“So Gran said. She even asked him to.”
“This is what we wanted, for them to split up.”
The food arrived, and Vi dug in. “This is so yummy. It really is the best burger around. You say you’re not hungry, but the way you’re staring at my food makes you look the opposite. Or did some of the sauce drip on me?” She frowned down at herself.
“No drips.” Blake hadn’t been looking at the burger, he’d been watching her face change when she bit into it. An eager, hungry expression that reminded him of their kisses the previous night. He wanted more, but she’d said she didn’t. Before lunch ended, he intended to set her straight about who he was.
“Blake? I’m offering you some of my burger. It’s way too big for me to finish.”
She mesmerized him. Now, when they were talking about burgers and grandparents? What was the matter with him? He tore his gaze from her. “Hey, if you need help, I’m your guy.”
Looking happier than she had a few seconds ago, she gave him half the burger and a generous portion of fries.
“That’s too much,” he said, “but I know you’re depending on me to eat it.”
She laughed, and the world brightened. “Back to Gran. She’s not eating or sleeping much. From her slumped shoulders to her listlessness, unhappiness hangs all over her. I’ve never seen her this down. She even cried, which as far as I know she hasn’t done since her husband died when I was a teenager.” Vi chewed her lip. “Seeing her like that shredded my heart. She loves him, Blake, she told me so. Is Malcom as upset as she is?”
Blake recalled how miserable and defeated his grandpa had been. “He’s a mess. He didn’t use the L word, but he’s suffering like a man whose world has tilted off its axis.”
“Were you able to talk to him about that?”
“I tried. I suggested he apologize. You know him. He wasn’t buying that. Let’s hope what I said will sink in. I’ll lay low for a day or so.” Blake thought of something else. “One thing I didn’t say but wish I had was that if he doesn’t apologize and make things right, he’ll lose her.”
“He might need to hear that. I feel for both him and Gran, and I’m rethinking my opinion that they should break up. I don’t mind if they’re together as long as they slow down.”
“I’m no fan of seeing Grandpop messed up like that, either. So, yeah, what you said.”
She flirted with a smile. “Look at us, the flexibles.”
For all his worry, Blake also brightened up. “It’s unexpected, for sure.”
“If only we knew what to do next.”
“That could depend on what Caroline decides about her living quarters,” Blake said.
“She’s going to stay in her current unit. Her insurance check hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m sure it will.” Vi thought a minute. “If not, she’ll have to move out. With the shortage of available units at other retirement facilities, she’ll need an apartment for a while. My friend Carmie works at Port Simms Apartment Rentals. She’s good at her job. If we need her to find something for Gran, she will.”
“Good to have a backup plan. It’ll be hard on them if they continue to live down the hall from each other.”
“When I brought that up with Gran, she got huffy and pointed out that she knows how to be civil.” Vi rolled her eyes. “They remind me of teenagers. On the plus side of her staying in her own unit, they won’t need to rush into marriage if at all.Of course, they may not make up. But if Malcom apologizes to Gran, I know she’ll take him back.”
“He wants that, too, but he refuses to do what you and I think he should.”
“At least they know how each other feels about money and keeping secrets. They both need to work on their communication skills.”
Blake was glad she’d brought that up. “Like we do.” She gave him a sideways look. “I’m thinking about last night.”
The waitress stopped by with a dessert menu. Vi ordered pound cake with strawberry syrup, then continued. “I thought I was very clear—no more kisses.”
“Yes, I heard you. But if you changed your mind, I wouldn’t complain.” Her eyes narrowed slightly and she pursed her lips in disapproval, and he stopped the teasing. “Some of what you said last night was confusing.”
“The part about me sending you mixed messages—I thought about that and agree. I won’t do it anymore. If I do, remind me.”
It was good to know she was still willing to see him. “Okay. I meant the comment about me jumping from one woman to another. That’s false, by the way, but we’ll get to it later. You mentioned not wanting to be in that situation again. Someone must’ve done a real number on you.”
She turned red, which was interesting. After the waitress delivered the dessert and two forks, Vi cleared her throat. “I may as well tell you. I don’t talk about this much, because it’s old news and there isn’t much to say. I’ll keep it short.”
She slid the cake plate between them and nodded at Blake to help himself but didn’t pick up her own fork. Wanting to pay full attention to her, he ignored the cake as well.
