Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Not that I’ve ever dated much since, much less brought my dates home.
Until now.
I’m still trying to hash that out: what I want—if anything—and if it’s safe to want anything with Brady.
“I’ll look after her, ma’am. You have my word,” Brady says firmly. I guess that’s the years of PR skills speaking. He never has to fumble around for the right words, unlike yours truly. They just drip off his tongue, all sugared honey. “That’s all I want to do. Make her happy.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s true,” I say, desperate for the interrogation to end. “We’re very happy together.”
Brady’s eyes slide over to me, and he takes my hand under the table, linking our fingers and squeezing.
Embarrassingly, I flush.
“So, that’s where we are. Judgment time.” Gran gives me a knowing look.
“I hope you approve, Gran. I want Lena’s whole tribe to like me.”
Gran grunts, digging into her banana bread to hide her smile. We don’t often get all cutesy and emotional, but I really do see her like family—the same way she sees me as a surrogate grandchild.
Brady winks at me.
“It’s been fun, but I should probably get dressed for real.” With a kiss on my cheek that’s part performance and part heartache, he heads for the bathroom.
The second the door shuts behind him, Gran leans closer with a glint in her eye. “You could do worse, you know. The man’s so flawless I could barely get a single swipe in.”
“Thanks,” I say dryly.
“I like him. If he’s good with animals, he won’t be mad when you come dragging home from work after dark.”
Charlie the corgi certainly seemed to like him too. There’s no doubt Brady cares, and he’s entirely forgiving.
Apparently, his magic charm isn’t just isolated to people.
It feels kinda daunting, if I’m honest.
I’ve never been a people pleaser, and not everyone likes me. I can’t count the number of times I’ve delivered bad news to clients to save Dr. Ezzie the grief.
Normally, that’s no problem when I only see a handful of people socially every day.
But with my name linked to Brady Pruitt, all of Seattle will have questions about me soon, and then they’ll have opinions.
Whatever my superpowers are, instant likability isn’t high on the list.
Not like Brady.
“The money can’t hurt either,” Gran tells me. “Hardly the most important thing, of course, if you can find a rich one and he checks the other boxes . . .”
“Gran!” I eye her. “I didn’t think you were so mercenary.”
“Your mercenary is my common sense. You know what breaks up a lot of marriages? Money issues. If he’s got enough cash piled up to make a rainy day a walk in the mist, you’re golden. You two can keep each other happy for the long haul.”
“Slow down, Gran. We’re not getting married.”
“No?” She gives me a sour look that cuts through my soul. “Don’t you bullshit me, pet. I’ve known you too long.”
Ugh.
There’s nothing I can say, though. Not without either letting her in on our ruse or lying more to her face, so I keep quiet, gobbling a mouthful of banana bread.
“You don’t find men that good looking growing on trees.” Gran grins, her wrinkles deepening.
Brady chooses to walk back into the room that second, his smile turning wicked.
“Thank you,” he says with a teasing bow. “I try my best.”
Gran just chuckles, tapping the table with one gnarled finger. “Sit back down here, boy. You’ll do for our Lena. You’ll do just fine.”
“Lena tested; Gran approved. That’s huge.” The worst part is, he sounds like he means it.
“I should probably get going and leave you two lovebirds to your music.” Gran pushes up from the table with a dramatic stretch. “Mind you, tell Elle soon, if you haven’t yet. Or I will.”
“Gran, I’ve been busy. But sure.”
She’s so relentless.
But yes, why not bring my best friend in on the dumbest mistake of my life? Again, it’s only fair play, after I had so much fun helping push her into holy matrimony.
“It’s been nice with my granddaughter married, but so boring.” She clucks her tongue and looks at me. “We finally have something to liven things up around here. Don’t let me down.”
No controlling that.
Whatever happens between Brady and me, someone’s going to wind up massively disappointed. That’s what I dread.
“Thanks, Gran. Always fun to entertain you,” I say dubiously as I follow her to the door.
She laughs and lifts her face to mine, planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek.
“Look after yourself, Lena girl! Be happy. And if that man gives you a reason to smile, you stuff the attitude.”
I glance over my shoulder to see Brady helping himself to another slice of banana bread. It’s oddly domestic—the sight of him in this kitchen on a lazy morning, making himself at home.
Weirdly, nicely, deeply unsettling.
I can’t get too used to this. But part of me already wants to.