Emma brought him in close enough to whisper in his ear, “I can’t wait to have you.”

Chapter 22

A loving heart is the truest wisdom.

—Charles Dickens

He was crazy about her, and then she said that and took him right over the edge into utter insanity. He’d never felt this way about any woman ever. He’d never wanted to spend every waking second with anyone before her, and he was counting the minutes until he could be alone with her.

They ate Italian from their favorite local restaurant and watched Frozen, listening to Simone sing every word of every song at the top of her lungs.

While Emma tucked Simone in after the movie, Grayson found himself humming “Let It Go” while he washed the popcorn bowl and tidied up the living room.

As Emma walked back into the room, the buzzer to the door sounded. “Wonder who that is at this hour.” She went to the intercom.

“Hey, it’s me,” a male voice said. “I saw your lights on.”

“Come on up.” She buzzed him in. “My friend Troy,” she said for Grayson’s benefit. She opened the door and welcomed her handsome visitor with a big hug.

He returned her hug, lifting her right off her feet. “So glad you’re back! It’s been so boring around here this week.”

Grayson watched the scene unfold with an uneasy feeling unfurling inside him. Who was this guy who was so familiar with her?

Troy put her down and came to a halt when he saw Grayson sitting on one of the barstools at the counter that divided her kitchen and living room. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”

“Come meet Grayson,” Emma said. “Grayson Coleman, this is Troy Kennedy.”

Grayson shook Troy’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” He took in the other man’s dark hair and intense brown eyes, which quickly moved from him to Emma.

“You, too.”

“Gray is Colton’s cousin,” Emma added, her cheeks flushing with color.

Troy looked at her and then at him before returning his incredulous gaze to her. “Not you, too! Emma! Are you serious?”

His heated words had Grayson standing to put a possessive arm around her.

“I can’t even believe this,” Troy said, hands in his hair as he spun around to head for the door.

“Troy! Wait. Let me explain!”

“What’s there to explain? First Cameron, then Lucy and now you. I wish I knew what the hell was so special about these guys in Vermont.” He pulled open the door.

Emma went after him, grabbing his arm. “Don’t leave. Let’s talk about it.”