The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(29)

“Yes, Sir.”

“Don’t be a little shit.”

She chuckles. “I’ll let you get back to work. I need to sleep anyway, I’m not used to the time difference yet, and I’m whacked. It’s still light out now.”

“Yeah, it’ll probably take some time.”

“Promise you’ll quit it before it gets too late? It must be past midnight there.”

“I promise. I’ll call tomorrow, okay?”

“I’ll hold you to it. Good night, Montgomery.”

“Night, Morgan.”





9





Lucy





It’s just after six the next evening when I call Elliot. I’ve spoken to my mum and dad and all the girls in a group call, and now it’s time to soak in the bath while I try to figure out what’s up with Elliot Montgomery. He’s always so easygoing, happy in his world of fuckery and never lets a thing get to him.

He sounded stressed last night on the phone, and when I spoke to the girls, they said he was abnormally quiet at dinner. I didn’t believe them. It’s Elliot. He’s the loudest man in the room with something filthy or smart to say at all times.

When I messaged him this afternoon and told him I’d call tonight, and he agreed, I was relieved. For a minute, I worried what happened between us at the restaurant might have been playing on his mind. We both agreed to brush it under the carpet, and it’s what I want. I can’t deny that I have some kind of feelings for Elliot. We’ve always had that attraction. But then he touched me, and it made me feel like maybe he felt something more for me—and insanely good.

Walking in on Harriet in his office seemed to squash that thought pretty quickly, which leaves me wondering why my friends would label him as a “a little lost puppy” at dinner.

“Hey, pretty girl.”

I grin into the phone as the call connects, and Elliot fills the screen.

He’s in bed.

“Hey!”

“You okay?” he asks, sitting up and positioning himself so I can see him better.

“I’m good. Tired today and haven’t done too much. Someone from Almendo emailed me some documents to help me prepare for Monday. Learning the schedule and planning for the week kinda thing. It’s made my day fly by.”

“Do you feel ready for Monday?”

“No. I’m crapping it, to be honest. Bear with me; my bath is ready.”

I place the phone face down on the cabinet so he can’t see me, then I pull off my robe and slide into the warmth of the claw-foot tub.

“Lucy Mae Morgan, are you stripping on our first FaceDate.”

“Shut it.” I chuckle, grabbing up my phone. “You can’t see a thing.”

“My eyes can’t, no. But my mind….”

“Did you say FaceDate just now?” I question, smiling.

“I did.” He matches my smile with an even wider one. “I’m already excited for the next one. I’m hoping to get to second base.”

“Second! What was first?” I laugh out loud, and the water sloshes.

He watches me with a warm look in his eyes. “That smile,” he says as his teeth flash.

I don’t know what I was so worried about before.

It’s Elliot.

My eyes follow my hand as it dances through the water, collecting up the bubbles. “Nina said you were quiet last night. Is everything okay?”

He runs his hand through his hair and looks back at me with a hardened stare.

“What?” I question.

“Don’t let them fill your head with their bullshit, Luce. Lowell tried it with me last night.”

“They only care, Elliot,” I defend. “So you’re okay?”

“It was weird having dinner with you and Lance missing, that’s all.”

“It’s been odd without Lance for the past couple years. I can’t imagine being there without one of the girls too.”

“Exactly,” he agrees, swallowing and darting his eyes around the screen.

I watch him, sensing he has something on his mind. “Did you go out today? I know Dad was watching the game.”

“I caught some of it. Was at the gym with Lowell and Charles this morning.” He licks his bottom lip and stares at me, and I know he wants to tell me something.

He can’t keep secrets for shit.

“What is it?” I snap. “Whatever’s on your mind, out with it.”

“I don’t want to upset you, but I don’t want to lie to you.”

My heart sinks. “Right…”

He runs his hand through his hair as my mind races with the possibilities. Is something wrong with Ellis, Ave, one of the girls? Surely Mum or Nina would have said. He wouldn’t lie about something like that, though. Is it about what happened in the restaurant? It has to be. Shit.

He’s caught me completely off guard.

“Last night when you called, I had someone here. Or she’d just left, actually, but I felt shitty for it. I lied on the spot for no reason and then couldn’t sleep a wink knowing what I did.”

“Oh.” An ache forms in my throat, and I try to swallow it down. “I didn’t catch on, sorry. You should have said. I would’ve called back.”