Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

While Eloise was still figuring out how to respond, Noah lied with a straight face. “I called her Aunt Eloise.”

Grayson frowned. “No, you didn’t.”

Noah retorted, “I did call her Aunt Eloise. What did you hear?”

Grayson replied, “It sounded like you called her Mom.”

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Noah shook his head. “No way, Mr. Pierce. Is there something wrong with your ears, or are you hearing things? I definitely called her Aunt Eloise.”

“Really? So I heard wrong?” Grayson asked.

“Yeah, you heard wrong,” Noah replied.

Eloise was pretty impressed by her son. He really knew how to keep his cool.

Grayson frowned but dropped it. ‘Of course Noah wouldn’t call Eloise Mom. He’s Bobby’s son, and I’ve even met Bobby myself, he thought.

He took out a pair of men’s slippers, placed them on the floor, and changed into them. Eloise and Noah were speechless. Grayson simply walked past them in his slippers. It was only then that Eloise realized he’d been holding the slippers all along.

Noah walked over, eyeing Grayson’s bag. “Mr. Pierce, did you buy these slippers yourself?”

Grayson looked up at Eloise, a hint of grievance in his eyes. “Well, no one got any ready for me, so I had to buy them myself.”

He had actually asked his assistant to buy them before leaving work. Every time he came here, he’d had to walk barefoot on the floor, which was really uncomfortable.

Eloise looked away. She couldn’t help but think he was being a bit silly. “Mr. Pierce, are you planning to make my place your second home now?” Eloise teased.

Grayson replied, “Didn’t you tell me to come keep Noah company?”

Eloise couldn’t argue with that. She had wanted him to spend more time with Noah, but not that much.

Eloise glanced outside at the still-bright sky. “Then please take Noah downstairs for a while. He’s been stuck inside all day. Let him get some fresh air and exercise.”

She turned to Noah. “Noah, go downstairs and play with Mr. Piece for a bit.”

Noah looked at Grayson, then at Eloise, and chose to do as Eloise said.

Grayson had been hoping to stay a little longer with Eloise, but was abruptly assigned this very task. He shot her a wounded look, yet in the end, he got up and led Noah downstairs.

Once they were gone, the apartinent felt quiet again. The pressure disappeared, and Eloise finally relaxed. She changed into a beige lounge set and went to the kitchen to cook.

It looked like Grayson was going to be staying for dinner. Since he was keeping Noah company, she reluctantly included him in her dinner plans.

Eloise checked the fridge and managed to whip up a few tasty and nutritious home-cooked dishes, plus a soup.

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Noah led Grayson around the residential complex. Several women froze when they saw a tall, handsome man with an outstanding presence walking by.

When did our neighborhood ever get a guy this gorgeous?’ one of the women wondered. ‘I’d love to go talk to him. Too bad. He’s a dad. Look, he’s got a kid with him.’

Actually, they were mothers themselves, so flirting with Grayson was out of the question. But there was no harm in enjoying

the view.

As they passed the playground, Grayson stopped. “Noah, we’re here,” he said.

Noah ignored Grayson and headed straight for the fitness area. He grabbed the monkey bars and zipped across them, quick as a flash.

Grayson raised an eyebrow, walked over, and jumped up onto the highest bar. He glanced at Noah and said, “Wanna race?”

Noah nodded.

Grayson called out, “Go.”

Noah got his little arms going, swinging from bar to bar like a pro. Grayson let him go first for a few seconds before jumping in himself.

By the time Noah made it to the end, he looked over and saw Grayson already waiting for him at the finish line.

Noah frowned, clearly not happy about losing. “One more time, he demanded.

Grayson grinned. “Sure thing.”

But Noah still lost this round. He looked a bit sulky.

Grayson ruffled Noah’s hair. “It’s kind of cheating for me as a grown-up to race you. You did great, Noah.”

Noah turned to look at Grayson. ‘Wait, is this what it’s like when dad cheers me on? Kinda nice, actually, he admitted to

himself.

“Damn, he’s handsome,” one of the women blurted out.

“Wish my husband looked like that,” another sighed.

“If my man was even half as good-looking, I’d be happy. Look at him, so handsome, fit, and strong,” a third chimed in.

“All the good husbands are someone else’s, girls. Don’t even bother comparing. You’ll just drive yourself crazy,” one of them joked.

“I’m not gonna be able to stand my husband for the next month another groaned.

“Three months for me,” another chimed in.

Suddenly, a bunch of women gathered around, all starting to charter.

Noah saw the weird looks they were giving Grayson and wasn’t having it. He protectively grabbed Grayson’s hand and pulled Grayson away.

Grayson didn’t like the way those women were staring at him either. It gave him the creeps. He followed Noah without

hesitation.

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Chapter 43

“Noah, let’s head home,” Grayson said. He wanted to spend some time with Eloise.

Noah shook his head. “Can’t do that. If we go back too early, Aun Eloise will give us a hard time.”

Grayson was at a loss for words.

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Noah ran ten laps around the complex. He usually only did five, but after realizing how much stronger Grayson was, he figured he needed to train harder. So he added five more.

Grayson followed along behind him. With his long legs, he could keep up just by walking.

Eloise gave Noah a call, telling them to come home for dinner. Noah turned to Grayson. “Aunt Eloise called us for dinner.”

Grayson raised an eyebrow. “Time to go home for dinner. So she cooked and called us back, he thought.

Grayson was loving this vibe. For a moment, it felt like he truly belonged to this little family.

When they got upstairs, Noah pulled out his key, about to unlock the door.

Grayson eyed the key. “Noah, can I borrow your key for a sec?”

Noah didn’t turn the key right

away. He asked, “What do you want it for?”

Grayson replied, “I want to get a copy made.”

“No way,” Noah said.

“Why not?” Grayson asked.

“You’re not family, so why should you get a key to our place?” Noah retorted.

“I will be, just wait,” Grayson said with a confident grin.

“Ask me again when you are,” Noah replied.

‘Man, this kid’s tough to trick,’ Grayson thought.

Noah unlocked the door and walked inside.

Eloise came out carrying a plate of chicken and noticed Noah’s shirt was drenched in sweat. “Go take a shower before you catch a cold,” she said.

Noah obediently headed to the bathroom.

Grayson walked in and closed the door. He was a little put out that Eloise was totally ignoring him. She was all about Noah and didn’t even spare him a word.

Eloise headed into the kitchen, and he followed right behind her

The kitchen was tiny, and with Grayson’s tall build, it felt cramped. Eloise turned around and bumped right into him.

Her soft body pressed against his, and Grayson felt a jolt run through him. His throat went dry, and a sudden heat flared up inside.

Eloise backed away in a flash, making sure to keep her distance. Her face was on fire, and she couldn’t meet Grayson’s eyes. She grabbed two plates and hurried out of the kitchen.

Grayson struggled to pull his gaze away from her, then carried the remaining dishes out.

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‘Damn, Eloise can really cook, Grayson thought, his mouth watering like crazy.

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Just then, his phone rang. He walked into the dining room, set the plates down, and pulled out his phone to answer.

Camille’s voice came through. “Grayson, I’m outside your place. bought groceries to cook for you. Come open the door.”

Grayson frowned, sounding a bit impatient. “I’m not home.”

Camille sounded super disappointed. “When are you coming back?” she pressed.

“It’s gonna be late,” Grayson replied.

“Then I’ll wait for you,” Camille insisted.

“No need. I’m having dinner at my girlfriend’s place,” Grayson said.

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