Chapter 21: I Want to Believe

Brennan and I were still wrapped up in each other. I watched him sleep, wishing I could stop time. His eyes fluttered open and met mine.

“Morning. Last day before my folks get here,” he murmured. “I’m thinking about taking the day off.”

I frowned. Brennan was already planning to take Friday off to pick up his parents from the airport, and he’d missed Monday.

“Really? I thought you’d be itching to get back to work after a short week?”

Brennan laughed. “I didn’t have much on the agenda this week. Once I knew my parents were coming, I cleared my schedule.”

“And what do you plan to do with all this free time?”

Brennan’s arms tightened around me, pulling me closer, and he kissed me. “The right question is ‘~who~ do you plan to do,’” he teased.

“Is that so?” I murmured.

“Yeah, it is.”

We retreated to his room and spent the day in bed. For a few hours, our casual sex-friend relationship felt like something more. We only paused for breath and food.

Around 10 p.m., exhaustion started to set in. I fell asleep in Brennan’s arms and woke up to find him gone. There was a note on the pillow.

~Gone to pick up Mom and Dad, didn’t want to wake you. Back around 10 a.m. —Brennan.~

I smiled and rolled over, checking the time on my phone. It was 9 a.m. I got out of bed and wandered into Brennan’s closet. Instead of reaching for my own clothes, I pulled on a pair of his sweatpants and a t-shirt.

I stepped out into the hallway and heard footsteps. My stomach dropped and I tiptoed into the dining area.

A middle-aged woman was by the washer and dryer. She turned and looked at me.

“You must be Grace. Mr. Wolf said you might wake up while I was here. I’ve made up the guest bed for Mr. Wolf’s parents. I’m just about finished. Nice to meet you.”

“Uh, thank you…?”

“Jean.”

“Thank you, Jean.”

I turned and walked into the guest room. My suitcase and the shoebox were still there. I picked up the box and grabbed the handle of my suitcase.

I crossed to Brennan’s room and put the shoe box back where I’d found it, then unpacked my suitcase into the closet. I stashed the suitcase at the back of the closet and grabbed a pair of the jeans I’d bought and a white blouse.

After showering and dressing, I heard the front door as I was walking out of the bathroom back into Brennan’s room. Brennan walked into his bedroom and smiled at me, then took my hand.

“My parents are here,” he whispered.

“Guess we’d better put on a good show.”

Brennan tugged on my hand until I was pressed against him. His lips met mine. I put my hand on his chest and gently pushed back.

“Not that kind of show.” I laughed.

Brennan smiled, then we walked out of the room and into the dining area where Brennan’s parents were standing, hands on their suitcases, looking around the room with wide eyes.

I could tell they’d really thought Brennan was struggling. That his business wasn’t as successful as it was.

“You own this?” Brennan’s father asked.

“Yes, Dad. I have for the last two years. I also own a house out in the country. I guess I missed the quiet living. I don’t get out there much.”

I tried not to show my surprise. I hadn’t known about Brennan’s house. Why would I? I wasn’t really his fiancée. Just his ex-PA and current bed buddy.

“Let me show you to the guest room,” Brennan said.

Jaq walked up to me and hugged me. “It’s so nice to see you again.”

“You too.”

We walked into the guest room and Brennan’s parents put their suitcases in the closet.

“Well, Brennan, show us the rest!” Sam exclaimed with a smile.

Brennan took my hand, surprising me but not obviously so. We walked through the rest of the apartment, Brennan doing most of the talking.

“I ordered lunch, it should be here soon,” Brennan said as we all walked back into the dining room. “Are you hungry, babe?”

The way ‘babe’ rolled off his tongue did something funny to my insides. We hadn’t used terms of endearment before. I hated that I liked it so much.

I nodded and then pulled my hand from Brennan’s. “I’ll be right back. I uh, need to use the bathroom.”

I walked through the apartment, slipping into Brennan’s room and down to the bathroom. I closed the door and stood over the vanity.

Pretending to be Brennan’s fiancée was easier when we hadn’t crossed the line. I splashed my face with water and then shook my head.

I had to get it together. In a few days I’d be leaving, and all of this craziness would be a thing of the past.

I patted my face dry and then opened the door. Brennan was on the other side, I almost jumped back but he caught me.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his brown eyes focused on me, and it left me breathless. I just nodded in response, unable to say anything of value without completely butchering it.

“Lunch is here,” he whispered, pulling me close. He wrapped his arms around me. “Grace, if this is too much, I can tell them you’re not feeling well and book them a hotel.”

The thought of Brennan kicking his family out for me was too much. My head shot up.

“No,” I whispered.

“I don’t want you to be uncomfortable and I can tell you are,” he said softly.

“We did this once before. I can do it again,” I whispered.

“Okay,” Brennan said, kissing me on the forehead. “Let’s go.”

Brennan led the way out of his room and we made our way to the dining room table. Jaq was already there, unpacking the Chinese food Brennan had ordered and serving some to Sam.

“You okay?” she asked, glancing up at me.

“Yeah. Just a little dizzy.” I gave her a reassuring smile and took a seat.

Jaq shared a knowing look with Sam, then turned her gaze back to me and Brennan, biting her lip.

“When I was carrying Brennan, I was dizzy every day. Even before I knew I was pregnant.”

I nearly choked on my own tongue, my eyes going wide as I looked at Brennan. He laughed and placed a hand on his mother’s shoulder.

“Grace isn’t pregnant, Mom.”

“We’ll see,” she said, a twinkle in her eye. “Now, have you two set a date?”

I hadn’t been ready for the questions, even though I knew they were coming. I shook my head, glancing at Brennan who was doing the same.

“Not yet, Mom. Work’s been crazy,” Brennan replied.

“Well, don’t wait too long.” She grinned, placing her hand over mine. “Anyway, I have a tradition I’ve done for both Kate and Jade. I’d love to do the same for you.”

I smiled, though I was a bit wary. I had no idea what this tradition was. Brennan picked up his coffee, took a sip, and cleared his throat.

“We can talk about that later, Mom,” he said.

“Talk about what?” I asked, finally finding my voice.

“I buy the wedding dress, dear. We go on a little shopping trip and pick it out together.”

I picked up my coffee, letting the warm cup rest against my lips for a moment.

If this were real, if we were really getting married, the fact that Brennan’s mom wanted to include me in her traditions would have meant everything. I couldn’t let her down.

“Of course,” I said. “That sounds wonderful.”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll go in the morning.”

I nodded and began to serve myself some of the Chinese food, even though I wasn’t really hungry.

I managed to eat a few bites before helping Brennan clean up. His parents headed up to the roof to use the hot tub.

“You don’t have to go dress shopping with my mom,” Brennan murmured, loading the plates into the dishwasher while I put the leftovers in the fridge.

“I know. But I wanted to say yes. I’ll never get to do that with my mom.” I stopped and closed the fridge door.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I willed them not to fall. I couldn’t break down again. I couldn’t keep leaning on Brennan for comfort because this wasn’t real.

But before I could stop the tears from falling, Brennan’s arms were around me. He turned me to face him and gently rested my head on his chest.

“I understand,” he murmured.

I pulled away and wiped my eyes. “I think I’ll call my dad.”

“Okay,” Brennan said.

I walked back to Brennan’s room and pulled out my phone. I dialed my dad’s number.

“Gracie!” he exclaimed when he picked up. “It’s good to hear from you.”

“Sorry, Dad. I’ve been busy. Getting the apartment sorted and figuring out what to do before I come back home,” I said softly. “I should be there next week. I’ll have my stuff sent after.”

There was a pause, and I knew what was coming next.

“Gracie. You and I both know that you’ve always wanted to live where you are.”

“It’s not that simple, Dad. Besides, it’s already sorted.”

“It’s never too late. I’m just a plane ride away,” he said softly. “Just think about it. I’m sure you can find another apartment or get your old one back.”

I laughed and shook my head. “This is New York, Dad. It’s not that simple. But I’ll think about it, okay?”

“I’m always here if you need to talk.”

“I know, Dad,” I whispered. “I just miss her so much. I thought coming home would make me feel closer to her.”

“I miss her too,” Dad said, his voice cracking a little. “But Gracie, she’s always with you, no matter where you are.”

I smiled and bit my lip. “You’re always right.”

“Gracie, I have to go. I’m heading out to the golf course with Joe. He just pulled in the driveway.”

“Okay, Dad. Have fun.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

I ended the call and set my phone on the bed.

When I returned to the living room, Brennan’s parents were there with Brennan. I walked over and sat down next to him.

“Mom and Dad are going for a walk,” Brennan said. “I told them the view isn’t as nice as the estate, but they want to go anyway.”

I smiled and shrugged. “There’s a certain beauty to the city streets. There’s a bar two blocks down that serves the best coffee I’ve ever had. I know it sounds weird, going to a bar for coffee, but trust me.”

I smiled to myself. I only knew about the coffee shop because it was where I’d run from the date Belle had set up for me.

Jaq and Sam looked at each other and then smiled. “Well, I’m not one to turn down good coffee,” Sam said, standing up. “Shall we, love?”

Jaq nodded and got to her feet. Brennan walked them to the door and handed them his key.

“Call if you get lost.” He grinned as they walked out the door. Brennan closed the door behind them and then walked back into the living room.

“Your dad doing okay?” Brennan asked, sliding back next to me. His arm snaked around my shoulders, pulling me closer.

But instead of comfort, I felt suffocated by our proximity. I didn’t understand why. I tensed up, leaning forward to put some distance between us.

“Grace?” Brennan’s voice was laced with concern. His hand traced a path up my back, sending a shiver down my spine and a knot in my stomach.

I got up, my legs shaky, and made my way to the kitchen. I reached for a glass in the cupboard, my hand trembling. I filled it with water from the tap, but it slipped from my grasp, shattering into pieces in the sink.