"Time will tell." Grace shrugged. "It was actually kind of nice to not rush around all day. And I don't have to walk half a mile when I bring a patient from the other end of the hospital to radiology for imaging." She grimaced. "That means I should probably start exercising."
Her job had always been active enough that she'd never bothered to exercise much other than going for an occasional walk. But as her mom's health declined, Grace wanted to make sure she was strong enough to lift and care for her.
"Are you looking forward to tonight?" Mom asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah, it should be fun." Grace tried to downplay her eagerness to spend more time with Damon. "I'm anxious to get to know Riley and Daniel better."
"And of course, you'll be seeing Damon again." Mom grinned and winked. "You two have spent a lot of time together. What do you think of him?"
Grace's heart rate kicked up a notch at her mother's question. "He's nice. I’ve enjoyed having him show me around."
"Just nice and fun?" Mom's smile turned teasing. "Anything else?"
"What do you mean?" Grace asked cautiously. Could mom see she was struggling to keep her feelings for him in check? Falling for Damon was a heartache waiting to happen. She should avoid him at all costs. But she enjoyed spending time with him.
"I mean, he seems to like you.A lot." Mom's gaze lingered on Grace's face.
"What makes you think that?"
"He told me," Mom said.
"When?"
"He visited me this morning."
Damon visited her mom and told her he liked Grace?
"He did?" Grace's eyes widened. "Why?"
Mom shrugged. "So we could get to know each other better."
"What did you guys talk about?"
"A lot of things." Mom went on when Grace scowled. "Yes, we talked about you."
A sinking feeling hit Grace's gut. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him what a bright and busy child you were and showed him the family albums. Don't worry, I didn't tell him anything you wouldn't want me to share."
Grace didn't know whether to be relieved or concerned. What was Damon's real motive for visiting her mom? Why was he making the effort to get to know her?
"Hereallylikes you, Mija," Mom said again with emphasis. "Do you feel the same about him?"
Grace broke eye contact and looked down at her hands. "I don't know."
"Are you sure?" Mom covered Grace's hand with hers. "Or are you afraid to admit that you're in love with him?"
"I only just met him a few days ago. I'm not in love with him," Grace insisted.
"Yet," Mom added.
"Yet." The word came out as a whisper. "But I shouldn't let myself fall for him."
"Letyourself?" Mom chuckled. "It’s not always convenient when that someone special comes into our lives. Nor do we always have control over how our heart responds.”
Grace didn't respond. If she did, she'd have to admit her mom was right. How much she liked Damon.
"Why shouldn't youletyourself fall for Damon?"
