“This isn’t necessary Grady.” Her tone was wary, as if she expected me to put her in my room. In my bed.
I bypassed by room and took her to the guest room I set up for her. “Everything you need should be here, if it’s not you know where to find me.” Not that I was holding my breath. Margot would rather die than admit she needed me for anything.
“Grady this is…too much.” She shook her head as she looked around the room in awe. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything,” I told her because there was nothing to say and I didn’t want her damned gratitude.
“Listen Grady, I owe you an apology. Probably several if we’re being honest-,.”
I shook my head. “Just relax Margot. Take it easy and dinner will be ready soon.” I left her room without another word and marched down the hall to my room for a quick shower before I made my way downstairs where Mama had already started on dinner. “You don’t need to do that.”
Mama turned to me with a sly smile. “I don’t need to but I figured you could use the help.”
“Thanks,” I grunted and gathered more ingredients to season the beef.
Mama sighed and leaned against the counter beside me. “Take it easy on her, son.”
“I am,” I insisted. “I am giving her exactly what she wants by helping make her life easier without imposing my low class presence on her.” I thought things were changing between us but they weren’t. “Things aren’t going to change and I’m learning to accept that Mama. You should too.”
She let out a snorting laugh and shook her head. “Bullshit. You’re scared of what you feel for her and you’re running scared.”
“Of course I care,” I growled. “But that hasn’t gotten me anywhere good. She nearly killed herself because she thinks I’m such a piece of shit that I would humiliate her in front of the whole damn town, so yeah I’m done. She got her wish. I will take care of her and my babies but with a healthy distance between us.”
Mama stared at me for a long time as if she was looking at a stranger. Her eyes studied me carefully and she sighed again. “You could try talking to her instead of falling into bed every chance you get.”
I shook my head. “It won’t work. I’ve tried to talk to her but she doesn’t want me to know her, not the real here anyway. I’ve gotten glimpses of her but I’m not the man she wants so I’m not privy to that part of her. I’m not the man she pictured for her happy ending and she refuses to see an alternate ending so this is where we are Mama. Exactly nowhere.” With those words I turned my attention back to dinner and lost myself in the details of caramelizing carrots, smashing potatoes and chopping herbs. Worrying about food was better and more productive than worrying about a woman who would rather cut off her nose just to spite her face instead of admitting there was something between us.
Because there isn’t.
There was nothing between us other than a few really hot nights and a lifetime of parenting our twins together.
Eventually that would be enough.
Chapter 25
Margot
Things were so tense at Grady’s house that I felt as if I was constantly walking on eggshells. Not that it was necessary, of course, because other than taking care of my basic needs Grady behaved as if I didn’t exist. If not for Claire I would spend most days in complete and total silence since the last words Grady had said to me were about the current president, what year it was and my current location to make sure my concussion didn’t get any worse.
It didn’t.
And things between Grady and I haven’t improved and it’s all my fault. My own silly insecurities put me in this position and I had no choice but to deal with it. Like a grownup.
Which I was.
Mostly.
I jumped at the sound of a rapid knock on the door and quickly got to me feet. Even it was just a delivery driver, some interaction was better than none since Claire had gone to get more yarn with a promise to return with something delicious for lunch. I opened the door so quickly I almost fell backwards but caught myself in time as my brows dipped into a confused frown. “What are you ladies doing here?” Pippa, Lacey, Carlotta and Valona all stood in the doorstep with uncertain smiles and bags.
“We’re here to make sure you’re all right.”
My frown deepened. “All right? Why wouldn’t I be all right?” My lips trembled at the kind gesture from women I’d known all of my life but had never really made an effort to truly befriend except Carlotta and that was only because our business forced us together often.