The Arrangement (unenhanced Edition) by AnnaRCase (books to read now .txt) 📖

Amberleigh had just polished off her second breadstick without shame when Leo returned to the kitchen. His face looked even more grim than it had as he paced in between the island and the stove.

“Grayson left the office hours ago. In fact, early, like four p.m. And no one has a fuckin clue where he is.”

                Amberleigh got up and walked over to where Leo was wearing tracks into the pristine floor. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

                “Leo, I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation. No need to think the worst. Did you call Courtney and ask her if she’s seen him?”

                “Why would I call that woman? Grayson can’t stand her. If you are thinking, he’s fucking Courtney, no way.”

                Amberleigh leaned back against the counter, “Maybe she is taking him back or something. I mean she seemed friendly with him at the party.”

                Leo laughed, “Amber, Grayson ended their engagement after he caught that bitch cheating on him multiple times. The last of which, he came home from work early to surprise her one afternoon, and found her fucking one of her father’s business associates in their bed. Grayson didn’t want to fuck up Courtney’s reputation, as their families go way back, instead he just let the tabloids run with that shit about him being the cheater.”

                                “Fuck. I had no idea. That sucks.”

                Amberleigh believed Leo, because what reason did he have to lie to her at a time like this. It left her wondering if she had Grayson pegged wrong. So he wasn’t the man whore fucking his way through the Uptown Omega City, but it still didn’t mean he wanted to fuck her.

                Leo nodded, “Yes. So no fuckin way is Grayson with her. She hurt him pretty bad…I think I’m going to go look for him. Would you mind putting the left overs in the fridge?”

                Leo had already made up his mind to go look for Grayson. It seemed a drastic measure to go look for him at ten at only ten at night, in the middle of dinner, but it was clear Leo knew something she didn’t. He was already heading towards the front door jangling his car keys nervously in hand. She followed him to the door perplexed to say the least.

                “Yes I’ll take care of it. But Leo, don’t you think you’re overacting a bit?”

                “No. I’m not. But please call me immediately if Grayson shows up here.”

                “Yes of course I will,” she agreed, “Do you have any idea where he might be?”

                Leo gave her a tense smile, “A few.  But he shouldn’t be drinking a lot.”

                He went to open the door, but Amberleigh boldly placed herself in front of it. This cryptic shit was ending now. She had had enough.

                “No more bullshit Leo, tell me what’s wrong with Grayson.”

He sighed, “Why do you assume anything is wrong with him beyond him being an asshole?”

                He finished his statement with a grin, but she wasn’t feeling it. Not today, she wouldn’t’ fall for his sexy grin to distract her. Wouldn’t fantasize about running her tongue over that little chip in his  front tooth again.

                “You make sure he eats healthy, Leo. Like uber healthy. When you heard he passed out, you raced your ass back here and got mad at yourself. You are worried about him drinking too much. And you’re flipping the fuck out that he’s not home at ten p.m. Case in point, you didn’t even eat your dinner, and you’re running off to go looking for him. So what gives.”

                She of course failed to mention to Leo she’d broken into Grayson’s room and snooped through his shit and found his med stash. And that she’d eavesdropped over some of Grayson and Leo’s personal conversations as well. But those were just unimportant details at the moment really.

                “I knew you were smart as hell. I won’t stand here and lie to you Amber. But it’s also not my place to tell you. You’ll have to ask Grayson.”

                “Ok. Fair enough. But he won’t tell me shit…I’ll see you when you get back. Good luck.”

                “Thanks. See you later.”

                Leo slipped out the door with an apologetic look on his face. It was clear he was torn over the whole thing. But it really wasn’t his secret to tell. Amberleigh couldn’t help but wonder but if that door closing between she and Leo was once and for all. If the chef was shutting her out for good.