That’s the other thing. The movie theater shows all the movies that were popular when they were young. The music on the speakers at the pools is the same way. It’s a lot of what I’d callclassic rock. PopPop just calls itgood music,not like that nonsense you kids listen to.
But he says it with a broad smile, because he doesn’t mean a word of it. I think they’d do just fine in an elevator building in Manhattan, hanging out with the younger crowd and listening to hip-hop. But I’m glad they’re doing exactly what makes them happy.
“Amazing,” I tell Grammy. “Give him a hug from me when he gets back.”
“I will,” she promises. “Now tell me, what’s got you sounding like it’s already Christmas morning?”
“You noticed,” I say, trying to buy myself time. Of course I should have known that my grandmother would instantly read my mood.
“You’re my favorite granddaughter,” she says firmly.I’m her only granddaughter, but it still makes me smile.
“There’s a boy, well, a man,” I tell her, my feet carrying me to the nearest side window.
“I’m all ears,” Grammy murmurs, sounding fascinated.
The twinkling lights over the tree lot are so pretty, but I have eyes only for Roan.
“He’s really great,” I hear myself say as I watch him stride through the lot to show Liam another tree, a steely expression on his handsome face. “But he’s older, and he’s sort of… serious.”
“How much older?” Grammy asks.
“I’m not sure,” I admit. “But he has a ten-year-old daughter, and she’s just the best.”
“Is she serious too?” Grammy asks.
“He seems to think she’s shy,” I tell her. “Though I haven’t seen that side of her. She’s really chatty with me. She loves books.”
“Sounds like your kind of girl,” Grammy says approvingly.
“She is,” I tell her.
“Well, all of this sounds interesting,” Grammy says. “You know your PopPop was older than me.”
“Still is,” I tease her.
“You’ll find that it matters less as you get older,” she says warmly. “I think it’s most important that you share values and that you have mutual respect.”
“I’m still getting to know him,” I admit. “But he’s definitely respectful.”
“So why don’t you sound as excited as you were a minute ago?” Grammy asks.
I sigh and pace away from the window.
“I… don’t have the best track record with my decisions lately,” I tell her.
“Mistakes are how we learn,” Grammy says firmly.
“Well, I’ve never really dated someone seriously,” I say. “And with Meg in the picture I feel like I have to be sure it can work. Also, the whole neighbor-slash-landlord thing.”
“The what?” Grammy asks patiently.
“Oh, right,” I say. “I forgot to mention that he’s my landlord and he sells trees from his family farm in the lot right next to the bookshop.”
“Oh my,” Grammy says.
“I just think about the messes I’ve gotten myself into,” I go on. “I mean, not just the terrible men I dated in the city, but… what happened in publishing. Maybe my judgement isn’t the best.”
“Oh, honey,” Grammy says.
