Husband With Benefits-Chapter 904: Another Man

She’d spent the entire day crying her heart out for another man—the love of her life, no less. And what had he done? Grant clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration as he stomped towards his car. He should have walked away, should have left her to grieve in peace. But no. He’d gone and tried to console her. As if he knew how. And then, he’d pulled her into his arms. Okay, so sha had been comforted, but like a jerk, when she thanked him, what did he do? He kissed her! Calling himself a fool hundred times would not be enough.

He nearly kicked the car out of sheer frustration but thought better of it and leaned against the door instead.

He was furious—furious with himself for losing control, for stepping over a line he had assured himself he would not cross. But he was equally angry at her, though he knew he had no right to be. What kind of person kisses someone just after they’ve spent hours weeping for someone else? He knew she wasn’t thinking straight that she was drowning in grief, and yet the memory of her lips on his was branded into his mind, refusing to let him forget how wrong it all felt. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

And adding to all this was the irrational jealousy clawing at his insides.

The man she had been mourning wasn’t just any man— it had been the love of her life. Someone who had been sick for a long time. The one she had probably dreamt of growing old with.

He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. What had he been thinking? The truth was, he hadn’t been thinking. Not clearly, at least. He’d acted on impulse, on the ache he had been feeling after seeing her like that. And now? Now he was left with a tangle of guilt, anger, and something he wasn’t quite ready to name.

With a frustrated growl, he yanked open the car door and was about to sit inside when he heard her call out to him! Dam* it! He’d planned to run.. ugh, leave here before she realized that he was gone.

He inhaled slowly and then turned around, pushing at the door to close it back. Nope as he looked at her again, she was just as breathtaking while smiling as she was crying. It was official. He had lost his intelligence. Why else would he be so lost just by looking at her.

And then she smiled tremulously, his heart stuttered again. Maybe he had contracted a heart disease. Dave did nag him a lot to take care of his heart.

But that was beside th point because she was now saying something,"Hey, I just... I wanted to thank you. For earlier." Her gaze flicked to his shirt, and she winced. "And I’m sorry about, you know, the soggy mess I left on your shirt. I didn’t realize how much I—" She cut herself off, laughing weakly. "I’m sorry."

Grant waved it off, forcing a casualness he didn’t feel. "Don’t worry about it. I’ve survived worse things than a wet shirt." He tried to match her weak smile but faltered. Nope, he could not do all this fake thing. Clearing his throat, he looked down for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "Actually, I should be the one apologizing. For this morning. I didn’t realise you were in... so much pain.

"It’s okay. I know you were worried. And... maybe I needed that. Someone to pull me out of my head for a moment and not worry about my fragility. It was a good thing, actually."

Grant nodded and stepped back, or tried to because his own car was obstructung his way. As Innocensa stepped back, ready to leave, Grant couldn’t help but ask," Is that why you’ve been late all week?"

Innocensa stilled at the question and nodded," Todd was... he was on heavy pain medication most of the time which made him foggy. And he wouldn’t eat anything. He’d only really be lucid for a few hours in the mornings and that was the only time I could convince him to eat something. So, I made it a point to be there for his last days. I thought I’d prepared myself for his death. But even so, I was just...unprepared I guess."

"I’m really sorry for your loss, Innocensa. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you."

She gave him a small, grateful smile, though her eyes shimmered, "Thank you."

Grant hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should press further. "Are you... are you okay now? I mean, did you at least eat something today?"

Before she could answer, her stomach growled audibly, and almost immediately, his own followed suit, echoing hers. They both froze for a beat before bursting into laughter, the sound cutting through the heaviness of the moment.

"Well," she said, covering her mouth as she tried to stifle her laughter, "I guess that answers your question."

Grant chuckled, shaking his head. "Seems like we both skipped a meal or two." He tilted his head toward the main road. "There’s this little diner a few blocks down. Not fancy, but the food’s good. Want to join me?"

Grant cursed his own mouth. What was wrong with him? Why was his mouth yapping off its own accord and asking her out for dinner?

Innocensa hesitated. "I don’t know. I should probably—"

"Take care of yourself?" he interrupted gently. "It’s been a long day, and I think you could use a decent meal."

She gave him a look, half amused and half uncertain. But then, she sighed and nodded. "Okay. Dinner sounds good. But only if you let me pay."

Grant grinned. "As a gentleman I should argue but I doubt that would go well over with you. Next time, I’ll pay. Deal. Now let’s go before our stomachs start arguing louder than we do."

He walked around the car and opened the passenger door for her, and as she slid into the car, he caught a faint smile on her face. For the first time that day, it felt like maybe—just maybe—he’d done something right.