Gray walked away from the marina, but eventually went underground and took the T to the Whitby office building. He mulled over what the man said. The first was he couldn't guarantee Mrs. Kane would ever like him. As much as he respected Philip Kane, Gray didn't have a kind opinion of the woman who gave birth to Doyle.

On the executive floor, he stopped at the secretary's desk. "Is he available?"

"I'll see." She picked up the phone. "Mr. Hoffman is here." She looked at him. "Go right in."

As he entered, Monty looked up from his computer. "Good. I need your help." He paused and looked at Gray. "Where were you?"

"Sailing with Mr. Kane."

"How did that go?" Monty smirked.

"I'll tell you all about it. What do you need?"

"The pasta dish. What did you say about it?"

"It was too oily. Lacked flavor. Don't forget the focaccia was incredible."

"And the hummus. I'd like to pick up a takeout order every night. So Kane. What's he like?"

Gray nodded. "Nicer than your old man."

Monty scoffed. "That's a low bar."

"He reminds me of Petersen, but his wife is nothing like Mrs. Petersen."

Monty laughed. "There is only one Bea." The colorful woman had cared about Monty when his old friends had given up on himself. She had helped bring him and Sofia together.

"He pulled me aside and told me I would have to support her. His money isn't hers. So if I can't make it as an author, I'll need an impressive job. Will you give me one?"

"You know I have your back. Was that all he said?"

"He asked me to wait a year to propose, but I should have an income by then. Then he said her mother likes to shop for gowns and she needs to attend certain events."

"Looks like you'll need a tuxedo." Gray frowned. "If you love her, you'll go with her."

"Her brothers haven't accepted me."

"We'll invite them to dinner at our house. I'll buy the hummus from the restaurant last week but make the rest."

Gray smiled, then immediately frowned. "She doesn't know. I didn't tell her about the year wait or the fact she'll be middle class."

Monty smiled. "I never thought you would want to settle down. Don't worry she's young. The time will be good for both of you."

"It'll take me that long to find a place to live. There's no way she can live in a basement."

"The girl you met liked the basement, but I understand. Sofia might not."

"I know. Love is hard."

"But it's worth it. If it isn't, then it's not love."

"Great advice. Remind me when I'm frustrated."

Monty winked. "That's what Doyle is for."

"Stop. I'm worried she'll discover the truth."

Monty frowned. "I've thought of that. We'll deal with it. Don't worry." He looked at his watch. "Let's get out of here. The girls missed you while you were gone."

"You need to finish your restaurant review."

"I will. Come on." Monty handed him the car keys. "You're still my driver."

Once home, Sofia wanted to know about the sailboat. He didn't tell her about his agreement with Mr. Kane. It didn't seem right since he hadn't told Doyle.

While Monty and Sofia discussed their dinner party, Gray played with Ana. A part of him felt disappointed about waiting a year for an engagement. He wanted it all right away. As he chased after giggling Ana, he wondered what his and K's child would look like. Thinking of her, he texted her. Hoping she was napping, he didn't expect a response.

When his phone buzzed, he held it up. "I'm going downstairs." With one foot out the door, he answered, "K. What did he say to you?"

"Nothing. He just said you had a pleasant chat and reiterated that he couldn't control my mother's opinion."

"I'm afraid of that woman, but I like your father."

She sighed. "You do."

"Yes. Remember when I gave you my phone number."

"Yeah."

"I was being a jerk. I didn't like the way I felt about you. It was confusing. Anyway, I want you to know if I can't call you back I will. I will never not want to."

"I expected another dear Katherine text."

He laughed. "Is that what you called it?"

"No, I just made it up. What did he say?"

Gray sighed. "A lot but I would rather tell you in person."

"Then come get me."

"You've been away. Shouldn't you have dinner with your family?"

"According to my mother's Instagram for my sister's wedding, they are at a food tasting tonight to decide on the menu. So if my mother is busy, then my father is out. I don't know where Kasper is."

"Okay. I'll be right there."

If they weren't hiding, he could ring the bell. When he arrived and reached for the button, he felt jittery. The vibration went through his finger.

The same older man opened the door. He had been in the house once before, when he picked her up for a photography job.

He cleared his throat. "I'm here for Doyle." When he looked up at movement. Her smile illuminated as she bounced down the stairs.

"Percy, this is Gray. I'm going out for the evening."

"Good evening, Miss. Doyle."

Gray said, "Good evening."

As they walked to the car, she stopped. "I should have invited you in. You could meet Mrs. Moran."

"Another time." Never, he thought.

After he closed the passenger door and sat in the driver's seat, Doyle looked at him. "Tell me everything."

"Do you want to go out or get takeout?"

"We aren't dressed for a restaurant."

Gray laughed. "It depends on the restaurant."

"Another time. Can we go to your house?"

His phone buzzed with a text from Sofia. "Sofia wants to know if we'll join them."

"Okay. Sure. When can we talk?"

"It depends on when dinner is ready." He asked what time and put the car in drive. Once in the garage, he looked at his phone. "We have time to talk."

"I'm feeling nervous."

Gray shook his head. "Your mother should make you nervous."

She followed him into his apartment and looked around. "I missed this place."

He smiled. "You say that every time you step inside. I missed you."

She laughed. "We were together today."

"I know but I couldn't do this." He pulled her body into him and kissed her, hopefully erasing all her doubt.

She pulled back first. "Are you trying to distract me?"

"I hope all but one part won't be a surprise."

"Okay."

"Sit." He sat and patted the cushion. She sat next to him. "Your father told me you don't have money."

"It's true. I own stock in the company, but I would never sell it. I have money I've earned including some dividends."

Gray nodded. "It was his way of telling me I have to support you. I can never support you the way you are used to. I've seen the way you shop."

Her purchases in LA shocked him.

"Okay. What else?"

"He gave me a year to make it as an author or get a job."

"A year?"

"Yes, and I agreed to wait a year before we talk about marriage."

Her chin dropped. "A year?"

"K, it's fine. You're young and we'll use the time to get to know each other."

She frowned. "He wants us to use the time to fall out of love."

"Then we'll disappoint him. We can spend time together. We won't be apart. Plenty of people date for a year or longer."

"So a year."

"And I asked Monty to give me a job when the time comes."

"Will you hate it?"

He shook his head. "No." Yes, as much as Monty does. "Are we good?" She nodded. "And Monty and Sofia are planning a dinner party for your siblings."

"Anything else?"

"Because I'll never afford them. Your father let me know your mother will buy your gowns for necessary events."

"And you'll be with me."

He smiled. "I won't be in the loading zone."

She sighed. "I can't decide if my father is being agreeable or not."

"Let's go upstairs. Monty knows the details, but it's up to you to tell Sofia or keep it private."

"You told Monty?"

Gray nodded. "I had to ask for a job. Come here." He held her. Once her hazel rings met his he said, "I love you."

She brushed his lips. "And I love you."

Phew! Thanks for voting ⭐️