Page 74 of My Baby's Boss Daddy
“Grant—”
“I love you, Rachel. I know I haven’t done right by you in the past, but if you give me another chance, I’m going to do better. I want to do better. I want to be your husband and a father figure to Ron. If you let me, I’ll take care of both of you, and I won’t ever leave again.”
My heart began to pound in my ears.
“Grant, I…I can’t marry you. I’m still in love with Bernard.”
“I know you are, but I also know that if you let yourself, you can fall in love again,” Grant told me, lifting his chin. “You just need time, that’s all. And I’m willing to wait.”
Taylor appeared in front of our trouble, red-faced and breathless. She patted her hair down when we both looked up at her and slid into the booth next to me. “Hey, sorry I’m late. What did I miss?”
Grant sat up straighter and gestured to the box. “I proposed to Rachel.”
Taylor clapped her hands together and grinned. “You did? Oh, that’s great news.”
I shook my head and stood up. “It’s not. I’ve turned him down. I’m sorry, Grant. I think you’re great, and you’ve been such a good friend to me, but I can’t marry you.”
Taylor stood up and linked her arm through mine. “Please excuse us for a minute.”
She dragged me to the back of the restaurant, near where Ron played. “What are you doing? Grant is amazing. He’s exactly the kind of guy you need. You should say yes.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to him.”
Because I wanted Bernard, and Grant deserved better than being second best.
Grant deserved to be someone’s first choice.
But he wasn’t mine.
“You’ll learn to love him,” Taylor added, her eyes never leaving my face. “What are you so afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid. I just can’t marry Grant. Can I have the keys to your parents’ cabin in Seattle?”
Taylor’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“I promised Ron we would get away for a few days, and since he has a few days off of school, now is a good time as any.”
“Rach—”
“Please,” I added, shaking my head. “I need to get away from here…from all of this. Just for a while.”
Taylor sighed and rummaged through her purse. “Okay, will you call me when you get there?”
I nodded and beckoned Ron over. “I will. Thanks, Tay.”
After giving her a quick hug, I steered Ron past the table. He picked up his coloring sheet and gave Grant a high five. Taylorand I exchanged a quick look before she led him away, leaving me to face Grant.
“I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I don’t want you to waste any more time on me, Grant. You deserve better, and I hope you find it.”
Before he could respond, I picked my purse up off the booth and went to Taylor and Ron, who stood by the door. Taylor gave my hands a quick squeeze before she walked back to where Grant sat, an ashen expression on his face. I ushered Ron out into the warm afternoon sun, and we walked to the bus stop.
Ron was quiet the entire ride home.
Until we got back to the apartment, and I pulled out a suitcase. He sat down on the bed, folded his hands together, and stared at me. “What are you doing, mommy?”
“We’re going on vacation, baby. I know I’ve been promising for a while, so I’m glad we can finally do it.”
Ron jumped onto the bed and threw himself onto the mattress. “Where are we going, mommy? And can Bernard come?”