Rm w/a Vu(126)

I’m gone less than two minutes, and when I return, I find Greyston standing at the checkout…with his arms wrapped around another woman.

This isn’t exactly how I imagined us kicking off our time away. What it does is reawaken the hurt and betrayal I felt when I found Ben exiting my dorm room after banging my roommate—amplified exponentially, given it’s Greyston in some other woman’s arms.

I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut, the heavy feeling spreading throughout my belly and then moving outward. I grip the milk jug tightly, my right hand shaking, and my eyes stinging. My chest tightens, making it hard for me to breathe, and I force myself to move forward, needing to know what the hell is going on, and I only just catch the tail end of whatever they’re talking about.

“Well, I couldn’t wait around for you my whole life, now could I?” she says, her voice soft and airy, almost melodic.

I blink back the burn in my eyes, clearing my throat to force them to acknowledge my presence. Greyston sees me first, smiling as though I didn’t just catch him with his arms around another woman, and when she turns around, her bright green eyes catch mine.

She’s gorgeous. Her light brown hair is filled with fine highlights and cut down to her shoulders, framing her slender face. She’s about my height, and her smile is wide, showcasing a row of perfectly straight and white teeth.

Greyston reaches for my hand, pulling me to his side. I’m reluctant, my feet heavy like they’ve been cemented to the ground. He wraps an arm around me, easing the feeling of betrayal that continues to fester and build inside me, and he kisses my temple, taking down the first of several bricks from the wall I’m building to guard my heart from breaking into a million pieces. I can tell he’s trying to assuage my fears that he isn’t attracted to this woman. I feel pretty stupid for even thinking that he would look at another woman in that way—especially since he’s always said how much he despises Ben for doing what he did to me.

“Juliette, this is Gemma.”

“Hi.” It’s all I can say as I offer her a slight nod.

Gemma flashes that million-dollar smile again, reaching out and taking my hand in hers; even her nails are perfectly manicured, making me self-conscious. “Hi!” She turns toward Greyston, the look on her face almost admonishing. “I had no idea you were seeing someone!”

“It’s still pretty new,” I answer, no inflection whatsoever to my voice. “So, uh, how do the two of you know each other?”

“Greyston’s my agent,” Gemma offers up, and I feel my body relax slightly. I’m still a little tense due to feeling like an ass for assuming there was something deeper going on.

“Oh.” I offer her the first genuine smile I can muster. “And what is it you do?”

“I snowboard.” Gemma looks at Greyston again, green eyes sparkling. “In fact, if you guys want, I could hook you up with passes to the resort while you’re in town.” She reaches into her purse—designer, naturally—and pulls out a business card, handing it to Greyston. “I assume you’re staying at the cabin while you’re here?”

She’s been to the cabin?

“We are,” he responds without pause, voice remaining steady. I can’t get a read on whether or not this is strictly a personal relationship, and I’m starting to wonder if my past with Ben hasn’t made me a little suspicious. Okay, a lot suspicious. He hands the card to me, and I look at it: Gemma MacKay.

“Perfect. Give me a call, and maybe Dom and I can take you to dinner while you’re in town.” Gemma checks her watch, then holds her hand up. “Well, I have to get going, but I’ll hear from you guys soon?”

Greyston looks down at me for my input, and I don’t want to seem like a fuddy-duddy when I don’t really know what may or may not have happened between them years ago. I give him a nod, and Greyston smiles before responding. “Definitely.”

Gemma saunters away, and Greyston and I pay for our food before heading back out to our vehicle. The more I think about it, the more stupid I feel. I only saw them hug. That doesn’t mean anything, and I’m growing more and more sure that I’ve unknowingly let what Ben did affect the way I view all relationships now. While I didn’t love Ben, what he did made it hard for me to trust certain situations.

Greyston suggests we head over to the liquor store for a few different kinds of wine, and I remain lost in thought, not sure if I should say anything or just let it go. Unfortunately, Greyston is more perceptive than I’d like, because once we’re back in the vehicle and headed for the cabin, he places a hand on my lap, drawing my focus to him.