“Like I said, I’ll figure it out.”
As Hugh considered me, I wondered if he had any kindness in his body. Maybe he would change his mind about going back to his house. But he shrugged and went back to the room.
My teeth gritted together as I gathered my things and set out. I checked for other hotels, but the only ones that were decent were over forty-five minutes away.
I cursed. Should I have even taken on the job with Wren? Things were fine with Grace, and I was sure I could leave if I wanted to.
But I knew I didn’t want to. Leaving meant not being able to help her out. It also meant I would miss things.
Did I even have a choice?
I was dialing her number before I could think about anything else.
“Dean?” she asked on the second ring. “Is everything okay?”
“Not really,” I said. “I might need to leave town.”
“What? What happened? Did someone say something to you?” Her voice rose in pitch.
“No, there’s a hotel issue. And since we’re in the middle of nowhere, there’s nowhere else to go.”
“Oh,” she said. “That’s surprisingly easy to fix. Just stay with me.”
I blinked, the idea bouncing around my head. Her house was nice, even if it did need some minor work. It certainly would be better than a hotel with a planning issue.
But that would be far too much time with her. I knew thatGrace’s charm could be dangerous for me. I didn’t need to make it any worse.
“No, it’s okay.”
“Seriously,” she said. “I have a guest bed. I’ll need to tidy up, but it’s here for you. And it’s free of charge!”
“Grace, I’m fine. I don’t need anything. I just figured I’d let you know I would be gone for a while.”
“I thought you took a job with Wren?”
I sighed, my shoulders slumping. “I’ll have to cancel it.”
“You don’t have to do anything,” she reminded. “I have a place for you to stay. Isn’t this whatfriendsdo for each other?”
Yes, they did. But just the thought made my shoulders tense, though not because I didn’t want to spend time with her—I did.
A little too much.
And where could that lead?
“It’s a bad idea.”
“If you stay here, you might find things to work on,” she singsonged. “And I might let you.”
My jaw fell open. She might have found the one thing that would get me to say yes. “You play dirty, Grace Day.”
“That I do. So, will I see you soon?”
Should I say no? Yes.
Was I going to? Absolutely not.
21