Gray stood by the window with the cold air blowing on his back. His eyes couldn't look away from the face he missed. He hadn't expected her anger which was idiotic on his part. The message he sent hurt her. He tried to put it on himself, but she interpreted it as he didn't want her. He had never wanted anything more.

She pouted. "No one cares about what I need."

"You can have anything money buys." It was hard to accept that the beautiful princess had wanted him.

She let out a frustrated yell. "Need! Not want. I needed you." She continued with a faint whisper. "I need you."

"Please," he begged. "Please make the call."

"Fine, but I don't need you protecting me."

He cracked a smile. "You just said you needed me."

She tapped on her phone. "Not the same thing. I thought our hearts meant something." She pulled on her necklace. "I thought this meant something."

"They did. It did."

She snapped her fingers. "But you stopped. The minute we had to fight, you decided I wasn't worth the effort."

"What I decided was that your family was more important to you than me."

"That wasn't your decision. It should have been my choice. Unless you just didn't care enough."

He felt himself backed against the wall. "I care! I care too much!"

She looked at him. The pain in her eyes felt like a gaping wound. "You did."

"I do. I couldn't turn it off." She shook her head. "I can't turn it off." He tried as they traveled from one country to the next. Half way across the world, he still loved her. He looked at his watch. "Dinner is at six, so Sinclair can fly home."

"Because he doesn't like to be apart from my sister." She took off her shoe and threw it at him.

He caught it. He wanted to grab her and hold her. "It doesn't matter what I want. We come from different worlds."

"Just tell yourself that. You live with a man wealthier than me. In fact, it isn't my money. I make a living with my photography and my father is generous. Our worlds aren't that different."

"Get dressed for dinner."

Before he pulled her into his arms, he walked straight through her room to the door.

"Where is dinner?"

"Downstairs." He slipped out and sighed.

Seeing her was too difficult. He wanted her, but it would hurt too much to lose her again.

He went to his room and splashed cold water on his face. Just get through dinner, Gray. His words felt empty because watching her work would be just as hard.

He arrived at the restaurant early. Sinclair breezed through the lobby like a man with a purpose. "Did you see her?"

Gray gritted his teeth. "The rocker bastard is here. He grabbed her."

"Jesus. I need to ruin that band, but it isn't my usual target. Maybe I should buy tickets to their concerts, so they only have a small audience."

"I like your way of thinking."

Jimmy smirked. "Did she fall into your arms?"

"No. She's angry with me."

"You broke her heart. She fought her family for you. Then you dumped her."

"I know. You know I can't. I'm not good enough."

"You can be anything you want to be. I'll help you."

"Why would you?"

"I believe in true love and I'm tired of seeing Doyle sad." He smiled. "The vixen is coming."

Gray turned. She had a sexy sapphire blue dress. She walked up to Sinclair and kissed his cheek. "Jimmy, what are you doing here? Two days ago you were in Philly."

"You know me. I get around." Sinclair frowned. "Why did you bring a dress like that to take photographs?"

"I just bought it. I've been shopping."

Gray could never support her shopping. Sinclair patted his back. "Why the long face? We'll have dinner. I'll tell you a story."

Jimmy gave his name, and they walked to a table. Doyle sat and Jimmy took the seat across from her. That meant Gray had to sit next to her. His large frame brushed against her smaller one. He refused to pull away.

The server arrived and asked what they wanted to drink. Doyle replied, "Nothing. Thank you."

Gray said, "Have a drink."

She shook her head. "No, it's fine."

Jimmy ordered a scotch. "Gray, did you like the restaurant the other night?"

He paused. Jimmy wasn't asking for a real critique. "I liked my dinner. Did you?" Although he hadn't.

"It's one of my favorites. Somehow it's flown under the radar. I can always get a table."

Doyle asked, "Why were you out to eat?"

Gray said, "Monty and I went while Sofia went to see her sister."

"I meant Jimmy. You have a cook."

"My cook had the day off, so I took Tate out."

"Does my sister know why you're here?"

Jimmy shrugged. "I had a business meeting."

"Fine. Does she know Gray is here?"

"If I told her, she would know what your assignment is. I can't believe Kasper didn't insist on coming."

"Why? So all the girls would swoon over him? It would ruin my shots." She put the menu aside. "I'll have the Cobb salad."

Gray frowned. "That's all. The entrees look delicious." He looked over the menu. "I like the sound of the trout with yuzu marinade."

Doyle looked at his open menu. "The trout and what?"

"Yuzu. I had the juice in Japan."

Jimmy nodded. "That sounds good, but I'll have the beef."

"With the chanterelle."

"What? How do you know so much?" Doyle's tone was accusatory.

"I've traveled all over the world. Chanterelle is a wild mushroom. The peppery flavor should compliment the seasoned meat."

Jimmy smirked and laughed. "I'm not a foodie."

Gray forgot his knowledge was unusual even for wealthy people.

After they ordered, the silence forced Gray to speak. "Did you arrange for my credentials?"

"Yes. Although I'm not happy."

Jimmy shook his head and laughed. "I thought you two loved each other."

Gray felt his neck get hot, as Doyle seethed. "Jimmy!"

"Did I read the situation wrong? Because I have something." He reached under his collar and pulled out the Kane cross.

"Jimmy! Where did you get that?"

"It's Tate's something old. I borrowed it."

"You aren't a Kane."

"No, but... Does Gray know the lore?" Doyle shook her head. Jimmy continued, "This is the Kane Cross. It is magical. If the person wearing it kisses another, they will fall madly in love. I know because it happened to me at eighteen. I denied and fought my feelings for years."

"But I took the cross off before Gray kissed me."

Gray sat up. "You had that?"

"I wore it that night, but took it off the next morning."

Gray shut his eyes. He thought about the night he brought her home. She had a nightmare and kissed him. Did he believe the story Jimmy told? "Aren't lores fiction. Folklore."

"This isn't. It's been a curse to my family."

"How so?"

"My father fell in love when he was young, but he married my mother who he cares for but he loves the woman he kissed."

"Seriously." She had told him, but he didn't know jewelry was involved.

She nodded. Jimmy said, "And your uncle. Baxter fell for Ivy."

"It's probably a coincidence." Gray didn't want to believe.

Doyle shook her head. "Baxter didn't remember it was with him when he kissed Ivy. He figured it out after he fell head over heels."

Jimmy nodded. "It's true."

"It doesn't matter. I'm not kissing Gray. He doesn't want me."

The meals arrived, and the conversation stalled. Gray had never worried about hurting women's feelings when he moved on. Each relationship had started with an understanding. He had told Doyle his relationships never lasted, but his actions told a different story. He got tattoos for her. It was hard hiding his feelings and even harder to let her go.

He could deny it, but the cross Jimmy wore helped make sense of the confusion. It explained why he fell for her unlike countless others. He tasted the flavorful trout with Doyle was right next to him. Her presence triggered every sensor inside his body. He wanted to hold her or reach over to touch her. If the lore was true, he would never stop loving her.

A warmth flowed into his heart easing the tension. She must feel the same about him. Under her anger must be love. Love was an amazing feeling, but it would cost her a lifestyle and her family.

Jimmy said, "This beef is very good, especially for a hotel restaurant."

Gray could talk about food. Toned down. Could he keep a secret from her or would he have to tell Doyle the truth one day? "I've been to some very good ones. My meal is delicious. How's the salad?" To Gray ordering a standard menu item was a mistake, but he could tell by the way she picked at it, she was too bristly to eat.

"It's fresh."

"Gray, I'm inviting you to my wedding."

Doyle put down her fork. "How are you going to do that? My mother will see?"

"Your mother doesn't care who is on my guestlist. It includes business associates and friends."

"I'm not really your friend."

Jimmy shook his head. "I disagree. I hate seeing Doyle so unhappy, so I brought the cross because Philip Kane can't refute its power."

Doyle said, "Have you seen them together?"

Jimmy shook his head. "I've heard them talking. You know who it is?"

She nodded. Gray watched their exchange. "Why aren't you mad? Monty was angry about his father's infidelity."

Doyle said, "The cross. He can't help it. Maybe he should never have married and been lonely his whole life, but then the four of us wouldn't be here. What he should have done was fight his parents to marry the woman he loves."

Gray said, "But you wouldn't be here."

"True. Poor Jimmy can't imagine life without Tate."

Gray's life was headed down the same path, but said nothing.

Jimmy smiled. "I'm grateful for Philip's heartache. Gray told me about his writing."

Doyle held her fork in midair. "He did?"

"It's coming along. He has Oliver Sumner's influence, but I plan to make sure my boy Josh takes care of him."

Gray nodded. "Monty and Oliver grew up together." Oliver was indebted to Trista for her bestselling books.

"I'm glad it's working out for you." Jimmy Sinclair sounded like he meant it.

Gray nodded. "I have an editor and we're working on making it better. Meanwhile, I've started a second one."

Jimmy smiled. "He might be as famous as John Grisham or Sam Mazzarelli some day."

Doyle looked at Jimmy. "I didn't know you read."

"One or two books a year when I force myself to take a vacation. I'll read Gray's novel when he gives me a signed copy."

"Free?" Doyle frowned.

He smiled and nodded. "Then I'll buy enough copies to donate to every library in the state."

Gray's jaw dropped. Was he all talk?

"You don't believe me. I bet I can get Monty to buy enough copies for every high school library. Is it appropriate for high schoolers or will it get banned?"

"I didn't write any sex scenes if that's what you mean."

"Too bad." Doyle laughed.

Gray's heart felt lighter. It was the first time she relaxed enough to joke.

Jimmy waved to their server. "You two can stay and finish. I have a plane waiting." After he signed the check, he reached out his hand. "Gray, I've enjoyed getting to know you. You'll fly back together. Doyle, we'll talk when you get home." He kissed her forehead.

"Bye Jimmy."

Once he left they sat in silence.

Now Gray knows. Thanks for voting ⭐️