Cade grimaced. “TMI.”
“I just need to show her how amazing I am in all other aspects of life. So far, I think I have our dreamhouse picked out. It’s in the mountains, near that douchey football guy.”
“Which one? We have two.” Cade laughed at his own joke. “They’re not douchey. The Flashman brothers are actually nice guys.”
“Yeah, well, Piper had a crush on them at one point, so Jared told me.”
“Hell, man, every woman in this town had a crush on them,” Cade said. “But that passed. Now it’s all about my baby brother, so I hear.”
“Hear from who?”
“I have my sources.”
Grant rolled his eyes. “Jenna.”
“Look, seal the deal. Piper’s great, and Jared returns in a few weeks. Make the most of the holidays, Grant. Be your neurotic, less than charming self and she’ll fall for you. She loved you as a kid.”
“That’s what I thought, but she acts like she barely remembers me.” He’d have to fix that. “Anyhow, thanks for your help. I’ll make it right with Ellie later, I swear. And I’ll do some kid watching for you next week to give you some private time.”
Cade perked up. “Sounds like a plan.”
“I mean, how tough can my nephew be? He’s an adorable five-year-old, right?”
Cade laughed so hard he cried. Then he kept laughing as he returned to the house.
But Grant had his lady to get back to. And a countdown to Christmas. That meant presents and wooing in earnest, just as soon as he could work a weekend trip away for the two of them. Time to talk to Jenna again.
Chapter 14
Jenna couldn’t handle much more of her aunt, who stood in the kitchen boiling potatoes and whipping together some weird casserole. With any luck, it would be somewhat palatable. She loved her aunt, but man, if it didn’t come from a box with clear instructions, Piper could not make it taste good.
Thinking only of turkey and the pumpkin pie she had already made, Jenna left any subtlety behind in her effort to convince her aunt to stop being such a dunderhead. “You know, Aunt Piper, Grant’s such a nice guy. He’s funny, he has a job, and he’s single. What’s the big deal about dating him?”
Piper frowned at her. “Jenna, I’m not dating anyone right now. It’s okay to be on your own, you know.” She paused. “Are you feeling pressured to be with Simon?”
“What? No.” Sometimes Aunt Piper could be so clueless about life. When had Jenna ever complained about Simon as a boyfriend? Um, never. They had a good thing going. Friends who dated. They had fun, they both had their own interests outside of being a couple, and their kisses never failed to be exciting. She loved Simon. Why the heck would she feel pressured about him?
Piper wiped her hands on a towel and sat next to Jenna on the couch. “Honey, something’s bothering you. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just have a lot on my mind with finals and the SATs. And an aunt who’s making me wonder if it’s even worth going out with a guy if at the end of it all you’re going to be hurt and too afraid to go out again,” she snapped.
She heard her aunt’s heavy sigh, but instead of arguing, like Jenna’s mom would have, Piper said kindly, “Jenna, I’m here for you. Talk to me. This sounds like it’s more about you than me.”
“It’s not.”
“Are you sure? Because my dating life can’t be that exciting. What’s really bothering you?”
Annoyed at how Piper avoided the issue, Jenna blurted. “Now you’re being like Mom.” Unable to acknowledge the truth, convinced she had to be strong in front of her family. Ali Mason didn’t realize the kind of pressure that put on her daughters, to be so perfect and unfailing at everything. Like Piper refusing to acknowledge she’d been hurt, making it seem like a choice not to date when Jenna knew it had to be fear that held her back. Why else would Aunt Piper look at Grant like she looked at banana cream pie but do nothing about it?
Why would Jenna’s mom not admit that it hurt to lose a case? To not be so perfect? Because if she did, then maybe Jenna could admit she was scared about not scoring well, about losing her friends and boyfriend when she went to college. About messing up before she’d had a real chance to try on her own. Dang it. She’d tried to make a new five-year plan several times the past week, and she was floundering.
“How am I being like your mom?” Piper didn’t sound offended at all, just confused.
“You don’t get it.” Angry all of the sudden, Jenna exploded. She didn’t even realize half the words coming from her mouth before her aunt was hugging her, patting her back, and telling her it was okay to cry.
When did I start crying?
“God, Jenna. You need to let go. You think I’m like your mom? Honey, that’s you looking into a mirror.” Piper chuckled.
