Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

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Eloise couldn’t be bothered to figure out how Grayson knew. She just shrugged and said, “Mr. Hayes was just joking around. He doesn’t like me. He was just teasing me.”

Grayson snorted. He couldn’t believe how clueless Eloise was. “Eloise, your brain works in mysterious ways. Seriously, can’t you see Beckett’s into you?” he said.

Eloise was stunned for a moment, ready to protest.

But Grayson cut her off. “He told Cyrus he wanted to marry you, but Cyrus shot him down and tried to set him up with someone else.”

Eloise froze. It was not like she hadn’t suspected Beckett before. The day he confessed, his eyes were different, like he really meant what he said.

But she was desperate for this job, so when Beckett brushed it off as a joke, she forced herself to believe him.

“Why are you even telling me this, Grayson?” Eloise finally asked.

‘Wouldn’t it be better if I just played dumb?’ Eloise thought. ‘Some things, I really don’t need to know.

Grayson’s expression grew colder with anger. “Eloise, what do you mean by that? Are you seriously planning to keep playing dumb and stay by Beckett’s side? What’s so great about this job anyway?”

Eloise’s voice was barely above a whisper. “This job has supported me and Noah.”

Grayson scoffed. “You really think there aren’t other jobs out there? Just quit and come work at VirtuFusion Group. Take your pick. Any position you want is yours.”

“You wouldn’t understand, Grayson,” Eloise said quietly.

“I really don’t get it. I don’t get what you’re so hung up on,” Grayson shot back. “Am I invisible to you? I can take care of you and Noah.”

Eloise looked up at him. “Grayson, don’t just say things like that.”

She was not with Grayson now, so there was no way she’d depend on him. Even if they did end up together, she’d never let herself be taken care of by him.

She held that relying on anyone else was an unacceptable gamble, and that only counting on herself guaranteed safety.

Grayson locked eyes with her, his gaze intense. “Eloise, I’m serious.”

Eloise looked away, dodging his gaze. She knew Grayson had the means. He was loaded with cash, running VirtuFusion Group and a bunch of other family businesses. But none of that had anything to do with her.

She didn’t believe his promise would last. Grayson was promising to look after her now. But if she really let herself get used to depending on him, and he kicked her to the curb one day, she’d be totally helpless.

18:11 Thu, Apr 9

Chapter 57

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Even her own mother hadn’t wanted her as a child, so she could expect nothing from anyone else.

He’d be generous while he cared, but once those feelings were gone, she’d be on her own. She wasn’t about to bet her whole life on someone else. Some things were just meant to be heard, not taken to heart.

“Grayson, I’ll make my own decisions about my life. It’s getting late. You should go home,” Eloise said. She walked past him and headed into the building.

Grayson looked absolutely furious. He figured that once he made Beckett’s feelings clear, Eloise would just quit. But he never thought she’d actually want to stick around Beckett after all that.

Eloise walked into the elevator and hit the button for her floor.

Grayson stood there, not moving for ages before he finally walked away.

*****

Grayson sat alone in a private room at Pinecrest Club, nursing his drink and brooding in silence.

Rhys nudged Colton. “What’s up with Grayson?”

Colton took a sip of his drink. “Isn’t it obvious? The guy’s totally lovesick.”

Rhys rolled his eyes. “I really don’t get it. What’s so special about Eloise?”

“Keep it down, man. If he hears you, he’ll mess you up,” Colton warned.

Rhys sulked, but didn’t dare say another bad word about Eloise. She was Grayson’s favorite. She might not be a saint, but no one would dare badmouth her.

Rhys whispered, “Heard Camille’s back and working at VirtuFusion Group. She’s not as pretty as Eloise, but she’s a good person, and she even saved Grayson once. Wish he’d go for her instead.”

Colton just shook his head. “Come on, man, love’s never that simple.”

Rhys leaned in. “Camille’s into Grayson. Should we try to play cupid and get them together?”

Colton shot him a warning look. “Dude, don’t even think about it. If Grayson finds out, you’re asking for trouble. He’s not into Camille, and he absolutely hates it when anyone tries to mess with his personal life.”

“No way I’d risk it. If only Hannah could step in and play matchmaker,” Rhys said under his breath. “I’ll just talk to Hannah about it next time.”

Colton repeated himself, “Rhys, don’t get involved. Grayson will get mad if he finds out.”

Rhys kept quiet, but he’d already made up his mind.

Even though Grayson was feeling restless, he made sure not to drink too much. He didn’t stay long at Pinecrest Club before heading home.

*****

18:11 Thu, Apr 9

Chapter 57

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When Grayson woke up the next morning, he stared in shock at the dozens of missed calls. Most of them were from his father.

He suddenly remembered taking Eloise out to lunch at Galen’s restaurant yesterday, and Galen had snapped a pic and posted it in the family group chat.

Now, the group chat was blowing up with even more messages. Strangely, Hannah hadn’t chimed in at all. Usually, if anything happened in the family group chat, Hannah was always the most talkative.

Just as Grayson was about to get up, his phone rang again. It was his father. He picked up with a sigh. “Dad.”

Leo demanded, “Why didn’t you answer any of my calls?”

“I was busy,” Grayson replied.

“You’re telling me you were so busy you couldn’t even answer the phone?” Leo pressed.

“Nope,” Grayson replied.

“What’s going on with that girl you were with yesterday?” Leo asked.

Grayson rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. “She’s the one who saved Grandma,” he said.

“So she’s the one,” Leo said. She’d saved Hannah, so the Pierce family considered her a true benefactor. Leo was pleased that such a warm-hearted girl was his son’s girlfriend.

“Grayson, you’ve got good taste. Family background isn’t important to us. We don’t need to arrange your marriage for business reasons.

“What matters most is that the woman you choose has good character. It’s the weekend, and we’re all home. Bring your girlfriend over to Pierce Manor for dinner,” Leo said.

Grayson would have liked to, but he knew Eloise wouldn’t agree to it. Besides, Eloise wasn’t even his girlfriend. But he didn’t feel like explaining any of that to his father. “We’ll see,” he said.

“Stop stalling, just bring her over so I can meet her,”. Leo pressed.

“It’s not the right time yet,” Grayson replied.

Leo didn’t push it. “Alright, we’ll talk about it later.”

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