Page 94 of Getting Down to Business

“You have a huge family.”

“Yeah. I know my aunts and uncles and first cousins. When we get to their kids, I’m not a hundred percent sure who belongs to whom.”

“I don’t even have a cousin.” She shrugged.

“Wow.” He wasn’t sure if he felt bad or envied her. “I have plenty. Help yourself.” He held his hands out wide, indicating she could have her pick.

“What about your sister? I always wanted a sister.”

“You want Iz? I don’t know. She kind of keeps my head on straight.”

“Because she’s a psychiatrist?”

“No, because she’s my big sister.”

“…and Grayson and his girlfriend are here.” Gray could see his mother scanning the crowd. “Grayson!” she called when they were spotted.

“It was good while it lasted.” He leaned down and pecked her lips. “I guess we need to mingle.”

At some point during the picnic, Gray and Alyssa became separated. She seemed to be doing all right on her own as she laughed with his aunt, so Gray stayed clear of the women. Instead he went back inside to get another helping of potato salad and a brownie.

“She doesn’t seem that bad,” Izzy said, sneaking up behind him.

“She isn’t.”

“I expected her to be a train wreck.” She stole the brownie off his plate.

“Sorry to disappoint.” He frowned, taking the brownie back and shoving it in his mouth so she couldn’t have it. It was a timeless strategy.

“I guess so.” She pouted. “What are you going to do about the other issue?”

“What issue?” he mumbled with his mouth full of brownie.

“The guy in prison,” she said flatly, implying he was dense.

“I don’t see how there’s anything I can do. I can’t make the guy tell the truth, especially when the State of New York already failed.”

“Maybe time has helped him remember the facts more clearly.”

“Have you ever known anyone to remember something better over time?”

“It happens. I’m just saying she might not be able to move on with you if she never ends things with him. That would be a shame because I like her.”

Gray looked down at his plate of potato salad and found it suddenly unappealing.

“I’m going to go save Alyssa from Dad and his friends.”

He left his sister—and her prophecy of doom—to stand next to Uncle Jack. His dad was finishing the story of how he caught a marlin off the coast of Cabo–a story that became more riveting every time he told it, as fish stories often do.

“Wow. That is very cool, Mr. Hollinger,” Alyssa said with wide eyes as she passed back his phone with the photo. “It’s huge.”

His father smiled at Alyssa. “Please call me Holly. At least until you start calling me Dad.”

Gray’s heart stopped for a second as he waited for Alyssa’s response. He didn’t know how she might react. Would she make a scene, denouncing him loudly so everyone knew they were only pretending to be in a relationship? Or would she walk away upset?

She didn’t do any of those things.

Her eyes widened in surprise and then happiness beamed out of her like the light from the sun when it crests the horizon. She swallowed and gave him a little nod as if it was not a big deal, but Gray could see the way it had affected her.