I frown, hating that he’s smiling like that while thinking I’m Zack. This is the second time he’s thought I was that guy. Just how closewashe to Aspen and her family? And is Kenny lucid enough to tell me anything useful?
Still, most of what I’m feeling is sympathy. I don’t look anything like Zack. Does Kenny confuse Aspen and Kat with other people, too? That would hurt. It might explain why Kat wasn’t with him and Aspen at the steakhouse. She might not be able to bear being around a husband who doesn’t recognize her anymore.
“I was just thinking about you,” Kenny says. “Come, have a seat.” He gestures.
I drag a plastic chair over and lower myself into it. The seat is unergonomic and uncomfortable.
“I was just thinking that you’re the perfect person to take Aspen to the prom,” Kenny says.
The prom?
“Don’t be shy.” He pats my hand. “Take charge of the situation. I know you have a crush on her. I don’t like most of the boys that she hangs out with, but not you. You’re solid.”
Over the sympathy, hot jealousy burns through me. Zack probably did get to take Aspen to the prom. She wouldn’t have gone with some other guy when her grandfather was rooting for the two of them. I wonder if he’s still in her life, and if so, are they dating?
Probably not. If they were dating, she wouldn’t have slept with me. Or maybe he sucks so awfully in bed that she just doesn’t care.
I shake my head.Focus on Kenny.
“I’m afraid the prom’s over,” I tell him gently, hoping I don’t confuse or upset him. I’m out of my element. “Aspen’s thirty-four years old.”
Kenny looks at me in bewilderment. “Thirty-four?”
I keep my voice soft and gentle. “Yes. All grown up. With a job.”
He blinks a few times, then suddenly swings a hand out to smack me. I catch the hand and return it to his side.What the hell?
“You asshole!” he says.
“Excuse me?” How did I go from the nice guy who should take Aspen to the prom to some dick he should hit?
“You son of a bitch.”
“You know who I am?”
“Yes.Grant.”
The sheer venom he puts into the word doesn’t make sense. There has to be another Grant.
“She invited you over once.” Rage seethes underneath his shaking voice.
“I brought wine and flowers.”
“I should’ve known you were too slick. You didn’t just bring any flowers. You brought Kat’s favorite.”
He isn’t confusing me with anybody else. But then, why is he so angry? “Yes. I wanted her to like me.”
“Why? So she could bake you a pie? All her pies are mine!”
“Uh…” I raise my hands in surrender. “Yeah. Sure. Sorry.”
“You ruined Aspen’s life!”
“I didn’t do anything,” I protest, lowering my arms.
Kenny jumps to his feet, his hands clenched. I watch in mute fascination as he swings his fists and hits me on the shoulders. It doesn’t hurt. He’s too frail to hit very hard. But the ugliness on his face is paralyzing. He was such a gentleman fourteen years ago. I can’t reconcile that image with this…person in front of me now. Can becoming old and losing memories change someone to this degree? Or is there more?
“Ruinedit!” he shouts. “Because of you, she couldn’t even finish college. It’s all your fault!”
