“And we haven’t even had breakfast.” I groan. “I haven’t taken my meds today. No wonder I slept so long after we made love.” I turn my face against his chest.
“Do you need another nap?”
“Food first? Food makes me sleepy. Then…” I look up. “How would you feel about meeting my granddad?”
Stefan lifts his eyebrows. “Today?”
“Yes. Only if there’s time between sleep and Beau getting home from work. You need to talk to him, and that’s—”
Stefan silences me with a kiss. “I’d love to. Let me have a shower. Then I’ll make us some lunch, and you can sleep for as long as you need. Then we’ll visit your granddad.”
* * *
It’s mid-afternoon by the time we arrive at Granddad’s nursing home. After signing in, we’re shown to the communal room, where residents are being served afternoon tea. There are several board games out, and unsurprisingly, Granddad is playing chess with someone. The game ends as we approach the table.
“You’re a hustler, Stanley,” Granddad’s opponent says as he stands and tosses Granddad a packet of Jelly Babies.
“And you’re a sore loser, Francis. You know I’m good at chess. I’d hardly call that a hustle.” Granddad doesn’t stand. He can’t. He’s wheelchair-bound thanks to severe arthritis in his knees.
“You could let me win once or twice.”
“What would be the point in that?” Granddad waves Francis away. “I’ll play you again tomorrow, Francis. Right now, I have guests.”
Stefan tugs my hand. “You didn’t tell me your granddad is Stanley Reed,” he whispers.
“Didn’t I?”
Granddad beckons us closer. “Grab another chair. Who’s this handsome man you’ve brought to visit me?”
“Stefan,” I say, smiling softly at him. “My boyfriend.”
“I love the vampire chic. Do you like Jelly Babies?”
I laugh. Thankfully, Stefan is there to steady me. He helps me into the chair Francis was sitting in and then goes and finds another.
“You’ve not brought a boyfriend to visit me before,” Granddad remarks.
“He’s special.” I struggle to get the words out but somehow manage it with a semblance of clarity.
“He looks like a keeper.” Granddad puts his finger over his lips as Stefan comes back with a chair.
He extends his hand to Granddad. “Pleased to meet you, sir.”
“Polite.” Granddad shakes his hand. “Sit down.”
Once Stefan is sitting, Granddad tosses the packet of Jelly Babies to him.
“I brought you some chocolate.” I take the generous-sized bar out of my jacket pocket. “Seventy per cent cocoa.”
“Perfect, perfect. Much nicer than Jelly Babies. They’re too sweet. I like my treats a bit more bitter.”
“Then why did you take them from Francis?”
Granddad shrugs. “A bet’s a bet.” He looks at Stefan. “Do you play?”
“Yes, but I won’t be able to beat you. I can barely beat Quinn.”
I shake my head. “That’s not true.”
