Keir

I see Grace on and off all morning, but not the way I want to. There's no chance to take her into her office for that kiss, because we're both swamped. I have reports on the restaurants to write, and specs on the hotel I’m photographing, to go over. I'm really looking forward to lunch with my woman, and when I have a chance to leave a little early and get us a good table with a view in the cafeteria, I do.

I'm playing on my phone while I wait, when my sister decides to join me. I have a momentary feeling of panic, but ultimately decide it's a good thing. I need to let Grace know about her, and if my hand is being forced, so be it.

"Hey, Ainsley, shouldn't you be over there with your posse?" I ask, waving at her friends.

"Can't I eat with my brother?"

"Not when I have a date."

"Seriously?"

"Would I really joke about it?'"

"God, I hope not. Who is it?"

"You'll see when she gets here, and you're not going to act weird about it."

"Why would I act weird?"

"Because you're my baby sister, and you think you need to make a big deal out of my life."

"News flash...my brother is a big deal."

I reach forward and cup her cheek in my hand, kissing her on the cheek. I'm about to thank her for all she's done for me, but we're interrupted, in the worst possible way.

"Isn't this cozy?" Grace looks angry, and hurt, and I’m even more sorry I didn’t tell her about Ainsley before now.

"Grace, I can explain."

"Explain how you've been making out with me, but now you're after another a woman? A married woman, whose husband can pound you into dust."

"Well, dust is a little much, but really, it's not what it looks like."

"Save it, because now I know why you wanted to wait to have sex."

"Wow, you were holding out on her?" my sister asks, helping no one.

"Shut it, Ainsley. In fact, why don't you go sit with your friends so I can talk to Grace."

"Don't bother; I have nothing to say to you except you better be ready for our meeting in an hour."

"Come on, Grace, you owe me the chance to at least sit down and talk about this."

"I owe you? You didn't really say that to me."

"He did. I heard it."

"Ainsley."

"Keir."

"Go the fuck away," I tell her, turning to look her in the eyes, so she knows I'm serious.

When I turn back to Grace, she's gone. I want to run after her, but the last thing I need to do is cause a scene, and make her even angrier than she already is at me. I already knew I should've told her, and now I've lost her before I really had her. Fucking perfect.

"Grace? Wow. I didn't know you had it in you."

"As you can see, I don't."

"It's just a misunderstanding. I am a little perplexed to know you didn't mention me to her."

"I was trying to impress her. Telling her my sister got me this job isn't very impressive."

"Men."

"Women aren't always so stellar, either."

"I can go talk to her."

I know she means well, but what she said still pisses me off. "I've been taking care of myself for a lot of years, you know."

"I didn't say you couldn't."

"Really? Because you tried to set me up with Harlow, got me an interview here, and now you're offering to find Grace to set her straight about what just went down."

She shakes her head, and blows out a deep breath. "You don't get it. At all."

"Enlighten me."

"You have always been there for me, Keir. Always. More than even Mom and Dad have been there for me. You beat up the boys who were mean to me as a kid, taught me how to punch the guys who messed with me as a teen, and encouraged me when I was allowed to tell you about what I really do. You did all of it without making me feel like I was 'less' than you, or weak for needing help, or a shoulder to cry on. Now, I'm trying to do a little of the same for you."

"I know. I do. I just feel like I've lost control of everything in my life."

"You haven't. That bitch left you and the boys, but you're still my awesome brother, a wonderful father, and one of the best men I've ever met."

"Thanks, and I'm sorry things went down like this with Grace."

She shrugs. "No biggie since she doesn't really like any of us from the Society."

"She knows?"

"No. Just that's we work for the Foundation, and get a lot of perks no one else does. She complained to Matt, about how we seem to do what we want, while spending C&C money, and not making any. I guess she stumbled across some accounting form by accident, and said we should be held more accountable for what we spend. Granted, it was for over a million dollars, but we saved a few hundred people on that mission. Not that Matt could tell her that."

"This just keeps getting better, and better."

"She's not the first to complain, and I'm sure she won't be the last. All everyone sees is twenty women who seem to come and go as they please, and hang out in their offices, giving away the money everyone works hard to make for C&C. Matt basically told her there was no price on helping people—since she knows we do that as the Foundation, and she let it go.”

"I get it, but if Grace isn't cool with you, there's no reason for me to try to make things right with her. You're family."

"You listen to me, big brother. You are not going to blow this with her. Grace is the first woman you've initiated anything with since your divorce, and I will jump through any hoop she needs me to so we can be friends. She's a badass, and I admire the hell out of her, because I ran her background check, and I know the shit she went through at other companies. And once she gets to know me, there's no way she won't love me."

"No, there isn't."

"See, it's all good as long as you explain this all to her, and tell her you're sorry for being an ass."

"She's worth it," I say, more for myself than my sister, but I know it's true. I'll fix this...somehow.

Grace

I go straight from the cafeteria to Miles office. I'm hungry, and hurt, but I need to confess before I lock myself in my office to eat and cry.

"Shouldn't you be at lunch?" he asks, when Susan waves me in.

"Yes, but I screwed up, and I need to tell you about it."

"Okay. Sit down, and tell me what's going on."

"I crossed a line, made a fool of myself, and I don't know how it's going to affect things."

"Keir?"

"Yeah."

"Spill."

I tell him what I told my mom, and add what happened today. His mouth stays in a smirk, until the last part, when he bursts out laughing. To say I'm offended is an understatement.

"I didn't expect this from you," I tell him, trying to hold back tears of embarrassment.

"I'm not laughing at you, Grace," he says, coming around the desk, and moving the other chair to right next to me. He takes my hands in his, and smiles. "This situation is pretty crazy."

"Right? And how do I compete with Ainsley Taylor? I heard she's an actual genius. All of those women are beyond normal."

"Ainsley is happily married to Zack, and she wouldn't cheat on him with anyone, least of all Keir."

"What's wrong with Keir? He's good enough for her."

"Yes, but he’s not her type."

"Whatever. It doesn't matter, because she's obviously his type."

"There is so much I could say right now, but I think you need to hear it from Keir."

"I don't want to talk to him."

"Since you're working together, you'll have to talk to him."

"I know. I knew better. I know better than getting involved with someone at work."

"It's not the end of the world, Grace. All that matters is how you deal with the aftermath, good or bad."

"I can be professional with him."

"I have no doubt, but is that really all you want?"

"I want a guy who only wants me."

"As you should."

"We have the meeting with Keir in less than an hour. I should probably get my stuff together."

"And eat."

"I can't go back into the cafeteria right now."

"Have something sent up here."

"I'm allowed to do that?"

"Yes. Read the benefits section of the intranet, G."

"I know about my medical, dental, vision, and time off."

"There is so much more, and Matt should've pointed it all out to you when you talked to him about the Foundation."

My cheeks turn red, because that's not a highlight of my time here. "Alex still talks to me."

"I wasn't calling you out."

"I was maybe calling myself out," I grumble.

"You'd fit right in with the Foundation women."

"They probably all hate me."

"It's on you to change their perception."

"I know."

"Alex and I want to spend a quiet day at home on Sunday, so you're going to be my representative in the Corrigan box for the Legends game."

"What? No."

"Yes. Take the opportunity to get to know whoever's there, and have fun."

"Do I have to dress up?"

"Nope. Jeans and a t-shirt or jersey are the norm."

"I'm tempted to wear a Zack Taylor jersey, but I suppose I shouldn't."

"You should. Please. Please wear one."

"You’re so weird sometimes. I'm going to my office to learn about ordering food, and get my stuff together."

"If you'd assign yourself an assistant, they could order for you."

"Baby steps."

"Go."

I didn't think I'd be smiling when I walked out of the office, but I am. When I go back, I have to see Keir, so it's going to be a lot harder. I can do this, though. I'm strong, and resilient. Maybe a little heartbroken too, but it could be worse...at least I didn't fall all the way in love with him yet.