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The fatigue weighed down her shoulders. “You’re such a sweet talker.”
Gray gave her a half grin. “Whatever it takes to get you to come with me.”
“All you had to do was ask.”
Gray’s father and another officer walked out of the restaurant. The cop watching her joined his partner a few feet away at the front of the patrol car and started a discussion while Grady came over to talk to them. “Rose. How are you feeling?”
“I’ll be perfect if they let me leave with Gray.”
“Do you agree not to charge Marc if he drops the charges?”
“Yes.”
Grady turned to the officers and gave them a nod before turning back to her. “Then it’s all settled. Marc has been advised to stay away from you and Gray, not only by me but by his father as well. Truly, I’m so sorry you got caught up in our family drama.”
Rose had a hard time looking at Grady, but did so because she wanted him to see how truly sorry she was. “I’m sorry if I caused even more strife between all of you.”
“You didn’t do anything,” he assured her. “You wanted to be with Gray. Marc doesn’t know how to accept that Gray’s happiness doesn’t mean Marc has less than him.”
“Marc doesn’t come close to the good and kind man Gray is. He never will.”
Gray kissed her on the head as his dad smiled at her.
“I think he finally found his equal.” Grady held her gaze, sincerity in his eyes.
“Thank you.” She appreciated the kind words and blinked away the fresh tears gathering in her eyes.
The officer who’d arrived with Grady came to her and unlocked the handcuffs. “You’re free to go.” And just like that, the officers left.
Rose rubbed at her wrists and breathed a huge sigh of relief. She held out her hand to Grady, who took it and shook it. “Thank you for getting me out of trouble. Truly, I wish I could express the depth of my gratitude.”
“I’m happy I could help. Because of Marc, you could have been in a lot of trouble for something you didn’t do.”
She acknowledged that with a nod. “I hope I never have to see him again.”
Grady eyed her and Gray. “I’m not sure that’s possible. We’re family.”
It hit Rose that he included her in their family.
She had been invited to their monthly family dinners, which meant she couldn’t escape Marc’s presence for long.
Grady sighed, looking as tired as she felt. “I hope Marc has learned his lesson and leaves you both alone.” Grady put his hand on Gray’s shoulder. “We’ll talk later. I need to find your mom. She’s been helping your uncle and Peg sort things out with Maggie’s parents.”
“I’m taking Rose with me,” Gray told his dad.
“Are you heading home tonight?”
“No. Rose wants to see Maggie before we go. She needs to eat and get some rest, so we’ll go to my hotel and stay there for the night.” Gray spoke for her, but said exactly what she wanted him to say, that they’d be together.
She longed for some quiet time with him to just decompressand settle back into the way things were between them before Marc tried to spoil it all.
Grady headed toward the restaurant entrance with them. “I’m so glad Marc didn’t ruin things between you and Gray. My wife and I are anxious to see you again. Keep making my son happy.”
“I plan on it.”
Gray took her hand, squeezed, and leaned in close. “Good. Because I plan on taking very good care of you.”
Ten feet from the door they stopped short when Maggie came rushing out. She didn’t stop until she practically tackle-hugged Rose. “I’m so sorry he did that to you.”
