Chapter 23

“But I… I made you lose face in front of everyone, even Greg…”

“That’s what they did. It had nothing to do with you, right?”

“It did have something to do with me!” Mia shouted internally. This was the first time in her life she desperately wanted to take responsibility for something, but the words wouldn't come.

Grace ignored Mia's bitter expression. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I still have to work.” She walked around Mia to the other side of the road and began sweeping. Although Grace didn’t know why Mia had sought her out, she had no intention of forgiving her for that day’s events.

As Grace swept, Chase from the fleet suddenly appeared. His face was slightly red. With great courage, he said, “Grace, Claire said you don’t want a relationship now, but… but… I’m sincere. I’m willing to wait for you. When… when you are ready for a relationship, you can look for me.”

He seemed to reconsider, quickly correcting himself. “No, it’s not that you can look for me, but that I’ll be here, waiting for you…”

Grace stared, dazed. “You could find someone more suitable. I’m just a street sweeper. I don’t earn much, my job has no future. I’m not good wife material.”

“But I like you.” Chase’s face seemed to redden further. “Claire said you don’t have a boyfriend. I’ll wait.”

“But I…” She started to refuse, but his flushed face and nervous expression stunned her. At least this man, in this moment, seemed sincere, and, as Claire had said, honest. Such a man, generally speaking, would likely make a good husband and father.

But… if he knew about her prison sentence, he'd probably run a mile.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind. “Sister, won’t you introduce us?”

Grace turned to see Jason approaching. His black down jacket, trousers, and sneakers were all from discount stores, yet he looked stylish. His expression, however, was… predatory, was the word that came to mind. He showed no outward anger, but something told Grace he wasn't as calm as he appeared.

“Of course,” she replied automatically. “This is my colleague, Jay. Why are you here?”

“I finished work early, so I came to see you,” Jason said, taking Grace’s left hand and rubbing his palms over hers. “Your hands are cold.”

“It’s okay.” Working in the cold winter, her hands were constantly exposed to the wind. She was used to it and rarely wore gloves as they hampered her work.

Jason, however, held both her hands, gently warming them, rubbing one, then the other.

Chase watched their intimate interaction, his frown deepening. “Grace, is this… your brother?”

“Yes,” Grace nodded.

Jason glanced at Chase and lazily put his arms around Grace’s waist. “When do you finish work?”

“In half an hour. I’ll be done after sweeping this road,” Grace replied.

“Alright.” Jason smiled. “I’ll wait for you.” He glanced at Chase. “You should let her finish,” he said. “Have a good day.”