison,” he said, taking her hand. “I know things began in the wrong way, but I want to spend the rest of my life making them right.” He shot her a grin and his dimple deepened. “I mean, if you’ll let me.”

He kissed the back of her hand and her heart fluttered.

“You make me the happiest man on earth, happier than I ever thought I’d be. It seems a lifetime ago now, but I meant what I said on that cliff. I never want to let you go.” He slid the gorgeous two-carat ring on her finger, positioning it just above her top knuckle. “You think I rescued you that day? No way. You’re the one who saved me. Who made me able to feel again and love deeply. And I promise you this.” He gazed at her earnestly. “I’ve never loved anyone more deeply than you. You’re my moon and my stars and my sun, and I never want to watch another sunset without you. Say you’ll be with me for the rest of my life.” His Adam’s apple rose and fell. “Say that you’ll marry me, Allison Murphy.”

Tears blistered down her cheeks and her hand trembled. “Oh, Grady. I will.”

Allison couldn’t have imagined feeling this happy, but things were about to get even better. He slid the ring fully on her finger and took her in his arms. Her heart beat double-time when he gave a husky growl and whispered, “I’ve been saving it up for you, darling… Get ready.” Then he kissed her so passionately she heard wedding bells ring.

Epilogue

Queenie strode onto the patio and swept her arms across the broad landscape. Purple hills rolled in the distance, where cypress trees towered high. Wild sunflowers in the foreground turned their faces to the sun as a herd of sheep ambled by. The sky was bright blue and brisk winds riffled her colorful kaftan. “I’ll never get used to this view. It’s gorgeous!”

Brevard wrapped an arm around her waist. “Maybe we should come here on our honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon? What honeymoon?” Her eyebrows arched. “Please, Brevard. One honeymoon at a time.”

They all sipped their bubbly and everyone, including Brevard, laughed. They’d done it! They’d made it to Tuscany in March. Allison never could have imagined a year ago that she’d be coming here married. Shortly after Kate learned about Allison’s budding relationship with Grady, she’d moved out of their apartment to move in with Beau, who was relocating to Marydale. With her company more secure and profitable, Allison was able to handle the apartment rent by herself for the remainder of the lease, and now she’d be moving in with Grady. They occasionally saw Kate and Beau around town, and both couples were cordial to each other. Though Allison could never imagine the four of them becoming good friends. Allison’s lifelong best buddies were right here.

Grady pulled her into a hug and whispered, “Having a good time?” She was having the time of her life, thanks to him, and she said so. After their early March wedding, they’d vacationed in Maine at the very same beach house the group had rented the year before. Only, Allison and Grady had gone there alone. They’d safely made it to the lighthouse more than once, and had fun “breaking in” every room in the place, as Grady called it.
 

Allison flushed, recalling Grady’s vigor. He was still showing evidence of it in Italy, which was why Carla had pulled her aside and asked with a knowing smile why Allison was walking like a cowgirl. Allison didn’t mind the good-natured teasing from her friends. She could see how happy they were for her. Allison was happy for them too.

Brevard had finally finished his book, and to his—and Queenie’s—delight it had become a
New York Times
best seller. Brevard kept hinting at marriage, and, though Queenie had not yet said yes, she seemed to be growing less resistant to the idea.

Bruce had completed his residency and opened a practice with a small group of doctors he’d met in medical school. He and Carla were expecting their first baby, so she was the only one not drinking real champagne. From the glow on her cheeks, it hardly seemed to matter. She was a brunette this year, and Allison thought it suited her. It might even have been her natural color, but Allison wasn’t sure.

Patrick and Deb were as companionable as ever. No one could guess if they’d eventually tie the knot, and not a one among them would dare to ask the question. They seemed happy the way they were. Allison knew that
she
was happy. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect life than the one she had. She stretched out her hand and examined her diamond as it glittered in the natural light, perfectly complementing the gold wedding band beside it. “You like it a lot, don’t you?” Grady asked, nuzzling the side of her neck.

Allison sighed, thinking if he didn’t stop, he’d have to carry her back to the bedroom, and she was having enough trouble walking as it was. “I love it,” she said. “I really do. But not nearly as much as I love you.”

He pulled her up against him and shared a sexy grin. “Luck of the Irish to ya.”

She breathed against his lips. “Luck of the Irish, Grady.”

His mouth moved in for a kiss.