by Erika Kelly
The moment they walked in, the hostess came around the podium to greet him. She gave him a hug. “How’s it going?” When she pulled back, her gaze shifted to Knox.
“Great.” He watched carefully for a reaction. Tara hadn’t grown up in Calamity, so he doubted she knew about Knox’s childhood reputation. “Your mom feeling better?”
Whatever she’d been thinking about Knox, her attention snapped back to him with gratitude. “She’s out of the hospital, but I think she finally learned her lesson.”
Gray gestured toward Knox. “Knox, this is Tara. Her mom broke her hip.”
“We keep telling her to slow down. She’s eighty years old and still rappelling.” She rolled her eyes. “So damn stubborn.”
“I’m sorry she got hurt,” Knox said. “But she sounds pretty cool.”
“Gray,” someone called.
Turning, he found a group of old friends from high school gathered at the bar and waved.
“Let’s get you to a table before you’re swarmed.” Tara pulled two menus out of the pocket on the podium and lead them through the restaurant.
A warm, delicate hand brushed his, and he startled. Looking down, he watched as Knox twined her fingers with his. She held his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world, like they were an old couple, and it sent his blood racing, his heart pounding. She didn’t know what the simple gesture meant to him.
He’d waited a lifetime to have her like this, so if he gripped her a little too tightly, he couldn’t have stopped himself.
In a rush of emotion, he brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed the back of hers. He didn’t delude himself for a second that she’d stay here. He knew she was bound for better things. She’d become a star, like Luc, and base her business in New York, Milan, Paris. It’s what she’s always wanted and what she deserves. He’d never hold her back.
But, maybe, by then, he’d go with her.
As they wove their way across the crowded, noisy restaurant, people giving him chin nods and waves, he imagined a life with her. He could see waking up with her every morning and talking about their day over dinner at night. But the in-between times—that’s what he couldn’t see. Because she’d be working nonstop. And, if he left Calamity, what would he do? He loved his mountains, his family, his lifestyle. He’d always figured he’d run his business from the ranch and help Fin out at the training facility. He supposed he could run his business anywhere.
He swiped it from his mind. He’d figure it out when the time came. Now that he had her, he would do whatever it took to steer them toward a forever.
Tara led them to a small table in the corner and set the menus down. “Enjoy your meal.”
“Thanks.” He started to pull out a chair, when Knox reached for it. It took a moment for him to understand why she’d want to face the wall, but when he did, his anger spiked. Cady should be glad he hadn’t been in the restaurant the other night. Delilah had handled it a whole lot better than he would have.
One day she’ll be celebrated in this town for the beautiful, talented, woman she is.
Once seated, she pulled her napkin out from under the silverware. “How does all this attention not go to your head? You’re like a movie star.”
“Hardly.”
“Please. You’re gorgeous and charismatic. Not to mention you’re the hometown hero, bringing home the gold.”
“That won’t get much traction until I’m actually on the team. Then, it’ll be a big deal. It’s really more about the meme. It brought a lot of attention on all of us.” His phone vibrated. Fin. Shit. He pulled it out of his pocket to read his brother’s text.
Where the hell are you?
He’d blown off afternoon training. He wrote him back. Dinner. He’d only meant to spend a couple hours looking at spaces, but then…things had taken a turn, and he’d lost track of time.
I’m sorry. I blew it.
You better have a good reason.
He did, but he wasn’t telling his brother about it. Town Inspector shut Knox down yesterday. Had to find a new space for her biz.
Did you?
Yeah. Signed a lease.
Good reason. Should have told me. Been waiting around with my thumb up my ass.
Sounds uncomfortable. Unless…you’re into that kind of thing?
Fuck off.
But bailing on his brother wasn’t cool. I should have called you. I’m sorry.
OK. See you in the morning.
He pocketed his phone.
“Everything okay?” Knox asked.
“Forgot to tell Fin I wasn’t training this afternoon.”
She immediately looked guilty. “He must be so frustrated. Well, now that I’m settled, I won’t be taking up so much of your time.”
“I’m good.”
“You’re driving Fin crazy.”
“I know.” And it wasn’t right. Gray needed to make a decision. He either gave Fin a full commitment, or he freed his brother up to work with other athletes. “I’ll fix it.” Candlelight flickered on her lovely features, and he knew right then he’d already made his choice.
He wouldn’t give up his time with Knox, not for anything.
“I wish your dad could be there to see you on the podium.”
“Me, too.” He’d dreamed about it as a kid, seeing his dad’s face in the crowd at a fencing competition, beaming with pride. Or in the audience at one of his jazz concerts. He’d get that medal, and it would be great—but it would never be the same as having his dad there.
She caressed the back of his hand. “Where did you just go?”
“What do you mean?”
“Everything in you just softened like butter in a microwave.” She smiled. “Tell me.”
“Nah. Just…I can see it, you know. My dad’s expression when the scores come up on the board. When I step off the podium and make my way right to him.”
“He’d be thrilled.”
“Hey, Gray.” The waiter appeared with a water pitcher. “What can I get you guys to drink? And when I say you guys, I really mean your friend.” The guy gave Knox a long-suffering look. “And please tell me you’re more fun than the Bowies, who only ever want water.”
She took a quick scan of the drinks menu. “How about a blackberry mojito?”
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about. I’ll be right back with your cocktail and to take your order.”
They both picked up their menus, and Gray said, “What looks good?”
“You do.” She reached for his knee under the table. “I hope it’s not stupid to say it. But I can’t remember when I’ve ever felt this happy.”
He lunged across the table, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her. Against her mouth, he said, “Say more of that. Every single time shit like that comes into your head, say it out loud.”
“I won’t get much work done,” she murmured, before resuming their kiss.
Jesus, she got him so worked up. The gentle caress of her fingers on his jaw, the lick of her tongue on his lower lip.
“Well, look at this,” a way-too familiar voice said. “If it isn’t my two favorite people in the world.”
Shock blasted through him, the report so powerful Gray jerked back in his seat.
“Robert?” Knox’s voice was filled with confusion, surprise, and a hint of fear.
Gray forced himself to stand, though his limbs felt like sandbags. He reached a hand out. “Hey, man.”
Robert Granger, Junior, looking healthy and fit, smirked at the hand, grabbed it, and yanked Gray in for a bear hug. He squeezed just a little too tightly. A message?
“Great to see you, man.” Robert released him and turned his attention to Knox.
Between the rainstorm, Gray’s hands in her hair, and all the drama of the past couple of hours, she hadn’t had time to shower or change her clothes, but her tousled hair and creamy complexion made her the most beautiful woman Gray had ever seen. Her loose sweater had slipped, revealing a bare, slender shoulde
r.
Watching the couple reunite…it pierced his heart with a razor-sharp knife of fear. But her mouth was still wet from his kiss, and a surge of want crashed over him. He wanted this woman, wanted her more than anything, and he could not believe Robert had come back into their lives right when he’d finally gotten the chance to be with her.
“Jesus, Knox.” The smile left Robert’s face. “Look at you.” He reached for her.
Jammed between the table and the wall, she stood awkwardly and leaned into his embrace for an upper body hug, but Robert bestowed a brilliant smile to the couple at the table next to them. “Excuse me, I haven’t seen this woman in seven years, and an air kiss is just not going to cut it.”
His usual charm worked its magic, and the elderly couple smiled. “You lay one on her,” the man said.
Robert tugged Knox into his arms, closing his eyes and hugging her with the relief of a man who’d just been reunited with his long-lost love.
Knox’s body remained stiff, and when she started to pull away, Robert tightened his hold and murmured in her ear.
She broke out in a smile. You could always count on him for that. No matter how fucked up a situation got, Robert could always make people laugh. And Gray saw the moment his heart relaxed in her ex’s arms, the moment she leaned into him.
“It’s so damn good to see you,” Robert said.
All Knox had ever wanted was a sober Robert.
Gray felt sucker-punched. He wanted to flip the table over. Was this reunion going to turn into a reenactment of their childhood, with Gray the third wheel, wanting her from afar again?
No. No. And hell no. He wasn’t going back to that, not for anything.
He’d learned his lesson. You can’t make someone love you. She either wanted him or she didn’t.
Slow your roll, man. Seven years was a long damn time. Besides, hadn’t she said she’d never loved Robert romantically? That she’d been tied to him because of their past?
Yeah, she had.
Gray was done watching them murmur and giggle with each other. He clapped Robert on the shoulder. “Hey, man, how long you in town?”
Knox pulled away, her features flushed.
With a sly smile at her, Robert said, “Depends on how things go.”
And there it was, that rumble of energy between the two men. Competition.
“Hey.” Robert cupped her cheek. “You all right?”
“Yeah, of course.” Looking annoyed, she pulled back. “I’m just glad to see you looking so healthy and strong. It’s nice.”
“What’d you think?” Robert straightened, jammed his hands into his pockets. “I was living in the underground tunnels of the subway system? Passed out with a needle hanging out of my arm?”
She gave him a hardened look. Yes, actually, I did. Why wouldn’t I?
Robert turned to the couple behind him. “Sorry. Let me grab a chair real quick, get out of your way.”
Gray motioned for a passing waiter. A moment later, the man dropped a chair into the tight space, and all three sat down.
“So, what brings you back to town?” The last time Gray had seen Robert was at his dad’s funeral three years ago.
“Are you making movies with your dad?” Knox asked.
“Guess you don’t read the rags.” Robert pointed to Gray’s water glass, You mind? When Gray nodded, Robert nearly drained the glass. “My folks divorced a couple years ago. Big scandal—I’ll fill you in about it later, but yeah, his funding dried up.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Hollywood didn’t work out.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. “I know how much it meant to you.”
“It’s for the best.” The way he leaned in, turning his shoulder just slightly, blocked Gray from the conversation. “I’m clean. Sober for seven years, so being around my dad…not a good idea.”
Gray inserted himself into their warm and fuzzy reunion. “What’re you doing now?”
Robert sat back in his chair, legs splayed out, one arm resting on the table. “I’m in fashion.”
“You work for your mom?” Knox sounded surprised.
Robert nodded. “Should have done it from the start, right? It’s hard enough to make it in Hollywood, but with a pothead dad? Who’s burned through every connection he’s ever made?” Knee jackhammering, he grabbed a fork, turned it over and tapped the tines on the table. “Shows you how messed up I was that I chose him over The Granger Collection.”
Seemed strange that Mrs. Granger wouldn’t mention her son in their conversation. Considering the relationship, it seemed an obvious thing to bring up.
“What do you do for them?” Knox asked.
Easy to check. He’d look up the corporate website when he got home. Any hint of guilt he might’ve felt about not believing his old friend, who appeared alert and clean, didn’t stick. He’d learned long ago addicts couldn’t be trusted.
With his attention on tapping the fork, Robert said, “I’m not full-time yet. I’ve got to prove myself to my mom. In the meantime, I do contract work for them. I’m hoping to be Creative Director for one of their lines.”
“I had no idea you were interested in fashion.” Knox tugged on the cuff of his dress shirt. “Look at you, Mr. Burberry.”
“Man’s gotta look the part in this business.” He flashed a charming grin. “But, no, I can’t say I’ve ever been interested in fashion. I’m very interested in a career, though. I’ve wasted enough time, and I want to get some traction. The family company’s my best path.”
“Have you looked into the different jobs, though? Creative Director will be tough to land at Granger’s without a degree in fashion or experience in the field.” Knox shook her head. “Listen to me, giving you advice five minutes after seeing you again.”
“No, it’s cool. Tell me.”
“It’s just that the Creative Director’s the one who comes up with the overall vision for the house’s lines. And that takes into account the marketing and advertising strategies and retail environments. You’d need those skills. I used to work for a fashion house, and I can tell you they’d never hire someone who didn’t have deep experience and a history of success.”
“Luc Bellerose?” He said it with a sly grin.
She nodded. “I don’t want to discourage you. Just the opposite. I want to see you succeed and, without the right background and experience, Creative Director might not get you on the track you want quickly enough.”
Setting the fork down, Robert drummed the edge of the table with two fingers. “What job would?”
“Honestly?” Knox said. “I’d start as an intern. Learn every aspect of the business and figure out where you want to work. You’ve already got the advantage of being a Granger, so it wouldn’t take as long for you as an outsider. But I honestly don’t believe any successful person would just hand over a prime job to someone—even her son. I think you could prove your sincerity by learning her business from the bottom up.”
“I can’t say I want to start as an intern, but I hear you. I’ll think about it.”
“It’s good to see you so motivated. It’s nice.”
“Back when you knew me, I was only interested in my next score.” He paused. “And you.”
She lost her smile. “In that order.”
Robert dropped his hands into his lap, and his shoulders slumped. All his shine dimmed. “I know what I did to you guys.” He cut a look to Gray. “And I don’t blame either of you for bailing on me. I put you both through hell, and you sticking with me as long as you did? That says a lot more about you than me. But I’m going to make it up to you.”
“You don’t have to make anything up.” Though Gray was pretty sure the comment was meant for Knox.
“I’d just like to see you happy and healthy.” Knox patted his arm.
Robert nodded deeply. “I can do that. There’s also one more thing I can do for you.” A smile burst his features wide open. “I can get you into Bridal Fashion Week.”
Chapt
er Fifteen
Knox felt like she’d stepped right off a curb into oncoming traffic. “What did you say?”
Robert sat so close their knees bumped under the table. “Got the run-down from my mom.” He tipped his chin toward Gray. “That’s what brought me out here. Heard my two best buds were working on a project together.”
The temperature in the restaurant soared to tropical. She wanted to fan herself with the napkin. “Robert, it’s three weeks away. There’s not a chance in hell we can get a show together by then.” Is there? Whatever words came out of her mouth, he’d already tossed propane on the fire in her belly. Could he pull this off?
“Why not?”
Of course, he couldn’t. How? He knew nothing about the fashion industry. “Because it’s a huge production. It took a year to put together the show I lost.” She cast a look to Gray, not wanting him to feel bad about it.
But she didn’t see guilt. The man was stricken. Oh, Gray. She needed to make sure he understood this reunion didn’t impact their relationship. And, though she was sure the kiss had gotten the message across, she needed to show Robert, too.
She gave Gray a warm smile and held her hand out to him. He grasped it.
“I think we can do this.” A light shone in Robert’s eyes. “I’ve run it by some people. Look, it’s New York City. For the right amount of money, finding a venue’s a no-brainer. Hiring models? With all the agencies out there, no issue at all. Everything else, with Granger’s connections…we’ve got this. Piece of cake.”
“More like a whole ten-tier wedding cake,” she said. “It’s a production and, even for a smaller show, it takes six months to build a set.”
“Does it have to be that elaborate, though?” Robert asked. “As long as you have the dresses, you can leave the rest to me.”
Excitement buzzed, and she wanted to stomp it out. It was cruel of him to make it sound so do-able. She should shut down the conversation, but she couldn’t help herself. “I don’t think it’s a problem to have one of each dress ready. We’d make it a priority.” She gave Gray a squeeze. She loved the feel of his big, warm hand. “What do you think?”
