GRACE.
“Oh my god, Gracie,” NK muttered covering her face with her both hands after I finished narrating to her and Jody what was going on. To NK mostly, because Jody knew pretty much already.
They were the only people I could bare my souls to this way. I knew they had my back, and cared genuinely about my happiness.
NK and I sat on the long couch, while Jody leaning forward on the love couch. Laurel was napping peacefully on the bed.
“I’m so… I don’t know what to say,” NK exhaled loudly and held my hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “How do you feel about this?” she asked gazing with genuinely worried eyes at me.
“Yes, Gracie, what do you plan to do, cuz like you said, he’s not looking like he’s going to back down just cuz you tell him to.” Jody chipped in, hugging herself repeatedly. She still appeared much shaken with what happened with Laurel.
I drew in a long breath. I totally had no idea of a way forward. “I really do not know, girls. But I still fell pissed. How can he just appear from nowhere like that after seven years? I’m doing great now, my baby is as well, and we don’t need him or his money or anything else!”
“Don’t say that Grace,” NK spoke softly, caressing the back of my palms. “Let’s be logical. It wasn’t his fault as well according to what he told you, and I think he cares very much. Besides, you can’t separate him from his child.”
“I’ve thought of all that NK, trust me.” I breathed. “But I also need more time, I can’t just jump into his arms simply because it wasn’t his fault.”
“We understand, babe. Take your time.” NK cooed.
“Besides,” I continued, “He’s someone whose life is out in the public. I don’t want anything disrupting my child’s normal life.”
“We get it, Grace, but have you considered the fact that he would’ve been able to find you if you had agreed to tell him your name that night?” NK pointed out, and Jody nodded in agreement.
I relaxed my back on the couch and let out a miserable sigh. “So what do you suggest I do guys?”
“Talk.” NK suggested.
“Have sex?” Jody grinned, and NK and I sent her a deathly glare.
“C’mon girls, why so serious?” said Jody. “I was only trying to lighten up the mood. Moreover, Connor Shelby is too hot to not want to have sex with, though, truth be told.” she shrugged giving us that you-know-me-already stare.
“Alright girls,” I said getting up, “Thank you for your wise counsel, I better start getting ready for work.”
“I’ll wait till Laurel wakes and take her home.” NK nodded at me sitting more comfortably on the couch. “Alexa will take care of the kids till I get home.”
“Thanks NK. You too, Jody.”
“Then I will be going for a date.” Jody announced, and NK and I rolled our eyes.
I got dressed and rushed to work, only to meet everyone gazing at me like I was a new recruit or like I suddenly fell from the sky.
I didn’t understand what was going on until Ms. Emma Lee came out of her office.
“Listen up, everyone.” she spoke up calling our attention. “Alpha Connor Shelby agreed to do the interview on the condition that Ms. Grace Jones would be the one conducting it.”
What? I yelled mentally, completely thrown off guard.
“Nice work, Ms. Jones.” she smiled at me for the first time since I started working at NAs Daily.
“Damn it, Connor Shelby!” I muttered under my breath.
“Sorry I didn’t get that?” Ms. Emma walked closer to my cubicle.
“Uhm, sure, Ms. Emma.” I stuttered looking for the right words. “But I’m on permanent nightshifts, so..-”
“Yes, yes, we considered that as well, hence, you’ll be relieved of work this instance so you may go home to prepare yourself for tomorrow,” she explained, talking too fast. “Ms. Steph would hand over what she has so far to you, and our photographer, Chris, would meet you at home by nine in the morning. The interview starts by ten, don’t be late. Any questions?”
I shook my head indicating a no, even though I had like a million questions running through my mind: why would Alpha Connor pick me?
Why are you guys okay with it? What do you expect me to say to him?
“And don’t worry,” she was about leaving but stopped and turned to me again. “I’ll be working on the article myself, just make sure you probe him on the question of that new woman in his life. Everyone at NAs Daily is counting on you, Ms. Jones. Take the rest of the day off after the interview. Hand over the materials to Chris. Get moving, now.”
She finished, immediately reassuming her no-nonsense demeanor before sauntering back to her office.
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding, while silently cursing Connor Shelby for trying so hard to make my life more and more difficult.