was she did have thoughts that she should be dating someone closer to her own age. But there was also the fact that she was really attracted to Owen. Was that all she wanted from him? How should she know? She hadn’t dated anyone in over twenty years. “I guess I thought we were just getting to know each other and having a little fun.”
“I think I should go.” He strode to the door and paused. “It’s probably better if we just remain friends and coworkers. I was never looking for just a casual hookup. As uncool as it might sound, and despite the fact that I wasn’t ready to marry my last serious girlfriend, I’m a relationship guy. And I think I’m just not the person you’re looking for. Goodnight, Grace.”
Grace just stood there in her living room as he gently shut the door behind him. It wasn’t until she heard his car pull away from the curb that she realized she’d never explained her dinner with Matt. It hadn’t been a date. It had been a Realtor taking her client out for food after signing paperwork. But surely Owen would know that, right? Didn’t he ever take his clients out?
Her head started to ache. With her heart heavy, she wandered back into her kitchen to look for some ibuprofen and groaned when the rancid scent of burnt pastry hit her nose.
“Dammit!” She’d forgotten to set the timer for the turnovers. After she pulled the ruined dessert from the oven, she tossed them in the trash and felt the first tear spill down her cheek as she retreated to her bedroom.
Her chest ached with sadness and disappointment as she stripped out of her clothes and climbed into bed. The fresh sheets were crisp and cool and only made her more depressed. When she’d changed them earlier that day, she’d thought Owen would be joining her. Instead, he’d left because her communication skills sucked, and he’d picked up on enough of her insecurities that he’d felt like she wasn’t taking him seriously.
Was she taking him seriously? No. Not really. But she was recently divorced. She hadn’t been looking for anything resembling a relationship, let alone anything serious. Maybe he was right to leave. If so, then why was she so sad?
Grace rolled over and stared at the clock. It was only eight-thirty. She grabbed her phone and was about to send a text to Owen to apologize and ask if they could talk, but the screen flashed with a text from Alyssa.
Alyssa: I need a ride ASAP. It’s urgent. Can you come get me?
Grace: Where are you?
Alyssa: Urgent care.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Alyssa sat in the passenger seat of Grace’s SUV, cradling her arm. As near as Grace could tell by the few words her sister had spoken, she and Charlie had gotten into a physical fight, and she’d come away with a black eye and a sprained elbow. The doctor at the urgent care had put her arm in a sling and told her it would be about three weeks until it healed.
“Did you make a report?” Grace finally asked.
“No.” Alyssa’s voice was flat, void of any emotion as she stared out the window.
“Do you want to?”
Alyssa turned slowly toward Grace. “You’re actually asking me what I want to do? Not telling me?”
Grace stifled a sigh. “Of course I’m asking you. You’ve been through hell tonight, Lyssa. I don’t want to make you do anything you aren’t comfortable doing.”
Alyssa didn’t say anything until they pulled into Grace’s driveway and Grace killed the engine. Finally, she whispered, “Thanks.”
Grace’s heart shattered into a thousand pieces when she heard the vulnerability in her sister’s voice. Yes, they had their share of disagreements, but Grace loved her sister fiercely, and it was taking all of her willpower to not drive over to Alyssa’s house and strangle the bastard who’d hurt her.
“Come on. Let’s get you inside.” Grace released her seatbelt, jumped out of the vehicle, and was opening her sister’s door before Alyssa could even release her own belt. “I’ve got it.” She reached across her sister, undid the belt, and then helped her to her feet.
Alyssa winced as she made her way up the walk and was breathing hard by the time Grace got her settled on the couch. Kneeling down in front of her sister, Grace asked, “What is it you need from me right now? Should I call the cops? Get you tea? Find something for you to punch? Anything. You name it,