Kate stood with her back to him, phone pressed to her ear, wearing a smile Grayson hadn't seen on her all day.

"Don't say things like that, sweetheart…" she murmured, laughing softly.

Sweetheart… Sweetheart?!

Grayson's brow twitched. He walked toward her slowly, silently, jaw clenched, every step measured.

"I swear, I can't stop thinking about you either…" Her voice stayed soft, warm—almost caressing.

Grayson's stomach twisted. A sharp, stupid ache shot through his chest, like someone yanked on a loose wire.

Another pause.

"My love! I already told you that's not funny."

Grayson stopped half a meter behind her, eyebrows drawn tight, jealousy bubbling through him like acid.

Who the hell was my love? And why did she sound like she was absolutely smitten?

He was about to snatch the phone out of her hand when his own rang abruptly in his pocket. He let out a frustrated growl, yanked it out, and answered without taking his eyes off Kate.

"What the hell do you want?"

"