Having Grace

25.

Roman's P.O.V

I took a deep breathe as I sat at the giant dining table.

Grace had found me in one of the studies, organising one of the cabinets. She had gotten dressed in to some cotton shorts and a singlet and joined me.

She had then done what I had expected. The one hundred and one questions. I didn't mind. She was curious, it made me smile.

She had taken more time then I would have liked though when dinner was called. I had taken her to the proper dining room and as soon as I sat, it felt weird.

The table was too long for a family dining room. It wasn't the formal dining room. Maybe I'll purchase a different table, a smaller one.

Grace quietly ate her dinner as I sneaked in a look every now and then. She was strictly on water, as she had informed me earlier that her liquid diets were water, coffee and diet Coke.

She hasn't touched alcohol in a couple weeks and I had noticed. Her skin was glowing more, a healthier shine to it.

She had lost a little weight too, not that she needed to. She was small enough as it was. But I do recall a report saying she spent, about five hours in a gym on Sunday. It must be a spur of the moment thing for her, once every few weeks.

"You seem different." Grace said to me once she finished her dinner.

I frowned at that. Did I? I was trying not to be blunt and demeaning.

"Have you met someone?"

I glared at her. She just asked me that? In such a casual way?

"You could say that." I said carefully.

"Oh." I saw her thinking about it. Is she thinking to far in to this? "I thought so. You seem, happier."

I watched as she bit her lip for a quick second then smiled at me.

"I'm happy for you."

What? Is she speaking in riddles?

"Well, I don't want to intrude on that."

Intrude on what? "Pardon?" I am thoroughly lost.

"I'll keep myself invisible. I won't get in your way." She stood from the table and pushed her chair in. Someone had come out and collected our plates. We both waited till they left the room.

"I'll just stay in the room. Until I leave. Thank you for having me here." Grace gave me her small smile and with her fingers in her hands, clasped together, she left the dining room.

I groaned at her. What just happened? Is this what I've been doing to her these past couple months? Opening up a bit then slamming shut? I didn't like that.

I placed my head in my hand as I tried to fix this.

Was she expecting me to bring someone here for the weekend?

She has no idea about this event she was invited to.

It was a huge leap outside off my comfort zone and I had decided to compromise.

But why is it so hard to talk about what I really want?

I left the dining room and went back to the main study. I was caught up in organising all the cabinets, I had lost track of time. It was late at night and I was feeling tired.

I sat on the chair in front of my laptop, rubbing my forehead. This is so confusing. How do I rectify this?

I heard a small tap and the squeak of the door opening.

I peeked through my fingers to see Grace in front of me, her hands together in front of her.

"What's wrong?" I asked her as I dropped my hand.

She looked slightly embarrassed to tell me. Why would she have a need to be embarrassed? She told me her most embarrassing moment of her life, surely we have passed that discomfort stage?

"I, well, I, uh..."

I sat there, waiting patiently for her to finish. Was she trying to ask for something?

Grace wasn't exactly a short person, she was of average height, but to me she was short, but her legs, I've noticed just how long her legs really are several times, and even barefooted, no heels for more height, her legs were still quite long and slender in her little shorts.

"Just say it." I told her. I was getting cranky, I'm exhausted.

"I can't sleep." She finally blurted. "I have no problems with going to sleep, but, you're here and I'm here, and whenever we end the day together...."

I smiled at her. I know exactly where she was going with this. I got up from my chair and walked to her.

"I don't want to impose or anything... It's, I don't know, habit?" I watched her fidget as she went from one leg to another.

"And I was wondering, where... Where," I could feel I was distracting her. "Where... Will... You,"

Her breathing had become irregular. She looked so nervous. So young, well, she is young.

"Where would I be sleeping?" I finished for her.

Grace took her bottom lip and nodded, looking down. I put a finger on her chin and drew her head up, making her look at me.

"Where," I asked her in a soft tone. "Do you want me to sleep?"