Chapter 45
Kate
Kate tried to avoid Grant the weekend after the garden party. She didn’t know what had gotten into him, and she didn’t particularly care. Stefan had told her tactfully about Grant’s adoptive parents’ surprise visit. She felt more understanding, but that still did not excuse Grant’s behavior. He had been so drunk. His behavior was too similar to what Alan had tried to do to her. She couldn’t handle it, so her next best option was to run from it.
“I think Grant is ready to fly on his own,” she told Walter as they sat in his study.
“Do you really think so?” he asked thoughtfully.
“Yes. You need an assistant who is focused. Maybe we can find a new one for Grant.”
“Now that you mention it, I was talking to Brandy and her father at the garden party. She is turning over her dog business full-time to her sister. I got the impression that her father didn’t give her much choice in the matter. So he was wondering if Grant needed an assistant. I was going to have you two be co- assistants, but now Brandy can be Grant’s personal assistant, and you can come back to me full-time. I have a grueling schedule ahead, and I must admit I would feel better about it if you were one hundred percent focused.”
As soon as he said Brandy’s name, Kate felt her eye twitch. She tried to keep her expression neutral and professional. “Well,” she said through gritted teeth, “I suppose these things do all work out, don’t they.”
Walter smiled blandly at her.
The next morning, Brandy showed up for her first day on the job.
She kissed Kate on both cheeks and exclaimed, “Darling, I do need a husband. I’m getting on in years. What’s better than being the assistant and slipping easily into the wife role?”
Kate did not want Grant to end up with Brandy. Kate knew she herself would never be able to be with Grant, but Brandy was certainly not good enough for him, she thought, trying not to scowl.
She gave Brandy a perfunctory tour and ran into Grant as she was leaving. He was shirtless, just having come back from a run.
“Kate,” he said awkwardly, “about the other night. I am so sorry. I don’t know what got into me.”
“Brandy is here. She is going to be your new assistant,” she said abruptly as Brandy came around the corner. Kate bared her teeth as Brandy looked Grant up and down, a smile slowly spreading on her face.
“Walter and I are leaving tomorrow morning. It’s your first day at Holbrook Enterprises, Grant, and I wanted to be here to help Brandy aboard as well, but Walter has been pushing meetings off because of the garden party, and now we really have to go. The next six weeks are going to be packed.”
“We can handle it, right, Grant?” Brandy said, sidling up to him.
“Call me if you need anything,” Kate said.
Brandy gave her a triumphant look. “I’m sure Grant and I can handle it.”
Barf, Kate thought. Why couldn’t it have been Ginny? At least I get along with her. She also made a mental note that she still needed to buy her bridesmaid dress for Ginny’s wedding.
The next few weeks were a blur. She kept receiving text messages from Nancy about Martha’s Vineyard. She really wanted Kate and Walter to be there. Kate knew this was the first time that the Holbrooks would have their big family summer vacation since last Christmas when the fire had killed the three children. Last summer, none of them had gone, but Nancy was insistent that they resume the tradition.
She kept tabs on Grant as well. It seemed as if he was slowly acclimating to his new position. Brandy wouldn’t return her calls, and when Kate was finally able to contact her, she was surly and secretive. Kate was hearing more about Grant’s progress from Ginny.
Grant had landed some small sales, only worth a few million, though. Kate knew he needed to win some bigger projects. She texted Ginny.
We’re flying in for the big quarterly sales meeting
Ginny immediately texted back.
We can go bridesmaid’s dress shopping!
Kate wasn’t sure if that was going to be possible with the schedule.
We will if I can get some time away
She felt herself looking forward to spending time with Ginny. Normally, she felt slightly envious at weddings. She always felt as if she would never have her day and none of her friends would have to spend a lot of money and time catering to her after she did all of that for them. But she liked Ginny so much that she only felt happy for her. Also, her fiancé, Eric Davenport, was a good guy, and Kate could only feel joy for the couple. They genuinely deserved to be happy with each other.
She let her thoughts meander wistfully to the topic of Grant. What if she got back and he and Brandy were an item? She didn’t know if she could handle it.