Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

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Hannah grabbed Grayson’s arm, her excitement impossible to conceal. “Who was that lovely girl? She’s so pretty.” Even prettier than all the blind date candidates she had found for him.

Grayson gently peeled her fingers away. “Grandma, what are you doing here?”

Hannah looked him in the eye. “Don’t change the subject. Tell me, who is she? What’s her name? What’s your relationship?”

Grayson shook his head. “Grandma, don’t ask. I’m not ready to tell you yet.”

Hannah raised a frail fist, playfully threatening him. “Are you trying to give me insomnia? I won’t sleep a wink wondering.”

Her punches were feather–light, and Grayson didn’t bother dodging. “Hitting me won’t help. I’m not telling.”

Hannah puffed out her cheeks, exasperated. ‘He’s deliberately keeping me in suspense.

But she quickly switched tactics. “Fine, fine. I won’t ask her name. Just tell me… how far have things gone between you two?”

A slow, enigmatic smile touched Grayson’s lips. “What needed to happen, has happened.”

Hannah’s hands flew to her mouth, stifling a squeal of delight. ‘My great–grandchild is on the way.’

“Grandma,” Grayson said, steering her gently toward the door, “you can go home now, right?”

Hannah nodded vigorously, her face one big, happy smile. “I’m going. But you hurry things along, understand? Try to get married this year.”

Grayson froze.

Hannah rushed back to the Pierce Manor, bubbling over with the news. Soon after, Grayson’s phone began to ring.

First, it was his father, Leo. “Grayson, I hear I’m going to be a grandfather? Bring the girl home for dinner. We should meet her family and start discussing wedding arrangements.”

Next, it was his uncle, Tripp Pierce. “Grayson, you’re going to be dad and you didn’t say a word? And here your grandmother was setting you up on blind dates just the other day. You work fast.”

Then it was his aunt, Christina Welch. “Grayson, dear, your gran mother says you have a girlfriend.

“What does she do? What’s her background? Who’s in her family Have you had everything checked properly?

“While it’s not ideal to have a child before marriage, since it’s happened, we must take it seriously.”

Grayson was utterly speechless. ‘How on earth did Grandma inte pret my words? How did it become an unplanned pregnancy? She’s truly desperate for a great–grandchild

He spent the next hour patiently explaining the misunderstanding to each family member.

Leo, Tripp, and Christina were left equally exasperated, agreeing that Hannah’s desire for a great grandchild had officially driven her around the bend.

After all, this was the same woman who had once arranged eight blind dates in one sitting

On the way to Juliette’s apartment, Eloise felt weightless, adrift i a haze. Her mind was a chaotic whirl, wondering why Grayson kissed her.

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Chapter 17

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But more than that, she despised herself for how she had melted into it. In a moment of self–directed frustration, she thumped her forehead lightly against the back of the taxi’s passenger seat.

The taxi driver glanced nervously in the rearview mirror. ‘What wrong with this girl? Please don’t do anything drastic in my car.

The taxi driver kept a watchful eye but soon relaxed when she just sat back, looking troubled rather than suicidal.

Eloise arrived at Juliette’s. Juliette had ordered fried chicken and burgers for Noah, and there were leftovers. Eloise ate some of them, making it her dinner.

“So, did you get your car back?” Juliette asked casually.

Eloise shook her head, and Juliette raised an eyebrow. “It’s not fixed yet?”

Eloise shook her head again.

“Then what were you doing over there?” Juliette said. Both Juliette and Noah looked at her curiously.

Eloise didn’t know how to explain. ‘Should I say Grayson was being irrational because I didn’t accept his friend request?‘ She opted for silence.

Juliette, however, had a nose for drama, and Eloise had already told her about the accident and Grayson’s help.

“Spill,” Juliette said, pulling Eloise into the bedroom away from Noah’s ears. “What did Grayson want?”

“Nothing much.” Eloise stared at the floor.

“Nothing much? And you’re this on edge?” Juliette saw right through that.

Eloise tried to defend herself. “I’m not.”

Juliette said seriously, “Sweetie, I have X–ray vision. Don’t lie. Ou with it.”

Eloise fidgeted with her fingers, her voice dropping to a whisper Grayson… he kissed me.”

“What?” Juliette exploded. “He assaulted you? I’ll go find that…”

“It’s not like that,” Eloise cut in quickly. “Juliette, what do you think he meant by it?”

Juliette studied her conflicted face. “You haven’t really given up on him, have you?”

Eloise hung her head, shame washing over her. “I keep telling myself it’s impossible, that I need to move on, but actually letting go is so hard.”

She looked up, her eyes vulnerable. “Do you despise me for it?”

Juliette wrapped an arm around her shoulders, a gesture of solid support. “Eloise, my own love life is a mess. I’m in no position to give wise advice or pass judgment.”

She sighed. “Follow your own heart. In this life, it’s okay to fall aw times. You just have to get back up But with a family like Grayson’s, you need to think very, very carefully.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself,” Eloise said, shaking her head into the Pierce family. I know my place. I’m not that delusional

in not dreaming of a future with him, let alone marrying

A bitter smile touched her lips. “It’s just… I spent five years looking for him. My feelings never really went away.

“When he shows the slightest interest, I fall apart. A part of me ll foolishly hopes he might still have feelings for me too.”

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Chapter 17

When Juliette saw the pain in her eyes, her heart ached for Elois

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“I’ll get myself together,” Eloise said, her voice firmer now, as if tying to convince herself. “I won’t let something like that happen again.”

Eloise was disgusted with her own weakness. Asking Juliette was just a way to share the burden of her shame.

*****

Early the next morning, a message popped up on Eloise’s phone from Grayson. [I’m at the entrance to your apartment complex. I’ll take you to get your car.]

Eloise’s stomach sank. ‘Oh no. I don’t live in that complex.

Eloise: [Mr. Pierce, just send me the address. I can go myself.]

Grayson’s reply was terse. [Ten minutes.]

Panic fluttered in her chest. ‘What do I do now?‘ Her mind raced fabricating another excuse.

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