Regret Came Too Late

Ed opened his mouth to explain. "I....."

His voice was quiet, probably because he knew people were outside. He simply leaned in and hugged her.

Grace took his hand and led him into the bedroom. "We've got company tonight. If you don't want to see anyone, just relax here. Tell me what you're hungry for, and I'll save you some."

He was surprisingly good-natured about it and stood in the bedroom, saying, "Don't stay up too late."

Grace found that remark amusing and walked to the front door in the dark.

Outside, Yancey was staring at the door. Joanne, next to him, wasn't saying anything either. They were both dying to know who Grace's secret boyfriend was. Joanne spoke up first. "Mr. Henderson, have you ever met Grace's boyfriend?" Yancey's gaze seemed as dark as night. He reached for the doorknob and was just about to open it when Grace opened the door from the inside.

"Come on in, guys."

Joanne and Yancey clambered in together. They both looked around, but the man was nowhere to be seen. Had he really bailed to the bedroom?

Was he really that ashamed to be seen?

Yancey knew how guys usually were. If the man were good-looking, he'd be dying for Grace to show him off to everyone.

He sat on the couch, his eyes sneaking glances at the closed bedroom door every so often

He couldn't help but wonder.

as she pulled all the

likes, and we'll set

wasn't too spicy so that Ed wouldn't

kind of all over the place, like she didn't really know what her

"Hey, why don't you ask him what he's in the mood for or if he's

her phone and texted Ed a picture of the food. "What do

replied quickly, "Anything's

she just put the stuff she'd picked out to the

Yancey

them

asked casually, "Are you

your boyfriend hiding? e

her utensils and started

As far as I can tell,

of a jab for Yancey, as he used to be Grace's

her first time dating was basically saying

a deep breath, almost bending

and started eating

a

realized Yancey had actually