I filled the kitchen sink with hot, soapy water and frowned, realizing something I hadn’t noticed until now. I hadn’t seen any sign of a man around, and Grace hadn’t mentioned anyone.

I turned to her. “Is there a man in your life?”

Her eyes crinkled with humor. “The only men in my life are fictional or Braddocks.”

“You and Nate never became an item?” I asked as casually as I could.

“We’re just friends.” Her words didn’t ring true, just like they hadn’t eleven years ago.

Elsewhere in the house, I heard the snick of a door opening and the tread of heavy feet on the wooden floor. Panic flared across Grace’s face.

“Stay here,” she ordered, hurrying away.

My heart leaped as I heard her voice and then another, very male. I should have tuned out their conversation, but I was intrigued by what had gotten her off-kilter when she was usually calm. A moment later, I discovered the reason. Nate Braddock charged into the kitchen, all rugged handsomeness, with the grace of a lumbering bull.

He came up short when he saw me and dragged a hand over buzzed blond hair. “You.”

“Me,” I said weakly, wondering if it was too late to climb through the window. Of all the Braddocks, he’d always had the hottest temper. “How are you, Nate?”

He stomped toward me, his nostrils flaring. “I’d be better if you’d stayed where you belong. What the hell do you think you’re up to, coming here and stirring up all this old crap? Do you have any idea what it’s doing to Liam?”

“I have no intention of hurting him again,” I said, but it didn’t diminish Nate’s anger.

“You’re hurting him just by being here,” he snarled. “I speak for our whole family when I say we want nothing to do with you.”

“Nate.” Grace stepped between us, her hand on his chest. “Kennedy is a guest in my house and I won’t let you yell at her.”

“Y-you,” he sputtered, turning red in the face. He didn’t move a muscle though. For all his temper, Nate wasn’t the type to be physically violent. Especially not around Grace. “How could you—”

Grace’s spine was infused with steel. “I’m afraid if you can’t be polite, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Nate gave her a look of disbelief and stomped out of the kitchen, the sound of his footfalls echoing through the house as he made his way to the exit.

“I’m sorry,” Grace said. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with that.” Her face creased with concern. “Are you okay?”

My lower lip wobbled, but I managed to nod. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. I deserve to hear whatever he has to say.”