Drake didn't hear from Grace until Annie was found and she came to New York for her welcome home party. He didn't dare approach her having had his letters unanswered and his calls dismissed. He'd known he'd taken a risk with her, but he never expected the coldness he'd received in return.

That's why he nearly choked on his drink when she came up to him at the party.

"Goodness, are you all right?"

"Yes," he said with a cough. "You startled me."

"I'm sorry… for more than just startling you."

Drake looked down, not sure of how to reply cordially.

"How are you?"

"I'm glad Annie is home safe."

"Me, too."

"How's Washington?"

"Hard to say. Fine, I suppose. I've spent so much time helping with Annie's search I can't comment much on my actual job. President Roosevelt has been gracious about it all."

"That's good to hear."

Grace sighed. She hadn't really expected him to be enthused to see her. "Drake, can we find a place to talk?"

"I really ought to keep an eye on the dinner guests."

"Mr. Warbucks made it clear that we're all guests here tonight. You have the night off."

"Butler's habit."

With a nod, she said, "I understand."

He remained cool as she turned to walk away, but his resolve soon broke. He'd missed her terribly. He missed his friend more than he was disappointed she had no romantic interest in him.

"Miss Farrell… wait."

She turned.

"How about a drink?"

With a soft smile, she rejoined his side.

. . .

"I'm sorry about what I said the night you left," Drake said on the ship's deck once the initial awkwardness subsided. "I was out of line. There were better moments. I shouldn't have said anything while you were so upset."

Covering his hand with hers, she said, "I'm glad you told me. I'm sorry I didn't react as kindly as I should have."

"You reacted better than I ever imagined you would."

"I still don't know what to say about it all… that's why I never returned your letters or your calls. I didn't want to say the wrong thing or make matters worse. Then it got to the point where I hadn't said anything for so long that it would have been strange to all of a sudden respond."

"You were busy looking for Annie."

"That, too. But I could have made time."

"Really, Miss Farrell. It's all right."

Looking out at the water, Grace said, "It seems strange now that you should be calling me 'Miss Farrell'."

"Under the circumstances, I shouldn't call you anything else."

Biting her lip, she said after a moment, "I wish I could… It's not that…" She took a breath. "I care about you so much, Drake. I've missed you terribly. You've been so involved in my life for years. I tell you everything. All things considered, I should return the feelings you have for me. Maybe a part of me does. But then the other part…"

Turning his palm over to hold her hand, he said, "You're in love with Mr. Warbucks. I don't expect you to pretend otherwise."

"But I shouldn't be. He doesn't love me. I had to watch him propose to Mrs. Kelly."

"I think he does love you," he said, though it pained him. "He's too stubborn and pigheaded to admit it."

"I'm not so sure anymore. I spent a lot of time with him while he was in Washington. I don't think he's happy about marrying Mrs. Kelly. I don't think he has any interest at all in getting married. And I should have known that all along. I've never seen him date before now. He's married to his work. He made room for Annie, but I don't think a wife fits into the mix. He's said countless times how he's only doing this for Annie."

"I've seen how he looks at you, Miss Farrell. I don't think he's dated because he's had you by his side all this time."

Raising an eyebrow, Grace questioned, "Why aren't you telling me what a terrible person he is and that I deserve someone so much better?"

"Because I love you, too, and that means I want you to be happy."

Frowning, she said, "I want you to be happy, too. That's why I should be saying yes to this… whatever it is. My chances with Mr. Warbucks have passed despite how he may or may not feel. That doesn't change my wanting a family. Who better than you?"

"Would you really be happy with me?"

"I wouldn't be unhappy. I might have never considered romantic feelings for you before but that doesn't mean they can't grow."

"And what about your career? What about mine? Not many people are looking for butlers these days. I'm not qualified for anything else. Besides, I have my own loyalty to Mr. Warbucks. Would you be able to live in the house with him and his wife? Especially if you took back your old job?"

She gave this thought for a while, ultimately having to admit the truth. "No… I wouldn't be happy."

"So, that settles it. You and I will only remain friends. I'm all right with that."

"You're a wonderful man, Drake. Really, the best. I don't know what's wrong with me that I've never even contemplated the two of us together. We're more in the same league than I could ever dream of with Mr. Warbucks. You know it's not his money I'm after."

He chuckled. "I know. I can't say I completely understand why you're so attached to him, but then again, I'm not a young woman."

Laughing as well, she said, "It's not something I can even explain myself. Perhaps it's having spent so many late nights with him. He cares more than he lets on. Sometimes when I'm alone with him it feels like we're in perfect sync… just like we belong together. Like time stands still."

She stopped when he looked down, apologizing immediately after. "You don't want to hear all this. I wasn't thinking."

"It's all right. I think I understand."

"It doesn't matter now anyways. He's engaged."

"I hope you'll find happiness with someone someday. You deserve someone who loves you as much as you're capable of loving others."

"I wish the same for you," she said, a glint of tears in her eye. "I will forever be sorry that it couldn't be me."

"As I said, so long as I have you as my friend, I'm happy."

"I promise from now on I'm going to write to you at least once a week. You better promise the same."

Covering his heart with one hand and raising the other, he swore. "I promise."

"It's going to be difficult to leave again."

"Are you staying for the wedding?"

"I don't see why I should. Mr. Warbucks invited me, of course, but it's not one I see myself getting through very well."

"That's understandable." And then with an amused scoff, he added, "Funny, isn't it? How we both waited too long with the people we love?"

She rolled her eyes. "Hilarious."

"I guess I should consider myself the luckier one. I still get to have you in my life."

"I must not love Mr. Warbucks as much as I thought. I can't even find it in myself to genuinely wish him happiness."

"I've had a lot more time to prepare. The day will come when you're able to face Mr. Warbucks again."

"I'm not so sure."

"I didn't say it was easy."

Looking up at him, she reached and touched his cheek.

"… Take care of yourself… Grace." Her name felt foreign on his tongue.

She smiled. "You, too, Drake."

Suddenly she found herself struggling to step away. Her hand slipped down to his neck, her thumb lightly tracing his jaw. She felt him shift toward her, and her natural response was to close the distance between them.

He wound his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. It wasn't a deep kiss, though she kept pulling his head against her. He knew this wasn't her changing her mind, rather, she was saying goodbye. They wouldn't speak of this moment again, but for as long as it might last, he wasn't going to be the first to let go.