So the matchmaking continued. That was a little disappointing. But when did Emma ever listen to him? George scolded himself for worrying about it again. What was done was done.
And what did it matter what Emma did? He’d given his advice, his warnings, but Emma was who she was, and she had no interest in changing. Wishing for her to live up to the ideals he’d foolishly created for her would only lead to disappointment and unhappiness for both of them, more than he already felt.
***
George had practically bolted for the door the second Granddad declared he was heading to bed. Maybe it would be better if they waited for another day to talk, but Emma hated to leave things so strained between them. This was almost worse than not hearing from George and assuming he just needed more time.
“Wait for me,” she whispered with just a touch of pleading.
George reluctantly set his car keys back on the counter and waved her off, obviously sensing her fear that the second her back turned, he’d be gone.
She went down the hall with Granddad, turning on his TV and his nightlight in the bathroom, and putting his shoes neatly in his closet.
“Not more Congressional hearings,” Granddad grumbled, gesturing at the TV. “Where’s a good earthquake when we need it?”
“Don’t tempt fate, Granddad.”
“True, true. Goodnight, my Emma.”
“Goodnight.” She kissed his forehead before quickly retreating and sprinting down the hall.
George was not where she’d left him, and she glanced around, afraid maybe he had actually ditched her. But no, he was pacing in the entryway with his hands in his hair. He stopped short when he realized she’d returned.
“That eager to get out of here, huh?”
The blunt honesty garnered her a small smile from him. “Sorry.”
He was as handsome as ever with his hair all disheveled like that. She warily approached him and reached a hand up to tame it back down.
George practically flinched from her touch, and she dropped her hand. “I was just gonna fix—never mind.”
He flattened his hair himself with both hands and stepped back. “I’m sorry I lectured you about Harriet. It’s none of my business what you do. Let’s just try to be friends again, okay?”
She’d never known him to be jumpy, and she didn’t know what to do with this side of him. Sure, she’d irritated him to death before, and vice-versa, but they’d always been able to laugh it off.
“Okay.” She stuck her hands behind her, knowing there was no returning to what they’d had before. There would be no accidental touches or snuggling on the couch. There would be no going back to … them.
A sorry was on the tip of her tongue, but she choked on it and said nothing. It was her turn to apologize, but she wasn’t sorry for setting up Elton and Harriet, and she hadn’t intended for Betty to overhear them arguing or for Finn to be an obnoxious flirt. Fate seemed to be laughing at her, pulling out the rug from under her to expose all her faults and comparative immaturity. All she needed from George now was a patronizing pat on the head and a dismissal.
She’d dismiss him instead. “It’s fine. Just go.”
George rubbed his eyes. “Yeah, that’s probably best.” He turned to open the door, but there was a sudden knock on it—Elton’s soft knock he always used so as not to wake Granddad.
George opened the door for Elton, who was standing there holding the rake Granddad had been so concerned about.
“Don’t mind me, I was just leaving.” George took off past Elton without a backward glance, and Emma fixed a smile on her face and invited Elton in.
She told herself she hadn’t just lost the bet of her life, with Elton as the consolation prize, but tears stung the corners of her eyes, mocking her. If George could give up on them because of her stupid matchmaking, then they were better off figuring that out now.
“Hi, Elton. Thanks for returning the rake.” She took it from him and set it carefully against the wall. After he left, she’d hang it up in the garage.
Pushing thoughts of George away, she took in Elton’s appearance. “You look nice.”
His hair was freshly gelled, and he was wearing a new crisp shirt and pants. The cologne wafting off of him was a little intense, but a nice scent. “Did you come from an important meeting or something?”
He laughed a little self-consciously. “No, nothing like that.”
“Well, come into the kitchen, and we’ll find something to snack on.” She led the way and dug around in the pantry. “Chips and salsa?”
