Is This Shoulder Taken?

Chapter 5

I woke up the next morning earlier than usual. I wanted to savor being in this exquisite room a little longer. I will be going back home today after breakfast. I plan to spend time with the Carrington family without making a spectacle of myself.

Never had I imagined the events yesterday, that led me to staying overnight. I was so embarrassed. I must look a wreck after fainting twice. I tossed and turned last night, before drifting off to sleep. I tried to figure out a way to tell Greyson about me and Mark's broken engagement history.

I heard a soft knock at my door. "Come in?" I pulled the covers tightly around me. In walked Ava. I didn't mind her seeing my disheveled state.

Mrs. Carrington looked bright and chipper this morning. "I brought you a change of clothes and some toiletries I thought you might like, darlin'." She unloaded the bundle from her arms onto the bed. "Breakfast will be served in an hour. Sunday breakfast is a big tradition in our family, since the boys were little. And I'm happy you are here to join us for breakfast, since our picnic didn't go as planned." Ava's voice smiled.

"Thank you so much. I will get ready right away and make sure I'm in the dining room on time."
I quickly spoke up before she shut the door. I jumped out of bed and started assessing everything she brought.

She was kind not to tell me how disastrous I looked. I glanced in the bathroom mirror and almost scared myself. I didn't want to admit it, but I wanted to look presentable for Greyson. This is ridiculous, I never used to fuss about how I looked for Mark. Greyson is not even my boyfriend.

I showered and swept my hair  back behind one ear. I put on the eyelet sundress Ava left for me to wear. I clasped a strand of pearls around my neck and put on the matching pair of pearl earrings. These were real. I couldn't believe she let me wear something so expensive of hers. I felt like a real southern belle. Momma could never afford something like this. It made me a little teary eyed. I miss her.

I'm becoming fond of Ava Carrington. She is nurturing, thoughtful, and has a way of making me feel warm and fuzzy. Being here at Carrington Ranch makes me feel at home. I took a second look in the mirror to make sure everything was in place, before heading downstairs to breakfast. I was distracted as I made my way down the grand spiral staircase and ran straight into Greyson. He caught me in a strong grip before I fell.

I stammered. "Oh. . .o. . . I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. I was busy admiring the beautiful view in the foyer." What must he think of me? I keep falling in front of him since I got here.

He chuckled. "I seem to be picking you up, or catching you. I don't mind being of service." He held a glint in his eye. I couldn't help but blush. I wanted to hide.

He escorted me to the dining room. Everyone was already seated and waiting. I saw a few faces I wasn't expecting to see. I thought it was just going to be family. There were two now familiar faces from yesterday. I blinked, as I saw Mark West and his fiancée, Victoria Beaumont. I was also introduced to Victoria's parents, Julia and Edward Beaumont. What are they doing here?

Greyson walked me to my chair—I was in stunned silence from this surprise. He went and sat down in a chair across the table from me. This was way to much for me to process. Andrea sat next to me on my left, and Mrs. Beaumont sat to my right. Mark was in plain view, directly across the table from me, next to Greyson.

I could smack Mark for having the audacity to show his face here again, after yesterday. I wondered what he was thinking. I was getting ready to excuse myself from the table, when Mrs. Beaumont started chattering away about nothing important. But I didn't want to be rude.