He nodded. “Although I think Sara helped Chase lighten up some, which has made him more bearable to be around.” He held up a hand before I could speak. “And I know you all would say the same about Grace’s impact on me.”
I nodded. “That’s what I was going to say. That means his plan is working, you know.”
“Alex’s plan. I’m not going to tell him that though, are you?”
“No.” Sadness swept through me again that my chance to have what Chase and Hunter had was gone.
“You know, maybe you and Beth…” Hunter let the thought trail off.
I shook my head. “I think that ship has sailed.”
“You’re not interested.”
I swallowed the pain. “I’ve never forgotten her, Hunter. But she’s clear that she’s not interested in me.”
“Change her mind.”
I laughed. “How? I’m bending over backward to be nice to her, to help her. I told her what happened six years ago. I’ve been pretty clear.”
“A grand gesture. I think women like that.”
“Grand gesture? Like what?”
He shrugged. “Put a bow on the townhome when you give it to her. You are giving it to her, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “What was your grand gesture to Grace?”
He gave me a coy smile. “We were in bed when I proposed. And yes, it was a grand gesture.”
I closed my eyes. “TMI, bro.”
He laughed. “I also showed up to try and help at her hearing, although I may have made it worse. I also fixed up the office we started my therapy sessions in.”
“It feels like buying her and considering her financial situation, that might not go over well.”
He thought about that for a moment. “So, a small gesture. How about you tell her how you feel.”
“I have.”
“Have you? Have you said, ‘I love you, Beth.’”
“Not in those words.”
He shrugged and then stood. “Maybe you should.”
I had to consider his advice. It was a risk to my heart, but my choice was to say something and hope she’d respond or to not say anything and pine for her forever.
Hunter and I finally got to the business of the security systems and surveillance of our properties. When he left, I sat back in my chair, considering the possibilities of how to deal with Beth, as well as Ben.
16
Beth – Friday
The evening was quiet. Ben was out doing whatever he did. Morgan was visiting, and she and I were coloring in the kitchen with Hannah. My daughter had a lovely sense of color that made me wonder if she’d be an artist someday. I hoped that one day I’d have the money to let her indulge in her passions, whatever they may be.
“What are you going to do about Ash?” Morgan asked, taking a brown crayon and coloring in a dog.
“Who’s Ash?” Hannah asked.
“Just an old friend,” I said giving Morgan a look. “And there’s nothing to do. I doubt I’ll see him again now that our business is done.”
“From what you said, it doesn’t seem like he’s interested in walking away,” Morgan responded, clearly not taking the hint that I didn’t want Hannah to overhear this.
“He did once before.”
Morgan rolled her eyes. “It seems like he regrets that decision.”
I sighed. “Morgan, I appreciate you’re wanting to see us all happy, but fairytales are just in children’s books.”
“I like fairytales,” Hannah said.
“I do too honey,” I said looking at Hannah. Then turning back to Morgan, I said, “But they’re not real. There’s no happy ending in the works for me and Ash.”
“Is he a prince?” Hannah asked.
“He’s as rich as one,” Morgan quipped.
“He has to be nice. Is he nice?” Hannah said.
I was glad when the doorbell rang to interrupt this conversation. Since we had no staff, answering my own door was another task I had and I was grateful for the respite.
“I can’t imagine who that is. I’m not expecting anyone. I’ll be right back.” I left the kitchen and made my way up the long hall to the foyer and front door. I opened the door and gasped. “Ash.” I wondered how he knew where we were living.
“Can I come in? I want to talk to Ben.”
Not here to see me. I was an idiot. “Ben’s not in.”
He stared at me for a moment like I was a puzzle he couldn’t figure out. “I’d like to talk to you as well.” He nodded toward the foyer. “Can I come in?”
Panic hit me hard. Hannah was inside. I couldn’t let him know about her. “Now isn’t a good time.”
“Please. It’s important.”
Thinking fast, I pulled my purse from the hook by the door, and stepped outside, closing the door behind me. “There’s a place on the corner where we can get a drink.”
He nodded, and I was glad he didn’t insist on coming inside. I pulled my phone from my purse as we headed up the sidewalk and texted Morgan.