Grayson wasn’t around when Claire walked out of the bedroom her second morning at Grayson’s. She still felt a little awkward being in his apartment, but having Autumn there had made a huge difference.

The petite, soft-spoken blonde was about Claire’s age and incredibly friendly. Her sweet nature made her easy to talk to, and she was a wizard in the kitchen. Yesterday, she’d taken Claire under her wing and kept her distracted by teaching her how to make pies.

All the while, Camden had stayed close, teasing his wife gently with good-natured humor. At times, Claire had just watched the two of them, entranced by their easy relationship. The love between them was evident, and she envied the long glances and affectionate touches that came so easily to them.

Now Camden was seated at the kitchen table with a black-haired man of about thirty wearing a pale blue button-down shirt and gray slacks. After taking a sip from his coffee mug, the new guy fixed his blue eyes on her and gave her a welcoming nod. His tall, muscular physique and assessing gaze reminded Claire of all the men she’d met from Phoenix so far, even Camden.

As Claire walked in, Camden lifted his chin in greeting. “Claire, this is Alex Nabokov,” he said, tilting his head toward the newcomer. “He’s with Phoenix, and will be helping keep an eye on things here. Gray had to go out of town early this morning to see his mother.”

Claire nodded her hello to Alex, but her heart rate picked up at the serious expression on Camden’s face. “Has her condition worsened?”

Camden confirmed it with a nod. “From the way it sounded, she’s not doing well at all.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I’m sorry too. She’s a very nice woman. Too young to be facing all of this.”

Alex stood up and excused himself, saying he needed to make a call. As he stepped out onto the large balcony that led off the living room, Claire poured herself a cup of coffee, feeling Camden’s gaze on her back. When she turned around, he met her eyes.

“Listen, Claire . . . last night Gray mentioned something to me about you guys not getting along. I know how intense he can be under normal circumstances, so I can only imagine how it’s been the past few days. But you should know something. He’s a really good guy.”

Claire blinked in surprise. Why was Camden telling her this?

As if he’d read her mind, he gave her a small smile. “Anyway, Grayson should be back tomorrow. Alex will be here on duty until he returns, and I’ll back him up. Oh, and the lab released your things. Alex brought them with him. At least you’ll be able to wear your own clothes again.”

He pointed behind her and Claire swung her head around, thrilled to see her suitcase, tote, and purse resting on the floor next to the front door.

Autumn walked into the kitchen, catching the tail end of the conversation. “She’s pretty much rocking Grayson’s clothes,” she said with a grin.

Claire felt her cheeks warm and tugged self-consciously at the hem of the Henley shirt of Grayson’s she was wearing that fell to the top of her thighs. She’d paired it with the smallest pair of his sweatpants she could find, but they still swamped her. Autumn was so slim and petite, several inches shorter than Claire, none of her clothes would fit, even though she’d offered them.

Camden put an arm around his wife’s waist. “You should tell Claire how it was when you and Gray first met.”

Autumn tilted her head a moment, thinking. “If I had to use one word, I’d say intense.” She turned her gaze to Claire. “Camden was injured at the time, and Gray was being protective. He didn’t trust me at all.”

Claire widened her eyes in amazement. “How could someone not trust you?”

“Gray had his reasons,” Autumn said, avoiding her gaze.

Not for the first time, Claire wondered what her story was. Instead of voicing the question, she asked Camden, “Did you and Grayson grow up together?”

“No. Gray grew up in Pennsylvania, and I was raised in Virginia. We met in college.”

Curious, Claire glanced at Autumn. “Did you grow up in Virginia too?”

Autumn shook her head. “I’m from Minnesota.”

“Is your family still there?”

She shrugged. “I don’t really have a family anymore.”

When Autumn didn’t elaborate, Claire looked toward Camden, but his gaze was still fixed on his wife. Not wanting to intrude on what seemed to be a private moment, Claire excused herself, murmuring that she needed to change clothes.