I’m not saying I feel for Lucy like I did for Tess, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit she’s the first woman to give me pause and make me feel discombobulated since Tess.
It doesn’t matter, though. I’ve made the decision not to attach my life to anyone else’s. I’m happy with the way things are, and besides, Lucy doesn’t want to date me, so there’s that.
I sigh, trying to find the words to placate my grandparents. “She isn’t … She doesn’t … We’re not …”
“We’re friends,” Lucy interrupts me, drawing Gram and Pa’s attention.
“Friends?” Gram repeats, like she’s trying out the word for the first time.
Lucy nods hurriedly. “I was telling TJ that I don’t have many people, especially not around here, and he was kind enough to make me dinner and … we’re friends.” She glances at me as she says the final word, like she wants to make sure I’m on the same page. I nod.
Friends sounds good to me. I can do friends.
It takes only a second for a broad grin to spread across Gram’s face. “Well!” She crosses the room to where Lucy is now standing up behind her chair and draws her into a hug. “Any friend of our TJ’s is a friend of mine.” She pulls away, keeping hold of Lucy’s arms as she studies her. I’m ready to swoop in if I get the sense Lucy is uncomfortable, but she looks at ease, if a little shocked and amused.
My gram is always good for that. People swarm to her because she has a way of making them feel comfortable in their own skin. It’s a gift. She often jokes that she must have a sign stamped on her forehead that reads,Tell me all your problems. I remind her that that particular sign is stamped on her heart, and people know they can count on her. They know she’ll be there for them.
I get the sense Lucy doesn’t have a ton of people who are there for her, so if my grandma wants to dote on her, I’m cool with that. I’ll gladly share all the grandmotherly love, as long as Gram doesn’t push her luck and try to force Lucy and me together. Now that she knows the truth about where our relationship stands, I’m hoping she’ll respect it. I’m about sixty percent sure she will, but you never know with Gram. When she gets an idea in her head about what’s best for people she loves, she has a one-track mind.
“What are you doing on Thursday, Lucy?” Gram asks.
Lucy glances up like she’s flipping through a mental calendar. “I don’t think anything. Why?”
“You simply must come to our chili cook-off and square dance. I insist.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense.” My grandma flicks her wrist dismissively. “As my friend, I’d like you there. I’ve got a whole bunch of people who’d love to meet you.”
I feel my hackles rise, and I’m about to step in, but Lucy catches my eye and gives me a subtle shake of her head.
“That’s so nice of you,” she says to my grandma. “Do, uh, you know who I am?”
My grandma blinks. “Yes,” she says slowly. “You told me who you are.” She shoots a look at my grandpa, silently asking him,Do these two think we’re senile?
“No, right. Of course. I just mean, I’m kind of famous, or, rather, notorious.” Lucy winces. “I keep a low profile, so I don’t like a lot of people knowing where I’m living or anything like that.”
“Our friends and neighbors are our age,” Gram says. “They don’t care too much about famous people and their business.”
Lucy’s cheeks turn pink at this, and I want to put an arm around her shoulder and tell her that it’s okay … thatshe’sokay.
“I don’t think anyone would give you a hard time at all,” Gram concludes.
Lucy looks up at me. “Are you going to be there?”
“We have a walk-through that day before we leave for our away game on Friday, but I hope to stop by. I’ll be a little late.” My heart flips to think that my presence would be a comfort to her. Something about Lucy Dupree has my protective nature kicking in. It’s a weird feeling to have a desire to be there for someone else after living by myself for so long. I don’t hate it. It’s unexpected—like a dormant part of my chest is being tickled by a feather and starting to twitch back to life.
“I—” Lucy presses her lips together. “I’m honored to be invited. Truly. But I’m not sure it’s for the best. Is it alright if I think about it? I can let you know.”
“No need to even do that. Just show up if you can! TJ can text you directions. Does he have your number?” Gram flips her gaze to me.
“I’ll get it, and I’ll send you the address.” I nod at Lucy and say a silent prayer of thanks that Gram somehow managed to give me an excuse to get Lucy’s number and not make it weird. Icould have asked for it, I guess. With any other woman, I wouldn’t have thought twice about doing that, but something about Lucy is different.
Gram claps her hands together once and then pulls Lucy into a hug. “I really hope you can make it.”
When Lucy leans away, she’s smiling. “You’re being too kind, Loretta. If I do make it out, can I bring anything?”
“If you’ve got a chili recipe you’d like to enter, by all means!”
