Chapter Seventeen

Grace’s POV

Helena knocked once before pushing my bedroom door open like she owned the place.

Well, she did own the place with Hunter, but while I used this room, she couldn’t just walk in anytime she liked.

I turned from the mirror where I’d just finished brushing out my hair. “You know, usually people wait for an answer.”

She smiled sweetly, stepping inside. “Old habits die hard.”

I bit back the response I wanted to give her. “Well, while I use this room, please knock first.”

She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, perfectly poised. “Are you really going out with Max again tonight?”

I arched a brow. “Is that a problem?”

Her gaze skimmed over me, taking in my simple dress, minimal makeup, the effort I’d made to look nice but not too nice. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

God, she sounded like Hunter. I crossed my arms. “Why not?”

Her smile stayed in place. “You’re vulnerable right now, Grace. Max is... well, you know his reputation. Also, you could be pregnant with my child.”

“I think I can handle myself. This isn’t just about Hunter’s heir. I have a life outside of having a baby for you and Hunter.”

She tilted her head. “It’s very important that the baby you carry is Hunter’s, not Max’s, Grace. Remember that.”

There it was. The real reason.

I held her gaze, my tone cool. “It’s a date, Helena. Our second. What I do with Max is none of your business. Bu don’t worry you don’t have to worry abut cross contamination.”

“Max isn’t exactly uncomplicated, Grace. He will want things from you, things I’m not sure you are ready to give.”

“Like Hunter does from you?” I shot back before I could stop myself, remembering how demanding he was in my dream. Then the thought made me feel sick. Thinking of them together.

Helena’s smile faltered just slightly. Didn’t she like the fact I was fighting back? She pushed off the doorframe. “I just want what’s best for everyone.”

I nodded slowly. “Right. Of course you do.” The lying bitch. How can she tell me what to do when she couldn’t even stay faithful to one man?

She lingered for another second, then turned to leave. “Don’t be out too late.”

As soon as the door shut behind her, I let out a long breath.

Ten minutes later, Max’s sleek car pulled up out front. I grabbed my coat and headed down the stairs, my heart beating just a little too fast. I needed to get out of here. I didn’t look for Hunter or Helena to say goodbye.

He stood leaning against the car, all lazy charm and effortless confidence. “There she is.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Sorry if I kept you waiting.”

“Worth it.” He opened the door for me. “Hop in, gorgeous.”

The drive was filled with light chatter, Max effortlessly keeping the mood easy. He told me about his latest staff mishap at the office during a meeting.

“I swear,” he said as we pulled up to the restaurant, “you can’t find good people.”

“Hey,” I laughed. He looked at me with a grin.

Dinner was warm, lovely, and almost exactly what I needed.

Almost.

Because even as Max made me laugh, even as he leaned in and told me stories with those ridiculously animated expressions, something inside me stayed still. Unmoved. Like my heart had hit pause.

And I knew why.

It wasn’t Max’s fault. He was charming and funny and successful. But he wasn’t him.

Hunter.

I hated myself for thinking about it. For feeling it.

I kept trying to pretend I didn’t love a man who belonged to someone else. But it was impossible to ignore the ache in my chest every time I thought about the way he looked at me during that dream. It made me want things that would never be mine.

Max paid the bill without fanfare and offered me his arm as we walked back to the car. I hesitated, then slipped my hand through it.

He drove me home in silence for a few minutes before speaking.

“You’re quiet,” he said softly.

I stared out the window. “Just thinking.”

He glanced over at me. “Dangerous pastime.”

I smiled faintly. “Sometimes.”

He pulled up in front of the house and turned off the engine, but didn’t move.

I turned to him. “Max...”

He looked over, waiting.

“You’re incredible,” I said gently. “And you deserve someone who can give you everything you want. Everything you’re capable of giving. And I...” I exhaled. “I don’t think I’m her.”

He nodded slowly, not looking surprised.

“I figured,” he said. “Doesn’t make me like you less.”

I reached out and squeezed his hand. “I wish I could feel more.”

“One kiss.” Max leaned in and kissed me. Soft. Slow. Sweet. No pressure. Just a kiss.

And it was nice. The man was skilled, but it did nothing when my heart belonged to someone else.

When I pulled back, I smiled, a little sadly. He smiled too, like he already knew.

“I’ll call you,” he said, teasing.

I laughed. “No, you won’t have to.”

“I don’t. True. But we are friends, Grace, if nothing else. I want to be in your corner. I think you need a friend.”

“Okay. Thank you, Max, for being so understanding.”

I stepped out of the car, turned back to wave, and that’s when I saw it.

The faintest movement behind the curtains of Hunter’s office window. The unmistakable silhouette of him standing there. Watching.

My heart jumped. My breath caught.

Had he seen the kiss?

Not like it should matter to him who I kissed.

I went inside, closed the door behind me, and leaned against it.

Had Hunter watched me kiss another man?

And it made something twist deep inside my chest.

Because I wished it had been him. I looked towards the office door, seeing the light under the door. I didn’t stick around for him to come out.

Upstairs, I changed out of my dress, showered, and climbed into bed, curling up on my side. I stared at the wall, thinking about Max. About the kiss. About how it should’ve meant more. I wanted it to mean more.

But I kept coming back to Hunter.

His silence. His looks. The way his voice dropped when he was angry or when he was trying not to be.

My stomach flipped, remembering the way he said my name in the kitchen. Low. Quiet. Loaded. I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling.

What would he say tomorrow? Would he pretend he hadn’t seen anything? Would he bring it up? Would he care? I pulled the blankets up higher.

I didn’t want to care about him.

But the worst part was...

I wanted him to care so badly I could barely breathe.

Somewhere down the hallway, I heard a door shut. Quiet, but not quiet enough.

I sat up, listening. Footsteps. Then silence. My heart pounded in my chest.

Was it him?

I climbed out of bed and moved to the window, pulling the curtain back just slightly. The house was still. The garden was lit only by the faint glow from the porch light.

Had he gone to bed, or was it Helena?

I climbed back into bed and stared at the ceiling; the sheets cool against my skin, but I couldn’t shake the burn beneath it.

I wondered what I would do if it had been Hunter kissing me tonight and not Max. Could I do that to my sister? No. It would make me no better than her.