Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

:

VPM

35 vouchers

Grayson stood next to Eloise, talking big. “Eloise, once I figure out how to cook, I’ll make meals for you and Noah. You won’t have to set foot in the kitchen ever again.

“Your face is way too pretty to get smudged with oil from cooking. Honestly, it breaks my heart just thinking about it.”

He couldn’t resist reaching for Eloise’s hand. “Eloise, your hands are way too soft and delicate for dishwater. From now on, let me handle the dishes,” he said.

Eloise turned her head and gave him a deadpan stare.

Grayson touched his face and blinked. “Am I looking extra handsome today? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Eloise was completely done. She turned away, refusing to acknowledge him.

Grayson’s smile faded, his eyes turning dark and unreadable. He was drowning in regret. But feeling guilty wasn’t going to fix anything. All he could do now was treat Eloise even better, make up for everything.

Eloise whipped up lunch for the two of them in just half an hour.

Grayson went all out with his over-the-top flattery, laying it on thick.

Eloise was caught off guard by his antics, almost bursting out laughing.

After lunch, Grayson jumped at the chance to do the dishes.

Eloise settled onto the couch, replying to messages.

Beckett saw the news online too. [Hey Eloise, you alright? Need any help?]

Eloise replied: [Thanks, Mr. Hayes, but I’m good. Just taking a little time off to be with Noah.]

Beckett: [Alright. If you need anything, just call me.]

Eloise: [Thanks.]

Grayson walked over with a plate of apple slices, catching a glimpse of her chat messages. He sounded a little jealous. “So, why are you still working there?”

Eloise grabbed the plate from his hands, forked a piece of apple, and popped it into her mouth. “Who said I was quitting? I’m not quitting,” she retorted.

Grayson plopped down next to her. “Eloise, Beckett’s totally into you and not in a good way. Hanging around him is risky, he’s a shameless flirt.”

Eloise couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Grayson, don’t you feel embarrassed gossiping behind someone’s back?” she teased.

12:43 Fri, Apr 10

Chapter 82

“Nope. I’m not wrong about him,” Grayson shot back.

Eloise didn’t even bother responding. “Shouldn’t you be heading home?” she said.

“No way. From now on, this is my home,” Grayson declared.

“Grayson, can you at least try to act like you have some dignity?” Eloise shot back.

“Never,” Grayson replied, totally shameless.

‘Honestly, if you’ve got no shame, you’re basically unstoppable, Eloise thought to herself.

VPN

(TE)

35 vouchers

Grayson slid closer, his hand sneaking around Eloise’s waist. “Eloise, just move in with me on Vernal Road. The place is huge, and you’ll save a ton on rent.”

Eloise pushed his hand away and shook her head. “Forget it. Saving on rent is nothing, but risking my body? That’s a whole different ball game.”

‘She’s making me sound like some kind of creep,’ Grayson thought, feeling a bit put out.

He pressed his lips together. “Look, I’ve got other apartments. Take your pick, move into whichever you want. That’s fair, isn’t it?”

Eloise took a bite of her apple and shook her head. “Nope. I just feel better in my own place.”

“I’ve got a villa on Clidale Road, just three kilometers from here. I can sign it over to you. You and Noah could move in. It’d be your own place, so you’d feel safer, right?” Grayson said.

Eloise refused. “Grayson, I’m not taking your house.”

Grayson’s expression turned stormy. “You left me back then because you wanted to marry someone with money. Now I’ve got everything you ever wanted in a guy, but you still don’t want anything I offer.

“Eloise, what is it that you really want? I honestly don’t get you. What do I have to do to be the guy you want?”

Eloise set the plate down on the coffee table and turned to look at him. “Grayson, that was then, this is now. People’s priorities change.”

Grayson frowned. “Deep down, you still care about me. That’s why you had Noah in the first place. Eloise, why are you making things so complicated?”

Eloise’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Yeah. And I’m ridiculously stubborn too. It’s been five years. Did your ever even think about coming back to me?”

Grayson was at a loss for words.

Eloise gave a bitter smile. “No, you didn’t. You were dying for me to disappear from your life, to never have to see me again.

“For five years, I’ve regretted breaking up with you, regretted how cold I was when I ended things. But you? You wish you’d never met me, never been with me at all.

12:43 Fri, Apr 10

Chapter 82

VPHA

35 vouchers

“Why do I have to take you back just because you suddenly want to get back together? Sure, you’re rolling in money. I’m supposed to be grateful you even notice me, right?

“Like I should be jumping for joy, throwing myself into your arms, and living the good life on your dime. But Grayson, I’m not interested.”

‘I just can’t get over it,’ Eloise thought, the pain still stuck in her heart.

Grayson shook his head. “Eloise, it’s not like that.” He wanted to say something, but any explanation just sounded empty. Bottom line, he knew he was the one who messed up.

Eloise said softly, “Grayson, you should go. The only thing between us now is that we’re Noah’s parents, nothing else.”

Grayson was hit hard by her words, left feeling utterly defeated and helpless.

Juliette walked out of the office and did a double take when she saw Grayson. She headed over. “Looking for me?”

Grayson nodded. “I want to know what’s been going on with Eloise these past five years.”

Juliette nodded. “You came to the right person. Nobody knows Eloise’s life better than I do. And honestly, you should know just how much of an asshole you’ve been these last few years.”

Inside the café, Grayson ordered Juliette a coffee. It looked like he was settling in for a real talk.

Juliette shot him a look. “You hiding your real identity back then was seriously messed up. If you hadn’t kept that secret, you two never would’ve broken up.”

Grayson’s eyes darkened. He regretted it too, but what was done was done.

“Why did Eloise really break up with me? Was it really just about the money?” Grayson asked, his voice low and uncertain.

Juliette scoffed, “Come on, you were with her for over a year. Don’t tell me you still don’t get what kind of person she is? I don’t know the exact reason she said that, but Eloise must’ve had her own reasons.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify