Chapter 176: Not My Story to Tell

"Of course not, Clare. It's not my story to tell."

"Thank you." We're all saved from the soap opera that is my family. At least for today. I've worked too damn hard to get where I am to have that family fuck it up somehow. "So, what do we do now? I imagine you'll see a lot of him."

"I'll work it out," he says with authority. "You'll never see him again."

Is it possible? Would Grant choose me over his lifelong friend and business partner? I shouldn't get happy over a ruined friendship, but a thrill rises up at the thought someone picked me.

"I'll keep you far away from him for the length of the contract, and then when it's over no more deals."

I lean back in my chair shocked. This is what I get for thinking I'd be a first choice. "Didn't you say it's a five-year contract?"

Grant flinches and I hold out hope he sees how crazy this idea is.