Take a Chance (Chance, #1; Rosemary Beach #7)(63)

That kind of love wasn’t a fantasy. It was real.

“I want the fantasy. I want him to love me the way Rush loves you.”

Blaire leaned into me and bumped my shoulder with hers. “He’s headed that way if he isn’t there already. You’ve gotten under his skin.”

“He hasn’t told me he loves me,” I told her.

“He will,” she replied. “When he’s brave enough, he’ll tell you.”

I tried to believe that. I wanted to believe that.

“All my life I’ve seen my dad screw around with women and throw them aside as if they meant nothing. I worried that love wasn’t real, or if it was that I didn’t have the right genetic makeup to love like you love Rush. I had never been in love. I was so guarded. I worried that I wouldn’t love because my father couldn’t love. Then . . . then I saw him with . . .” I stopped. I didn’t know if I wanted to share this with Blaire. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ever share what I had seen. “He loves my mom. Even though she can’t speak or move, he wants to be near her. He brushes her hair.” That fact still baffled me. I had never known he could be that way.

“My guess is that you’re just like your mother. She inspired that kind of love and devotion from a rock star who could have anyone he wanted. It’s a special gift, and you need to learn to trust that you’re worthy of that love. Give Grant time. He’s just now figuring things out, and I believe he’s worth waiting for.”

I nodded. She was right. He was worth it. I had to stop doubting him. Twice in one night. Another trait I had that I hated. I was insecure. Painfully so. It was time I overcame that. I didn’t know if I had a long life with Grant or not. But I wanted him. I wanted this to be my life. When it was over, I wanted to know I had this.

It was time I told him my secret. He deserved to know.

?

Three hours later, my phone rang as I sat curled up on the Finlays’ sofa. Blaire had gone upstairs earlier when Nate had started crying. She said he was used to Rush rocking him to sleep, so she had to give him extra attention.

“Hello,” I said, knowing it was Grant.

“Hey, you still at Rush’s?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Good. I have to get Nan inside and make sure she gets into bed. Doctor says she needs to be woken up every hour. She’s got a pretty bad concussion. I’ll come get you as soon as she’s in bed.”

I wasn’t going to dwell on the fact he was putting her to bed. I was stronger than that. “Okay,” I replied.

“Harlow?” he said, the concern in his voice obvious.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry about all this. Please know it changes nothing. She’s just Rush’s little sister. Okay?”

“I know.”

Grant let out a frustrated sigh. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. I swear.”

“I’m fine. Take your time,” I assured him before hanging up.

The front door opened and Rush came walking in. He walked past the open doorway to the living room then stopped, backtracked, and looked at me. “Hey, you’re still here,” he said.

“Yeah. Grant just called.”

“I needed his help tonight. That’s the only reason he did this.”

“I know,” I said, even if I didn’t completely get it.

“He wanted to come back to you,” Rush told me.

“It’s okay, Rush. I’m not upset,” I assured him.

He looked relieved. “Nate asleep?” he asked.

“He was crying and Blaire went up to rock him.”

“He wants me. It’s our time. Tell Grant I said thanks,” he told me.

“I will.”

Grant

Harlow came walking outside when I pulled into the driveway. She was still wearing that dress, but her heels were dangling from her fingers. I’d had plans for that dress, and especially those heels. Even if she hadn’t meant to, Nan had ruined the evening.

I jumped out of the truck and walked around to open her door as she reached me.

She smiled up at me sweetly. The tired look in her eyes made me want to tuck her close to me and hold her.

“Hey,” I said, taking both her hands and putting them around my neck.

“Hey,” she replied, resting both her hands on my shoulders.

“I missed you,” I told her, lowering my head until I could press my lips to hers. She opened easily for me, and I dove in, tasting her and reminding myself that she was mine. She trusted me.

“I missed you, too,” she whispered against my lips.

“You’re not mad at me?” I asked, needing reassurance.

“No,” she said simply.

“It’s time I get you tucked into bed, too. Except I want you nak*d and wrapped around me,” I told her, and picked her up to set her in my truck. “And I want you to wear those heels for me.”

She scrunched her nose. “To sleep in?”

“No, I want you in those heels while I bury myself inside you,” I informed her.

Both her cheeks flamed red as she flushed and nodded.

That was my girl. She wasn’t hurt or mad. I had never been so f**king relieved.

I patted the seat beside me in the truck and Harlow slid over. She leaned against me and let me hold her close. Having her here made everything easier. I pressed a kiss to her head. “Thank you,” I said.