“Of course. So long as you’re happy.”
He nodded once, uneasy in the pit of his stomach. Abby’s face filled his mind, her face as it had been the night before, when she’d accused him of going to someone else. He’d sworn he was done hurting her.
“Have you told mother dearest?”
He winced. “No. But the announcement is going out in tomorrow’s papers, so I guess I should break the news to her soon.”
“Want me to do it?”
He laughed. “You’d like that.”
Max grinned. “Kind of.”
“She’ll take it better from me.”
“We’ll see.”
Max walked around to Gray’s shoulder, lifted up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Don’t screw this up.”
Gray sobered. “I don’t intend to.”
And he really, really didn’t.
Chapter14
“OH, HI, MOM.”
“Abigail Brenna, what the hell is going on?”
Abby flinched at her mother’s unmistakable tone. “I take it you saw the newspapers.”
“Saw them. Got tagged in them online. Had everyone I know either call or text me to discuss. Is it true?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’ve been meaning to.”
“But, what? You didn’t get around to it? You’re my only daughter, and I hear about your engagement through a newspaper article?”
“I know. I’m –,”
“Don’t apologize.” Winona Brenna interrupted. “Not if you’re happy.”
Abigail frowned. Was she? She checked on Charlotte once more – the little girl was fast asleep after an energetic playdate with her cousin Amelia – and moved into the kitchen. She started to make a cup of tea, then changed her mind, opting for an ice-cold wine instead. “Charlotte’s happy,” Abby said after too long a beat. She could practically hear her mother frowning. Great. So much for convincing her mother this was legit.
“Charlotte’s a baby, and she was happy already,” Winona said quietly. “You’ve done a remarkable job of making sure of that.”
Stupid, unwanted tears pricked at Abby’s eyes. “Thank you,” she mumbled, as the door opened. She blinked quickly, forcing a tight smile to her face as Gray strolled in.
Everything inside of her seemed to shift and change. She was no longer conscious of anything but her breathing and Gray. Her lungs moved ferociously, her body seemed to vibrate with intensity as he crossed towards her, his eyes holding hers, a small frown around his lips. Things had been strained between them since the dinner with Max and Noah. Abby didn’t know how tobearound him. A thousand feelings were at conflict within her, so she couldn’t think straight.
“It’s mom,” she mouthed, pointing towards her phone.
He nodded, moved towards the fridge and pulled out a beer, cracked the top, watching her in a way that made her blood simmer.
“When will the wedding be?”