Chapter 3

Gray steps out of the elevator.

I just stare at him.

He looks tired.

Really tired.

But that’s it.

No emergency.

No breakdown.

No reason for Claire and half his social circle to be standing in my doorway like somebody died.

Gray looks at my bag.

“You’re leaving?”

I almost laugh.

“Yes.”

Claire folds her arms.

“See?”

I look at her.

“See what?”

She gives Gray a look.

“Exactly what I told you.”

Gray rubs the back of his neck.

“Lena, can we talk?”

“I have to go.”

“To the book thing?”

I stop.

“The launch.”

“Right.”

Claire lets out this little laugh.

“Careful, Gray. Apparently that’s a very important distinction.”

I ignore her.

Gray looks at me.

“I had the worst game of my career last night.”

“I know.”

“I threw three picks.”

“I know.”

“We lost because of me.”

“I know.”

He looks frustrated now.

“And you’re still going?”

I blink.

“Yes.”

Claire actually smiles.

“There it is.”

I turn to her.

“What?”

“The priorities.”

I laugh once.

“My priorities?”

“You heard me.”

She gestures toward Gray.

“He gets humiliated in front of the entire country, and you’re worried about signing picture books.”

“My book.”

“Sure.”

She shrugs.

“Your book.”

I look back at Gray.

“You knew about this launch.”

“I did.”

“For six weeks.”

“I know.”

“So why are we having this conversation?”

“Because things changed.”

“No. You lost a game.”

His face hardens.

Claire cuts in immediately.

“Wow.”

I look at her.

“What now?”

“Nothing. I just love how casual you are about it.”

“About what?”

“His career.”

I stare at her.

Then I laugh.

“His career?”

“Yes, Lena. His career. The one millions of people actually watch.”

There it is.

Mason looks away.

Nobody says anything.

I look at Gray.

“Say something.”

He does.

Just not what I want.

“She’s not completely wrong.”

For a second, I honestly think I heard him wrong.

“What?”

Gray sighs.

“I’m not saying your work doesn’t matter.”

Claire mutters, “Here we go.”

He keeps talking.

“I’m saying this isn’t the same.”

My chest goes tight.

“What isn’t?”

He looks at me like this should be obvious.

“An NFL season and a kids’ book launch.”

I just stare at him.

Behind him, Claire gives this tiny shrug like, finally.

I nod.

“Okay.”

Gray frowns.

“Okay what?”

“Now I get it.”

“Lena—”

“No. I get it.”

I point at him.

“Your job matters.”

Then I point at myself.

“Mine is cute.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“It’s exactly what you said.”

Claire sighs.

“God, you always do this. Nobody said you can’t draw your books.”

I look at her.

“My books?”

She smiles.

“You know what I mean.”

“I do.”

That’s the problem.

I grab my bag.

“I’m done.”

Gray steps toward me.

“With what?”

I look right at him.

“With us.”

The hallway goes quiet.

Gray actually looks confused.

“You’re breaking up with me because I lost a game?”

I laugh.

“No.”

Claire jumps in.

“Gray, don’t. She wants a reaction.”

I look at her.

Then at him.

And of course he listens.

Of course he does.

“You want to know if I ever loved you?” I ask.

Gray’s face changes.

I reach into my coat pocket and pull out the velvet box.

Nobody says a word.

“I brought this last night.”

Gray looks at the box.

“What is that?”

I open it.

His face goes completely still.

“I was going to ask you to marry me.”

Claire stops smiling.

Gray looks at me.

Then at the ring.

“You were going to propose?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why did you leave?”

I actually laugh.

“Are you serious?”

Claire says, “It’s a fair question.”

I look at her.

“Of course you think it is.”

Then I close the box.

Gray takes a step closer.

“Lena.”

“No.”

I put the ring back in my pocket.

“You wanted proof.”

His face goes pale.

“You had it.”

I grab my bag.

“Now move.”