Devlin laughs, but I don’t share in her amusement. Grace doesn’t know about certain aspects of my life. Huffing, I march to the kitchen to feed Ember with Devlin hot on my heels.
Sharp as always, she gasps. “Wait, she doesn’t know who you are, does she?”
My teeth clamp together, and I ignore her question. “Did Grace say anything before she left?”
“Ah, Grace.” She places her empty glass on the counter. “No.”
“Did you say anything to her?”
“She didn’t give me a chance. She came downstairs, saw me, and ran out of here like the hounds of hell were on her heels.”
Crap. I can just imagine what Grace thought when she saw another woman waltz into my house. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I stifle a groan.
“She’s skittish, that one. Honestly, Rowan, she looks a little too young.”
Annoyed beyond politeness, I round on her. “Whatever business you’re here to discuss, spit it out and get going.”
All traces of amusement vanish from her expression. “Right. I reached out to the medical center and took care of everything. Now I know who this Grace is—you’re paying her medical bills. Things between you must be serious.”
I frown. Grace doesn’t know her medical bills are taken care of yet. Since she’s been so reluctant to accept my help, I figured I’d just do it and face her irritation later.
“I don’t pay you to make commentary on my personal life.” I pause. “And you could have just called to tell me you did your job.”
Devlin isn’t usually like this. She deals efficiently with all the legal and business affairs I just can’t be bothered with sometimes, and she’s never given me any reason to not trust her—but right now, I’m suspicious. If this is a ploy to get back into my bed, we’re going to have a problem.
I made the mistake of crossing the line with her seven years ago. I was an idiot who found an older woman appealing. Plus, I was dealing with a lot of emotional and life-changing stuff. We slept together twice, and I realized she was getting a little too interested in a serious relationship, so I ended things.
I kept her on as my lawyer because she assured me we could move on professionally without a problem, and we have... until now. I study her with narrowed eyes.
“What, I can’t check up on you?” she asks. “Your grandfather used to appreciate my social visits.”
I soften a little at the sad undertone. She misses him. I didn’t know him well enough to share the sentiment. “I’m not my grandfather. I don’t need checking on.” And family is the last thing I want to discuss, so I end the conversation. “If that’s all, I have things to do.”
Like call Grace and explain Devlin’s presence in my house.
“And please, don’t just stop by without notice again.”
Devlin studies me for a moment. Then she nods. “It won’t happen again.”
I think I glimpse a flash of anger in her eyes, but I’m already too focused on thinking about what I’m going to say to Grace to give it much thought. The sound of the front door opening and closing tells me Devlin is gone.
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I stare at it. “I don’t know how to deal with these things.” I’ve never had to. This is exactly the type of relationship drama I’ve been dodging my entire adult life. Still, I press send and wait.
She doesn’t answer. After two more tries without her picking up, I give up. Maybe it’s a sign that I should keep Grace at arm’s length.