“Because it’s dishonest and…calculating. I’m sad that you or Olivia thought otherwise.”
“But, Mom, don’t you like him? Isn’t that how grownups, you know, get married?”
She laughed like he’d said something funny and sweet and sad, but wasn’t it true?
“He’s nice,” he pressed, sensing she was starting to get it. “He even gives Sir Isaac Newton free dog treats sometimes.”
“That’s because he’s marketing his store. Healthy dog treats, even.”
“Exactly! You’re both business people. You havesynergy!”
Gracie pinched her forehead. “Honey, adult relationships aren’t that simple.”
“I understand complicated things, Mom. I build robots for fun.”
“This is different.”
“How? If you and Olivia’s dad worked together on something fun, you might remember how good it feels to, you know, not be all alone.”
“Sweetheart, I know you mean well. But people’s hearts aren’t projects you can organize.”
“I know that,” he said quietly. “But sometimes they just need a push.”
She looked down, and for a long moment, she didn’t say anything. Then she sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
“I have to tell Eleanor Locke that the arrangement is off, and I need to tell Marshall that you and Olivia cooked this up. It’s not fair to anyone.”
“Wait—Mom, no. Don’t do that. Olivia will be mad at me.”
“Then she’ll be mad at you,” she said firmly, checking her watch and pushing up. “But I have to tell him this was…arranged.”
“What if he still wants to do the gingerbread house with you?”
“Well, then…I don’t know.” She picked up her purse from the counter. “I was going to have lunch with Nicole in town. I’ll go a little early and stop by Craving Clean.”
“Want me to come with you? I’ll own up to my part in the…subterfuge.”
She laughed. “Where do you learn words like that at eleven?”
“Olivia,” he said honestly. “She’s like a vocab queen.”
Mom gave him a sad, soft look. “She’s a good girl, but this was just a little too far.”
He nodded, still feeling awful. “I’ll go find Red in the garage and tell him not to get the skates.”
The kitchen door opened and Red walked in, old brown ice skates dangling from his hand. “Just call me Dick Button.”
Mom gave a dry laugh. “You’re nuts, you know that? I’m running back into town. Try to stay out of trouble, you two.”
She blew a kiss and passed Red to go back outside.
Red frowned, turning to watch her leave and then looking back at Benny. “She hear?”
He nodded.
“You grounded?”
“Worse. She’s going to undo all my work by telling Mr. Hampton.”
