Page 19 (1/2)
With a chuckle, Gray said, "Well my conversation with Claire ure out why she was grilling reatly relieved when Ipregnant and all I was terrified of letting her down andher cry She looked so serious at the tiher friend"
They talked about other bands that they both liked, and Suzy was surprised to find that their tastes were pretty si about their arguns, she saw they were getting closer to Charleston "So where do you live in Charleston? I’ve been there couple of times for weekend trips"
"I have a place in the French Quarter Have you been there?"
"Wooo, baby, I’ht a beautiful bracelet in a little shop there a few years ago That’s a gorgeous place Are you keeping your place there even though you will be living in Myrtle Beach?"
"For now, yes I’ back and forth between the two cities a lot and I’m rather attached to my place there There are only twelve condominiums in my complex and it’s located in a residential area full of historic ho like strolling around in the quarter on a Sunday My usual routine when I wasn’t traveling was to stop at one of the outdoor coffee houses there and have a cup of coffee, a pastry and read the paper I could sit there for hours during the spring and fall During the summer, you have a briefbefore the day starts to heat up"
Suzy couldn’t help but smile at Gray’s obvious love of the city She could picture hi exactly as he described and she also knew that she’d love to be with hih the city Maybe when this whole mess was behind theh, when have I ever wanted to be nor couple Yeah that had a better ring to it
Suzy looked out the ith interest as they drove through the city Charleston was called the Holy City, and it was obvious when you drove around how it got its nickname Churches were more numerous here than anywhere she’d ever traveled to The architecture was breathtaking and the colors vibrant Stately old homes kept in pristine condition surrounded by pal transported to another time and place The Ashley River made a perfect backdrop for Battery Park As they passed White Point Gardens and entered the French Quarter Section, she sighed in pleasure
This section of Charleston was probably the most suited to her personality It had almost a hippy feel to it She was surprised that Gray had a home here This was probably the most expensive area to live in the city, but she would have expected soht arrow she’d always thought hi couard addressed Gray by nae and turned off the ignition
"Home sweet hos later I’m on the top floor, but luckily I have an elevator so it shouldn’t be too hard for you" He opened his door and stepped out, opening the back door to get her crutches from the backseat As he helped her froive her a quick kiss as if afraid she’d protest the contact
Soon they were in the elevator going froe floor to the second floor The hallway they stepped out into was sleek, and she counted four other doors before they came to one at the end of the hall and Gray stuck a key card into the slot on the door When he swung the door open, he stepped back to allow her to enter the hallway first She instantly liked the clean lines of his ho looked et a better view of the living-roo on the sofa looked at her curiously Gray al her sudden halt "What’s the roaned out loud "Mo here?"
~~~
Suzy wanted to turn around and leave as fast as her crutches would carry her Even as she seriously considered doing just that, his parents rose fro Gray’s father was an older version of Gray and Nick He had dark hair with silver at the temples and he was tall and well-built He wore a pair of faded jeans and a blue polo shirt When she looked at his h or cry What is it that they say about the bond between little boys and theirhis mother Suzy didn’t look like his ht, but they could be twins in their choice of clothing Gray’s ht, skinny jeans tucked into a pair of black spike heeled knee boots, a button dohite blouse was left loose and a cropped black jacket gave the whole look a fashion punch She had long blond hair that flowed in waves down her back and perfectly applied makeup that showed off a set of eyes that looked exactly like Gray’s
When she felt Gray tap on her shoulder, she realized that while she’d been studying the the introductions She felt her face flush in embarrassment Luckily Gray’s father stepped forward and held his hand out "Hi Suzy, I’m John Merimon and this ishis smile and then turned to Gray’sthe hand that Suzy had extended to her; she stepped forward and threw her ar her crutches and couldn’t return her hug and truthfully she was too surprised to try Victoria pulled back still holding onto her shoulders and said, "Honey, it’s so nice toGray’s es"
Suzy couldn’t help but laugh at Gray’s moan behind her Gray’s father walked over to his son and put a sympathetic arm around his shoulders "Youron and ride the hurricane force winds out"
"Very funny, John," Gray’s mother snorted, but Suzy could see the love in her expression as she looked at her husband "Oh geez, look at us standing here running our irl is forced to stand here on her crutches and listen to us" Shooing the men out of the way, Victoria ushered Suzy to the couch She pushed an otto Suzy’s foot up on it Standing back with her hands on her hips, she surveyed her handiith pride "Now Suzy, what can I get you to drink? Would you like water, soda or soe in?"
"Water would be great, Mrs Merimon, thanks"
"Oh God, please call me Vicky, when I hear Mrs Meriives me a serious case of road rash"
Gray’s father rolled his eyes as he walked to the living room to take a seat With a smirk, Gray clapped his father on the back as he walked by "Force of nature, right dad? Guys, I don’t believe I caught the reason for the aed today?"
His mother had returned frolass of wine for herself She perched on her husband’s chair and after taking a drink of her wine, she said, "I told you that Nicky told us everything, and before you rip him limb from limb, remember you boys can’t keep a secret fro" S wrong growing up, I knew the minute I looked into their chubby little faces they had been up to no-good"