I care?
The wind rustling the willow sounds like water. But the water not moving sounds like silence.
“You’ve really never been in love?” I finally ask him.
“No. You?”
“No,” I say. “But that doesn’t mean… Hmm. I mean, I’ve never met a couple who I knew well that I wanted to be, whose relationship I wanted to have. Only old couples on the news for 50 years together that I don’t really know. What do I know, the old woman could secretly be beating the poor husband with her cane when he forgets to pass the salt.”
A stunned silence, then Greyson laughs loud and hard.
“You’re dark, you know that?” Another laugh. “I like it.”
I make a grimacing smile. “I’m glad someone does.”
“You’re right, though,” he continues. “Long-term love seems like the hardest thing in the world, the most impossible. Anyway”—he clears his throat as he gestures around—“this has raised picnics considerably in my estimation.”
I have to laugh. “Meaning?”
“The only other picnic I’ve been to was a family shit-show.”
“Then why try again?”
“Because…” He trails off, eyes narrowing at whatever he’s thinking. Then he gives his head a little shake. “Forget it.”
“Greyson.”
“Really, it was nothing.”
“Liar.”
I sit up and look at him right in the eye. “Tell me.”
“Harley.”
I move my face even closer to his, so our lips are nearly brushing. “Tell me.”
“You,” he says, and takes my chin in his hand and presses his lips to mine. Warmth and electricity rocket through my body.
When we finally manage to pull away, he wraps me in his arms. “Just because I had a feeling that being with you would make anything good.”
Whoa. First he says he doesn’t believe in love, then he says that?
“Greyson, I—”
Already, his stony cold expression is back in place. “I meant what I said before: not a big deal.”
“Fine,” I snap back.
Maybe it’s even better, me having to pry the words out of him with a verbal crowbar. Makes it clear he isn’t just trying to butter me up. No, I know he’s saying it—doesn’t want to say it—because it’s real.
My gaze is caught in the undulations of the willow overhead, my mind in wondering how long this will last, can last, why I even care at all. This can’t last.
And yet, right here, right now, Greyson and me, Anchovy and the crumbs, the willow and the water scented ever so slightly with the evergreens on the far side of it, all this, it’s enough.
Chapter 25
Greyson
By the time I’ve dropped Harley and her ferret back at her place, and gotten home, it’s late. Late enough and dark enough that as I step into my condo, I don’t notice anyone’s there until someone says, “Imagine seeing you here.”
“Nolan.” I’d recognize that voice anywhere. “What are you doing here?”
“Good question.” Nolan’s tone is firmly playful. “What are you doing here?”
“This is my condo.”
Nolan chuckles. “Ah, so it is. I ate all your kale chips, by the way. Hope you don’t mind. Who knew something so healthy could actually taste so good? Maybe I’ll include them in my next skit, just for an excuse to eat them again.”
I head over to flick on the light switch. “Why are you here?”
Not that Nolan showing up here unannounced is unheard of, but it’s no weekly occurrence either.
“You weren’t missing your beloved younger brother?” he asks.
“Cut the shit.” We both know he didn’t show up here just for us to bask in each other’s presence.
He frowns. “You still making an appearance on my special at the Grange tomorrow?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Good.”
“Nolan.”
“Alright. I came here to tell you I got you a last-minute talk with The Reginald.”
“What?” I growl.
“C’mon, you should be psyched!” Nolan’s tone is psyched enough for the both of us. “How much shit did The Reginald get Dad out of? He’s Storm Inc.’s best lawyer!”
“What shit do we need to get out of?”
“What shit don’t we need to get out of, am I right?” Nolan chuckles, although his face goes serious after a half-second. “Seriously, Greyson. You don’t want to miss this.”
“My PR talk about the tax evasion was a big success,” I point out. “I’ve already made our first big payment of the back taxes and set up that charity. What more is there to do?”
Nolan just smiles. “Come now, Greyson.”
I glare at him.
“Can’t you just go and trust me that this is in your and Storm Inc.’s best interest?” he continues.
“Not until you tell me what the fuck this is all about. There’s no reason you wouldn’t unless you knew it would piss me off