Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Hannah asked, “So everything that went down between you two was five years ago?”

Grayson nodded.

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Hannah glared at him, instantly deflated. She’d been so sure they were about to become a couple. Now, that hope fizzled.

“Did you talk to Eloise about getting back together?” Hannah asked.

“I did. She turned me down,” Grayson replied.

“Why? Wasn’t it because you didn’t have money back then that she broke up with you? Now that she knows your real identity, she should want to get back together,” Hannah said.

Grayson had also figured that as soon as he brought it up, Eloise would jump at the chance and say yes without a second thought. But he’d been wrong. Eloise didn’t want to get back together.

Grayson had thought Eloise was just playing hard to get, pretending not to be interested. Only later did he realize the truth that she genuinely didn’t want him anymore.

Seeing Grayson so heartbroken over Eloise, Hannah tried to help him make sense of it. “Did you say something, or do something that hurt her?”

Hannah didn’t see Eloise as someone after money or status. ‘Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding,’ she thought. ‘Even if she did want to marry rich men, so what? The Pierces have more than enough.’

Truth be told, Hannah was really fond of Eloise and totally saw her as the perfect match for Grayson. So, she still wanted to set them up and make those two a couple.

Grayson paused. ‘The first time I saw Eloise again, I did say some pretty harsh things, he thought.

He remembered that night at The Mayfair Kitchen. Eloise was genuinely happy to see him, and looked like she wanted to say something, but he hit her with a sarcastic remark. After that, he didn’t say anything else.

‘Did I really hurt Eloise with those words?’ Grayson wondered.

Hannah could tell from Grayson’s face that he’d definitely said something that hurt Eloise. She punched him on the arm. “You’re always running your mouth.”

Grayson sighed inwardly. Only his grandma dared talk to him like that.

“Make sure you go apologize to her later,” Hannah told him.

Grayson scratched his nose, feeling a little awkward. His pride wasn’t exactly on board.

Hannah didn’t hesitate. She grabbed his ear and tugged hard. “Did you hear me?”

Grayson was speechless. Finn walked in just in time to catch the whole scene, and he was totally stunned,

Grayson quickly pulled his ear free from Hannah’s grip. “Granda, can you at least let me keep my reputation?”

“Is that more important than Eloise?” Hannah shot back.

“Both are important, Grayson replied.

Hannah shot Finn a look. She couldn’t really chew Grayson out front of Grayson’s employee, so she huffed and left.

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16:21 Wed, Apr 8 MO

Chapter 50

Finn gulped. “Mr. Pierce, this document needs your signature.”

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Grayson sat back down, skimmed it, and signed. Finn noticed right away that Grayson’s ear was still red from that tug.

‘Dang, Hannah sure doesn’t mess around,’ Finn thought. ‘Who would’ve guessed that the ruthless, bossy Mr. Pierce actually gets his ear yanked and scolded like a kid by his own grandmother?’

“Why are you still here?” Grayson said, a little impatient..

“I’m leaving,” Finn hurried out, barely holding in his laughter.

*****

After work, Eloise picked Noah up from preschool and handed him one of the cakes Hannah had given her. “Have a little something to tide you over. I’ll cook dinner when we get home.”

Noah shook his head. “I don’t want it.”

Eloise didn’t push. Noah had never liked sweets anyway. Most kids begged for candy, and parents had to come up with excuses to say no. She’d never had that problem.

“Noah, did you have fun at school today?” Eloise asked.

“It was nothing special,” Noah replied.

Eloise could only sigh. “Honey, you should try to be a little more childish. That’s how you make friends,” she said.

Noah shook his head. “I just can’t, Mom. It feels kinda dumb.”

Eloise looked at Noah, not even sure how to respond.

Grayson didn’t come over to mooch dinner tonight. Eloise only made dinner for herself and Noah.

After dinner, Eloise gave Juliette a call. “Hey Juliette, turns out I don’t have to quit after all,” she said.

“Really? Are you serious?” Juliette replied.

“Mr. Hayes was just joking around. He doesn’t actually have feelings for me. It was all just for fun. So I don’t need to quit,” Eloise said.

Juliette went quiet for a moment, then said, “Honestly, if Beckett weren’t your boss, I’d tell you to slap him. That’s not funny.”

realized he was just messing around, I was honestly over the moon. I really didn’t

“Juliette, I’m really not that mad. Once

want to quit,” Eloise said.

I

“Whatever. Making money comes first,” Juliette said.

“Juliette, how are you settling into your new job?” Eloise asked.

“It’s been great. Mr. Robert Morley is really nice and treats his ten really well,” Juliette replied.

“Good, as long as you don’t run into any nightmare bosses,” Eloise said with a laugh.

After chatting for a bit, Eloise hung up, washed the dishes, and headed downstairs to toss the trash.

When she got home, Noah had already had his bath, so she played with him for a while. After Noah went to bed, Eloise went to take her own shower.

*****

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Chapter 50

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The next day at work, a call came from Cyrus’s secretary, asking Eloise to clear Beckett’s evening for a dinner with the Jenkins heiress and to reserve a table.

Eloise hung up, pretty surprised. “This is totally a dinner to set them up, she thought.

She walked into Beckett’s office. “Mr. Hayes, your father scheduled a dinner for you with Ms. Jenkins. Do you have any preferences for the restaurant? I’ll get it booked right away.”

Beckett paused, looking visibly annoyed. “Just do whatever you think is best.”

“Okay,” Eloise said and left Beckett’s office.

Back at her desk, Eloise started searching online for restaurants that would be good for a date. She picked one she liked and called to book a table.

“Mr. Hayes, I got the reservation for six o’clock tonight. I’ll text you the address in a bit,” Eloise said.

After Beckett replied with a simple “Okay,” Eloise left the office.

Before she left work, Eloise got a text from Grayson.

Grayson: [Let’s have dinner tonight. I’m heading out now to pick up Noah.]

Grayson knew Noah went to the preschool just down the street from Eloise’s place.

Eloise sighed. [No, thanks. Noah and I will just eat at home.]

Grayson called Eloise right away. “Eloise, I’m driving, so I can’t text. Can you call his teacher and let her know I’ll be picking him up?”

Eloise hesitated, then agreed. She figured Noah would be happy to go out and eat with Grayson. After all, whenever Noah saw Grayson, his eyes would sparkle.

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