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  Brad rubbed the knot on his bicep. “That was totally uncalled for. I brought her because Grace was bringing Horatio. I didn’t know they’d broken up. And anyway, she ignored all my calls and texts yesterday—all five of them.”

  “Really?” said Josh, crossing his arms. “I don’t believe you. That doesn’t sound like something Grace would do.”

  “You don’t know her like I do. Hell, I don’t even know her anymore. She’s changed so much in the past week—”

  “She has not,” Olivia hissed, pushing her way between them. “She hasn’t changed at all. You guys had a good thing going and you just knocked her off the saddle. You can’t tell her you love her and talk about getting married after only dating for two months. Not with Grace, anyway.” She gave a pointed look to Josh, “And not with Charlie, either.”

  She shook her finger in Brad’s face. “I can’t believe you brought that woman to our dinner. If Spencer figures out who she is, you may not get to be best man at his wedding.”

  Brad bristled. “Grace could have at least had the decency to return my phone calls or texts. I wouldn’t have brought Kara if I’d known Horatio wouldn’t be here.”

  “When did you call Grace? Yesterday?”

  “Yes—five times. Five calls and five texts. I even told her I wanted to apologize in the last text. Obviously she doesn’t want to talk to me ever again.”

  “Well obviously.” Olivia’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Obviously the girl that already brought you flowers and a card and called you and asked to get together and talk when you flat out turned her down... Obviously that girl would refuse to return your phone calls and texts. Obviously there couldn’t be some other reason she didn’t answer you. Obviously, she couldn’t have left her phone on the subway yesterday.”

  Olivia quivered with anger.

  She jumped when Josh touched her arm. “Come on. Let’s go see if Spencer and Emily need help in the kitchen.”

  With one last disdainful look at Brad, Olivia flounced into the kitchen behind Josh.

  Brad turned pleading eyes toward his smirking brother. “But you know I didn’t ever get the card and flowers Grace supposedly sent.”

  “Yes, you imbecile, you didn’t get them because Kara Dickson intercepted them and told Grace her name was Leanne.”

  He cursed under his breath. Why hadn’t he put two and two together? He could vaguely remember seeing Kara with some flowers on Tuesday. He’d been so devastated at the time he hadn’t paid close attention. He should have known Grace wouldn’t lie about something like that.

  Ben smiled. “Yes, you are in some pretty deep stuff, all right. And by the way, you look like it, too.”

  Brad knew his eyes were bloodshot. He was so desperate for sleep he was tempted to take a sleeping pill. He had to get things worked out with Grace soon. “It’s not my fault—I didn’t know it was Kara.”

  “You don’t have to convince me—you have to convince Grace.” Ben glanced toward the front door. “That is, if she survives this encounter with the shark.”

  *****

  Grace swirled around to face Kara, blood beating in her temples. “Don’t try to pretend with me—I remember you from Tuesday morning. I know you didn’t give my flowers and card to Brad.”

  Kara’s face was impassive. “I have to say I don’t remember you at all. But that’s really not the issue here. The ultimate issue here is what’s best for Dr. Gates.”

  “Well you certainly aren’t what’s best for him. He doesn’t need a lying, conniving—” Grace stopped herself before the word left her lips. She hated the way this woman made her feel out of control. “A lying, conniving person for a girlfriend.”

  Kara folded her arms across her chest and glared down her nose at Grace. “Let’s talk about your qualifications as Brad’s future wife. Surely you can see you’d be a disaster for him in the end. I mean, you’re cute, or at least you were before you messed up your hair. I can only see a few strands the hat doesn’t cover, but I know a bad dye-job when I see it.”

  “I don’t believe Brad is so shallow he’d reject me based on a hair mistake.” Grace said the words with a conviction she didn’t quite feel.

  “I’m saying your looks aren’t that important, although he should be concerned his future offspring might inherit your short stature. But that’s not what I’m worried about. Listen, you know Brad is from L.A., right? And that’s where his family lives, right?”

  Grace nodded, not sure where this conversation was going, but all too aware she’d lost her angry momentum.

  “So if he stays in New York at Mercy General, he has no future. He’ll never get to be head of Emergency Medicine, much less higher up in the administration.”

  “But he likes what he does. He’s happy doing it.”

  “Emergency Medicine is an exhausting field. Surely you’ve noticed how tired he looks tonight. Are you so self-absorbed you didn’t see the dark circles under his eyes? He’s only thirty. Imagine how it will be when he’s forty years old.”

  “What does that have to do with me?”

  “He needs connections. That’s why he sought me out in the first place. My father is on the board at Central Hospital in L.A., where Brad’s family lives. Brad and I have known each other for three years since I’ve been in this residency. You’ve only known him for a few months. But since he met you, he’s abandoned his aspirations of returning to L.A. with me where his future promotion is almost assured.”

  Grace pondered her words. Would he really give up his dreams just to please her? Did he really need Kara for her influence and connections? What about his connections here?

  “He knows Steven Gherring, and he’s on the board at Mercy General.”

  “Yes, but Brad has told me Gherring would never use his power to promote his friends at the hospital. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but Gherring won’t be any help for Brad.”

  “I never asked him to sacrifice anything for me. I would probably move to L.A. if we ever got to that point.”

  Kara’s smile was anything but benevolent. “But as I said before, my father is on the board at Central. Brad has a great future in L.A. if he’s with me. But if I drop Brad, someone else will inherit that great future.”

  “But maybe he doesn’t want you, even if I’m not in the picture.”

  One corner of Kara’s mouth lifted, a cross between a smirk and a sneer. “He was interested in me before you came along. But something tells me you’re holding out on him, keeping that little treasure in your pants as an enticement.”

  Grace felt her face heating at Kara’s crass suggestive comment.

  Kara continued, “I’ll tell you from experience, Brad will be interested until he gets what he wants, but eventually he’ll be bored and seek greener pastures. I’m okay with that. I know my future husband and I might occasionally have a little side entertainment—I can live with it. The question is... Can you?”

  “I... That’s not what I think marriage should be like.” Grace fumed. There was no way she believed Brad had that attitude toward marriage. Kara was lying again.

  “Then we already know you’re not the right woman for Brad. So how long are you going to string him along? Will you keep him on the hook until he misses his opportunity for happiness? Are you going to keep him here in New York until he burns out at the age of forty? You know, even if he’s not with me, he needs to move away in order to move up the ladder. He’s already turned down an opportunity just this month because of you.”

  “What if you’re lying to me? I don’t believe Brad would ever cheat on a woman he was married to. And I already know you lied to me about your name. And you lied to Brad about my card and flowers.”

  “Fine—I’ll admit I met you before and I lied about my name. But I was only thinking about what was best for Brad, like you should if you care about him at all. Or maybe you don’t care about him. Maybe you just want to marry him for his money. I didn’t take you for a gold-digger, but—”

  �
��I’m not a gold-digger—I care about Brad. But I’m saying being with me wouldn’t keep him from moving away.”

  “You can’t tell me you really want to move across the country when your whole family lives here. Brad isn’t stupid—he knows it would make you miserable.”

  “But why didn’t he tell me this himself? Why wouldn’t he tell me about needing to move away from New York?”

  “You could always ask him yourself if you don’t believe me, but he’ll probably lie to protect you. Don’t you see? Brad is one of the few good guys out there. He’s willing to live a life of misery to keep you from being unhappy.”

  “I’m willing to do that for him, as well. I don’t want him to be unhappy.”

  “But he’s not willing to let you be miserable. So the only way Brad will ever be happy in the long term, is if he’s not with you. And yes, I’m sure I could make him happy, but I know he may not choose me. The point is you can’t make him happy, even if you’re willing to give up your family, because he won’t let you.”

  Grace’s eyes began to fill up until Kara’s face was wobbling in her vision. “I don’t believe you,” Grace said, although she could see the logic of Kara’s arguments.

  “You don’t have to take my word for it. Just take a close look at Brad’s face when you go back inside. You’ll see for yourself the toll his work schedule is taking on him. It breaks my heart.” A tear spilled down Kara’s face, and she swiped it away. Her voice cracked. “I’m sorry—I don’t usually lose control like that. But I just hate to see what’s happening to him.”

  “It can’t be that bad,” said Grace, squeezing her eyes against a deluge of tears. “He would have told me if he was unhappy in New York.”

  Kara sniffed a few times and dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. “Even though you’ve only known him two months, you know better than that. You know he’s the kind of guy who always puts other people first. He probably hasn’t even told Josh the truth because he wouldn’t want Josh to feel bad.”

  “Why would Josh feel bad?”

  “Dr. Branson got promoted over Dr. Gates. If it weren’t for Josh, Brad could probably stay here and move up at Mercy General. But you know Brad would never let Josh know he was disappointed.”

  Grace felt a tight band around her chest. It was true. She knew Josh and Brad had been in competition for the top spot after their residency. But she hadn’t realized Josh’s selection last month meant Brad’s career in New York was stalled. It made so much sense. Brad needed to leave New York, but he’d never believe she’d be willing to go with him. Unless... Unless he believed their relationship was over, leaving him free to follow his dreams. After he found a new position in Los Angeles or whatever city he chose, she could let him know she was in love with him. If she came to him, fully aware he was leaving the city, he would understand she was willing to move with him. And it would be too late for him to turn down the job and sacrifice himself for her.

  Kara sniffed a few more times. “I just... I just care so much about him. Thanks for understanding.” Kara laid her hand on Grace’s arm, but Grace recoiled at her touch, stepping back to glare at her.

  “Don’t mistake my tears for weakness. I recognize you for what you are, and I don’t believe your affection for Brad in any way approaches your love for yourself. And whether or not Brad and I end up together, I promise he will be fully aware of your treachery. If he chooses you, knowing who you really are, then he deserves you.”

  Kara’s stricken face morphed into an odious snarl. “Do you actually think I care about your opinion of me? I was trying to be nice, but now the gloves are off.”

  Grace laughed, stalking back inside. “Watch out... People will see your claws.”

  *****

  Brad knew he was in trouble with Emily and Spencer the moment he walked into the kitchen. Spencer glared silently at him, but Emily had no shortage of words.

  “What were you thinking? You knew Grace saw you kiss that woman at the baseball game, and then you brought her here to dinner? Are you just trying to hurt her?” Emily’s blue eyes shot daggers at Brad as she spewed out her accusations.

  “You were the one who told Ben about Grace bringing Horatio to dinner,” Brad objected. “I only brought Kara because I thought he was coming. I didn’t know they’d already broken up.”

  “Yes, but you brought the woman that lied to Grace and stole her card and flowers. Olivia already told us.”

  “Thanks for that.” Brad sent a sour scowl Olivia’s direction.

  “How could you? I thought you said you loved her,” Emily said.

  “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. Olivia told me I couldn’t tell Grace I loved her because we’d only been dating for two months. But it seems I’m required to follow certain unknown rules to prove I actually do love her even though I’m not allowed to say it.”

  Emily coughed out her exasperation. “Ha! And what’s so strange about that? Yes, girls require you demonstrate your love for a while before we’re willing to accept hearing the words. It’s not that difficult.”

  “It’s difficult if you don’t know the rules,” Brad complained. “Was it really such a sin I said out loud the words I was feeling?”

  “No, it’s just hard to believe your feelings were genuine when you brought that woman with you, knowing how much it would hurt her.”

  “Why isn’t anyone worried about Grace hurting me? She was the one who broke up with me just so she could date some other guy. And believe me, it hurt.”

  Emily’s eyebrows lifted as she folded her arms. “You certainly seemed to recover quickly from your terrible hurt—kissing another girl on national television a week later.”

  “I didn’t kiss her—she kissed me.”

  “Semantics,” said Ben from behind him, dodging the fist Brad shot toward his side. “Watch it! I’m already injured.”

  “It’s getting old, Ben,” said Brad.

  “No it’s not,” chuckled Josh. “I hadn’t heard it yet.”

  “Why isn’t anyone upset about her dating this Horatio guy and accepting a diamond ring from him in less than a week?” Brad had the distinct impression everyone had chosen sides, and no one was on his.

  “I kind of figured she made him up,” said Emily.

  “She did make him up,” said Olivia.

  “And this would have all been over if Kara hadn’t intercepted the card and flowers,” said Josh.

  “Wait a minute... She made him up? Isn’t anyone upset with Grace for lying about Horatio?” asked Brad.

  “Technically, she didn’t lie,” said Olivia. “There is a boy named Horatio who’s in love with her, and he did give her a ring. But he’s only six years old, so I don’t think he’s a real threat.”

  “Ha!” said Ben. “You got outmaneuvered by a six-year-old. That is so awesome.” His laughter grew at Brad’s outraged expression until he was rolling on the floor. His hilarity was contagious and soon the other four were chuckling, too.

  “I’m glad you’re all enjoying yourselves at my expense. It would be nice if someone was willing to help me out.” Brad tried to control his growing irritation.

  “I tried to help you, but you wouldn’t listen,” said Josh.

  Spencer finally spoke. “I’m willing to help, but I think it may be too late. Bringing that woman to dinner may have been the last straw.”

  “I’ll help you,” said Emily. “But only because I feel sorry for you because you look so terrible. Have you been sick?”

  Brad rubbed his forehead. “If you must know, I’ve hardly slept since she broke up with me.”

  “Shhhhh!” said Olivia from her listening post near the kitchen door. “I think Grace and Kara are back inside.”

  Ben continued in a low voice, “Maybe if we can just get through dinner, you can get Grace alone long enough to apologize and talk to her.”

  “I’ll even distract Kara for a while,” said Josh, “although you’ll owe me big time. I don’t know what you see in that woman.�
��

  “She’s beautiful, of course. That’s what Brad sees in her,” said Olivia.

  “I don’t think she’s beautiful.” Brad stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I think Grace is beautiful.”

  Olivia’s mouth quirked up on one corner. “I hope you still feel that way when she takes her hat off.”

  *****

  Grace felt Brad’s eyes on her during the entire dinner. She kept hers glued awkwardly to her plate, only speaking to give monosyllabic answers to direct questions. Kara, however, was animated and charming, flattering almost every person at the table, including all three of her sisters. She even directed a few veiled compliments toward Grace, enjoying her obvious discomfort.

  “Grace, I absolutely love your hat!” said Kara. “I’ve tried to wear them myself, but my hair is just so long and straight they never look good on me.” She flicked a heavy tress over her shoulder. “But with your short, wiry hair, hats look great.”

  “Gee thanks,” muttered Grace, acutely aware of the blood rushing to her face.

  But Olivia’s expression was the epitome of if looks could kill. “Kara, I’m so glad we’re getting to know you. When I first met you I thought you were a stuck-up... uhmm... Well, let’s just say I thought you were stuck-up and malicious. But now, after seeing an example of just how kind and thoughtful you are, I know I really underestimated you. Stuck-up and malicious wouldn’t even begin to describe you. I mean, you are just soooooooo malevolent! Oh, I’m sorry, I meant to say benevolent.”

  Hannah and Claire giggled, but their mother’s eyebrows furrowed. “Olivia... I think you’ve said quite enough.”

  “But Mom,” said Olivia with wide eyes. “I was only complimenting Kara, the same way she complimented Grace.”

  “Mom. May I be excused?” asked Grace. She couldn’t handle the stress for another moment. And it was killing her to sit across the table from Brad when he was sitting with Kara.

  Connie put her hand on Grace’s arm. “Before dessert? Are you not feeling well?”

  “I’m just not hungry.” Grace spoke the truth, having pushed her food around on her plate for the duration of dinner.