Chapter 20
Tyler
I tried to focus on work the next day, but I couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off my face. All I could think about was Grayce, and how lucky I was to have her. Lying there last night, with her in my arms, I’d thought a lot about what I wanted to do.
I’d also thought a lot about what Shane had said, about becoming a counselor. I knew it was something I would find gratifying. I also knew that I needed something more solid. If I was going to be with a woman like Grayce – to be worthy of her – I wanted to do more with my life. I thought I had finally come up with a plan that would let me have a fulfilling career, and still let me be the man that she needed and the man she deserved.
After work, I went by my Uncle Joe’s house. I hadn’t seen him for a while, and I had to pick up a few things he had been storing for me in his garage. I told him about my plan to go back to school, and I told him about Grayce.
“She sounds great, Tyler,” he said. “Why don’t you bring her around for dinner on Sunday? I’ll get the whole family to come over. Sarah will make us a nice pot roast. What do you say?”
“That sounds great, Uncle Joe, thanks. I want to get this stuff put up before Grayce gets home,” I said, smiling at the idea of Grayce coming home to me.
“I know that look,” he said.
“What look is that?” I asked.
“That look on your face. I haven’t seen that look in thirty years.” He chuckled. “Last time I saw that expression was on a face a lot like yours. My brother’s, to be exact. We were at a carnival, playing games on the midway, and this girl hopped on the seat he was about to take at the horse racing game. He started to yell at her to get out of his seat when she turned around. His eyes met hers, and he got that same stupid look on his face that you’ve got now.”
“Hmpf,” I said, grinning. “Dad and Mom?”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?” He slapped me on the back. “They’d be so proud of the man you’ve become, Tyler.”
“Thanks, Uncle Joe. I’m going to do better. I’m going to make sure I am someone they could’ve been proud of. And I’m going to make sure I’m worthy of this amazing woman I’m lucky enough to have found. I don’t want to waste this chance.”
I headed back to the apartment and unloaded the suitcases into the living room. I was in the process of making some space in my bedroom for them when Grayce came home. She walked through the door with pizza and a bag that I could see contained beer.
As soon as she saw my stuff in the living room, she stopped cold. Her brow furrowed, and she said, tentatively, “You’re…you’re moving out?”
Her nose started to get red as her face filled with emotion.
“No, baby, no!” I rushed to her, set the food down on the hall table, and took her in my arms. “No, Grayce, I’m moving in. I got all my stuff out of storage at my Uncle Joe’s house and brought it over to unpack.” I kissed her sweet lips and rubbed her cheek with my thumb. “Come sit down, I want to tell you what I’ve been working on.”
She sniffed, and her pout turned into a smile. “Okay.”
She took my hand and we sat on the sofa.
“I went and got all my stuff from Uncle Joe’s because some of my psych books are in there from college. I want to go back through them. I signed up to start my master’s in psychology. I talked about being a counselor, but I’m going to go for it, and work toward becoming a psychologist.”
She was smiling.
“What do you think?” I asked, nervous despite her smile.
“I think I would love for you to pursue anything that makes you happy, and you’ve talked about this before.”
“I quit at Twist. I’ll keep my job at the gym and do the occasional modeling job as I can. I want to have a good career. I want to do something that we can both be proud of.”
She straddled my lap and threw her arms around me, burying her face in my neck. “Tyler, I’ll be proud of you no matter what. I love you, and I’m glad you’re moving your stuff in. You can put it in the guest room.”
“I think you mean our new office. I need a place to study, and you need a place to work from home when you need to.” I placed my lips on hers. “I love you, Grayce Gladden.”
“I have a surprise for you too,” she said. “I did the name change today. I’m Grayce Cooper now.”
As I looked into her beautiful, blue eyes, I saw a sparkle there. It was the same one I remembered seeing in my mom’s eyes when she would look at my dad. I missed them so much and wished they could meet this gorgeous woman I was going to share my life with.
As we sat with our arms wrapped around each other, it finally hit me. When I was with Grayce, I felt comfortable and safe. Wherever she was, for me, that was home.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read this latest book. As a HUGE thank you, I’ve included a copy of my first ever series as a bonus. Enjoy the bonus and I look forward to writing my steamy romance books for you to read.
Katie