Chapter Six

Grace’s POV

I tried to keep myself busy at my desk. I could see the boardroom door from where I was sitting. They were still in there, Hunter and Helena. Max was still waiting in Hunter’s office.

I threw my pen down. There was no point in trying to focus. My mind kept circling back to the conversation with Hunter, the way he had tried to control who I saw. It didn’t make sense. Or maybe I just didn’t want to admit the possible reasons why.

I had made dinner plans with Max. A man who made me feel something other than invisible. A man who didn’t see me as just an employee or a sister-in-law. He saw me as a woman. A desirable woman.

I wasn’t stupid enough to sleep with him if that was Hunter’s concern. Was he worried that Max’s sperm could somehow get mixed up with his? God, I was a virgin. It wasn’t like I would jump into bed with Max that quickly.

I didn’t want to use Max. It wouldn’t be fair to him. I would see how my feelings developed first. If my feelings still didn’t shift away from Hunter, then I wouldn’t take things further with Max.

I gave a silent laugh. What am I doing? We haven’t even been on one date yet, and I’m assuming he’s going to want to see me again.

I was so lost in my thoughts I almost missed Helena leaving the boardroom.

I held my breath, waiting for Hunter to leave. I jumped when I heard something hit the wall. Not two seconds later, Hunter came out, a look of thunder on his face. He didn’t even glance at me as he made his way to his office, where Max was waiting.

As he opened the door, he said over his shoulder, “Order me a new phone, Grace.”

I frowned. What had happened to his last one? “Yes, sir.” I would have normally said “Hunter” because he was my brother-in-law. But after today, I needed to keep a little distance.

I watched as Hunter paused before opening his door. He had noticed the distance I’d just placed between us, and by the set of his shoulders, I knew he didn’t like it. I didn’t need the forceful way he closed his office door to confirm it.

Hunter’s POV

Max was standing at the window when I walked in. He didn’t turn around.

“Took your damn time,” he muttered.

“Got caught up.”

He finally turned, that casual smirk of his firmly in place. “Well, glad I could be that necessary.”

We got to business. The deal we were working on was massive. We were planning to acquire a business from an aging tycoon with no heirs. Max was after the hospitality and events division. I wanted the tech and real estate arms. We’d split it evenly, take it apart and turn it into two powerhouse empires.

The meeting was productive. We agreed on strategy, approach, and timeline. Max was sharp, always had been. He could charm a deal out of the devil if he had to.

As we wrapped up, Max adjusted his cufflinks and gave me that look.

“You want to say something,” he said.

“Yeah.” I leaned back in my chair. “About Grace.”

His eyes lit up with amusement. “Thought we were done with that part of the conversation.”

“She’s not just some woman to play with, Max.”

“She’s an adult, Hunter. She can make her own choices.”

“She’s... innocent. She might not take to your lifestyle the way others have.”

Max raised an eyebrow, that confident smirk never wavering. “Maybe you’re right.”

He turned toward the door, pausing just long enough to deliver his final line.

“But then again… maybe she doesn’t want innocent.”

And with that, he walked out.

Grace’s POV

At seven o’clock, my condo intercom buzzed. I wasn’t used to men picking me up. Most of my life had been spent in the background of Helena’s world, always watching her get the attention while I faded into the shadows.

I knew I wasn’t chopped liver. I owed a mirror and saw myself in it every morning. There was just something about Helena that drew men to her, until Max. He had seen past that, and he was waiting downstairs for me.

By the time I stepped outside, Max was leaning against his sleek black sports car. I wasn’t a car person, so I had no idea the make and model, but it looked expensive.

He wore a dark blue button-up, sleeves rolled to the elbow, open collar, strong forearms on full display. It suited him far too well.

“Wow,” Max said, letting out a low whistle as he took me in. “I knew you were gorgeous, but damn, Grace, you’re trying to kill me here.”

A blush crept up my cheeks. “You clean up nicely yourself.”

He smirked. “Shall we?”

The drive to the restaurant was smooth, filled with easy conversation. Max made me laugh, and for the first time in forever, I felt light. Free.

The place he chose had dim lighting, soft music, and an intimate vibe. This wasn’t just dinner. It was a date.

We talked over wine and a meal I barely remembered. Our childhoods, our work, life in general. He told me stories about Hunter from uni, and I laughed more than I had in months.

But there was something else. The way he looked at me. Like he saw me. Like he liked what he saw.

“So,” Max said, swirling the last of his whiskey, “what’s the deal with you and Hunter?”

My stomach twisted. “There is no deal.”

He raised a brow. “Come on, Grace. I know a man who’s territorial when I see one.”

I swallowed. “He’s just my brother-in-law.”

“Yeah? He looked ready to rip me in half for standing near you.”

“It’s complicated.”

Max leaned in. “Then make it simple. Explain it to me. I’m a good listener.”

I hesitated.

His fingers brushed the back of my hand, sending a shiver up my arm. “Please. I want to know.”

I looked up and saw something steady in his gaze. So I told him.

“Helena can’t fall pregnant.”

He nodded. “Yeah, Hunter told me.”

“Well… I’m their surrogate.”

Max blinked. His easy smile dropped. “You’re… carrying their baby?”

I nodded. “I’m trying. The procedure was this morning.”

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.”

I smiled faintly. “It’s not first-date material, I know.”

“No, it’s not,” he said, chuckling. Then he paused. “Do you want me to back off?”

“What?”

“If this… whatever this is…is too much for you right now, just say the word. I’ll step back.”

I stared at him. Max was the first person in a long time to make me feel like more than Helena’s shadow. More than just a vessel.

“No,” I said. “I don’t want you to back off.”

Max’s eyes softened. He reached across the table, covering my hand with his. “Then I won’t.”

His touch grounded me. And I realized…I finally had a choice.

And I was going to take it.