Savannah??????????
Call me!!!!!!!!!
Uh-oh. You know things are serious when Grandma pulls out multiple exclamation marks.
I’m still skimming through her increasingly excitable messages when her name pops up on my screen. She’s calling me again.
“It’s too early for this,” I mumble to myself as I answer.
“Savannah?”
“Hi, Grandma. So, listen?—”
I’m cut off by her squeal of delight. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me, honey? I had to hear about it from Sheila in the book club group chat!”
My heart sinks. “She told the whole group chat?”
Great. Now half the women in town think I’m dating Clay.
Grandma doesn’t seem to hear my question. She tends to talkatpeople when she’s excited.
“I’m so, so thrilled for you, Savannah.” She lets out another delighted whoop. “Our hopeless romantic has finally found love!”
“But I?—”
“I won’t pretend I’m not a little surprised,” she continues over me. “Clay’s a lot older than you, honey. He used to come to the tavern on Saturdays with his brother, and he was a real grump back then. I didn’t think he’d be your type, but hey, opposites attract, right? Just look at Thorne and Aria—engaged already! I bet you and Clay will be next…”
My mouth hangs open. I don’t know how to explain to my grandma that I’m not going to marry the stranger I hit with my car yesterday.
“You have to bring him to the party this afternoon,” she says. “I know it’s short notice, but I won’t take no for an answer! I’ll drag him down Cherry Mountain myself if I have to.”
My eyes bulge. After the drama of last night, I totally forgot about Grandma’s birthday party. Half the town will be there, and a sizeable chunk of them will be asking about me and Clay.
“You’re right, Grandma, it isveryshort notice. I’m not sure if?—”
“I wasn’t kidding, honey. Tell Clay I know where he lives. He might be ten times my size, but I’ll get him to my party one way or another.”
I close my eyes with a grimace. My grandma is awesome, but she’s also the stubbornest woman in Crave County, and there’s no swaying her once she makes up her mind.
“Are you okay, Savannah?” she asks after a few beats of silence. “You don’t sound…happy?”
The concern in her voice nearly kills me. I can just picture her right now, getting ready for her party, glowing with excitement to see me and Clay together. I know I should come clean and rip off the band-aid—tell her the truth before things get even more out of hand.
But I can’t do it.
I can’t ruin my sweet grandma’s birthday party.
“I’m great!” I tell her, forcing myself to sound cheerful. “Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. This is all just so new to me…but I’m happy, Grandma. Really happy.”
“That’s so wonderful to hear.” Her voice turns thick, and she sniffs loudly. “I know how badly you wanted to find someone, and I’m so happy you finally got him, honey. It’s the best birthday present in the world.”
“I…thank you, Grandma. That means a lot.”
I’m glad she can’t see the look on my face right now because I probably look like I just stubbed my toe.
This is bad.
I’m officially a terrible granddaughter.
