May turns to me right before we step inside with her hand on the doorknob. She takes a giant inhale, shuts her eyes for a moment, then opens them as she nods, like everything’s settled. She hasn’t said a word, but it’s clear this is part of her grounding ritual before she enters the fray.
And it genuinely is wild inside. Poppy, Lily, Saoirse, and Rowan are all running around. It’s adorable seeing the two teens loping after the little girls, who are absolutely squealing with delight.
Looking on are Grant and Eirinn, andoof.Seeing that look of amusement and delight on Grant’s face will never not slay me. It’s just too pure and good.
Like him.
I want to believe that. I think I do. I’ve seen nothing to hint at the fact that who he seems to be is any different from who he actually is. By now in my relationship with Andrew, I’d already known something was off. I was just too desperate to interrogate the feeling and back away. And he was too good at making me feel like I was crazy for thinking everything wasn’t perfect.
I’m not in a relationship with Grant, so it’s not apples to apples, but I can’t deny he’s steady. Reliable. All the things I was certain I’d never find in a man and therefore convinced myself trying again wouldn’t be worth the risk.
Plus, so dang hot it makes me feel brain-scrambled.
Like a heat-seeking missile for the thought, his gaze shifts to meet mine and stuns me all the more. His expressionmorphs from that fatherly amusement to something softer, and I’m not sure he even knows he’s doing it, but warmer, too.
As mentioned, hotter.
I want to talk to him. I haven’t seen him nearly enough, and he saved Mr. Bingley earlier. I should thank him, shouldn’t I? In person? Isn’t that the friendly thing to do?
“Earth to Sam. You still here with me?”
My focus shifts to May, who’s standing beside me with an absolute smirk on her face.
“Or are you over there with my brother?”
“I am very clearly standing right in front of you.”
She snickers. “Yeah, but youwantto be right in front of him.”
“We’re friends.” It’s the lamest defense, but it’s what I’ve got.
“There they are!”
Mary sweeps in from the kitchen with arms open and I grin, ready to watch her embrace her daughter, but she comes for me first.
Suddenly, she’s scooping me up into a warm hug, and I’m accepting it like this is always how we meet.
“I’m so glad you came, dear Sam.” She smiles so widely, so earnestly, she must mean it.
“Thank you for having me. I’m sorry I haven’t been back since the first week.”
She’s waving her hand before I finish speaking.
“None of that. This is an open invitation, not an obligation. Especially if your last name isn’t Ryan. For them, it’s a little bit more of an expectation.” She raises one brow at May, who slinks away saying something about helping her dad in the kitchen.
“Thank you. And thank you for the delicious leftovers afew weeks ago.” I’d returned the container to Grant, though I probably should’ve made the effort to return it here and say it. But I hadn’t bought a new tire at that point, so I was still trying to use the wheel as little as possible.
“Our true pleasure. I’m just so happy you’re settling in. Are you loving Jerry’s?”
I grin. “She’s a character, and yes. I really like it.”
She laughs. “She is. Do you think you’ll be there a while? Or are you working toward something else?”
Finn saunters up and slings an arm around her shoulders. “Mom, you can’t ask that. It’s rude.”
“What? Why can’t I? It’s a genuine question.” Mary’s hand is pressed to her heart.
Before I can get a word in, Finn is explaining his take. “It sounds like being a waitress isn’t good enough. Like sheshouldbe there temporarily.”
