Page 136 of Playing Mr. Perfect

“It’s the best way.” Second only to making love with your son.

“I’ve gotten more sunrise photos from Clay this past month than ever before,” his grandfather says.

“It’s not the sunrise that’s so special, Gramps,” Clay says. “It’s who you watch them with.”

My heart squeezes.

“That is very true,” his grandmother says. “I’m glad you get to share it with Pepper. I never heard the story about how you two got together.”

“You know I had to chase her for a year, Gram,” Clay says. “She wasn’t interested in me. Can you believe that?”

I roll my eyes. “That’s not exactly true, and I never wanted you to chase me.”

“She did,” Clay says. “She just didn’t know it.”

“Okay, I admit it. You’re not wrong.”

His grandmother watches us fondly. “What kept you from going out with him?”

“I thought I knew who he was based on his reputation, and I didn’t give him a fair shot. Then I got to know him in Paris, and I realized how wrong I was.”

“She tried to break my heart when she left Paris, so I chased her to Virginia, and I refused to leave until she admitted we belonged together.” Clay flashes a coy smile. “Right, Pep?”

“You were determined.”

“It was the only way to break down your walls.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” his grandfather says, eyeing his wife. “This one made me jump through hoops to get her to admit what I knew from the very first time I saw her.”

“Oh, Bradshaw. You got your girl. Let it go.” His grandmother reaches up and touches his cheek. “You know I love you.”

“I know you put up with me.” He kisses her, and we all chuckle.

“If I’ve learned one thing about the Braden clan, it’s that they are fiercely loyal and relentlessly determined,” his mother says.

“When a Braden finds their true love, they’ll stop at nothing to make them theirs,” his father adds. “Just look at Victory.”

“I believe that,” I say. “My sister Morgyn is married to Graham, and he’s been all in from day one.”

“Well, they’re not all in from day one,” his mother says. “Flynn was so thrown off by his feelings for Sutton, he tried to get her fired. Some Bradens need more time to process and understand their feelings than others.”

“So do some Montgomerys,” Clay says, and then he kisses me.

“Your father told me he’s going in on your new foundation with you and Seth,” his grandfather says. “I understand it was Pepper’s idea.”

“No, it wasn’t,” I say quickly. “We came up with it together.”

“Guess you’re both bleeding hearts,” his grandfather teases.

“You say that like you’re not one,” his grandmother says.

His grandfather scoffs.

“I’m proud to be a bleeding heart,” I say. “And I’m glad Clay helps others. That’s one of the many reasons I’m with him.”

“Better keep the other reasons to yourself, babe. It would be inappropriate to name them,” Clay jokes.

The doors open again, and we all turn to see Sutton, wrapped in a blanket and wearing fuzzy slippers, and Flynn and Seth, both dressed in hoodies and sweats. “Hey, look who’s here,” his father cheers.