“That’s why you love me,” Gran said, beaming.
“One of many reasons.”
They shared a brief kiss. Vi hoped they behaved better than they had at the Sea Captain’s Table. To her relief, they settled down.
Clearly, they didn’t appreciate her and Blake being there. She wanted to leave and process their abrupt about-face. “They’re conducting business, Blake. We should go.”
“Not until they clarify a few things.”
“Such as?” Malcom asked.
“I don’t buy the excuse that we didn’t ask so you didn’t tell. What’s your real reason for keeping us in the dark?”
Malcom gestured at Gran to answer. “You two are so dead-set against us getting married, that frankly, we didn’t care to deal with your attitudes.”
“That’s not true,” Vi said. “Well maybe at first, because you’d just met and were moving so quickly when you barely knew each other. But we came around. Of course, you didn’t know because you couldn’t be bothered answering your phones.”
Gran opened her mouth to say who knew what, but Blake spoke first. “When are you two getting married?”
The seniors clasped hands and smiled at each other like besotted lovers. “A week from today,” Caroline said, then lowered her voice. “The 709 has agreed to let us move in together a few days before the wedding, as they need to get our current units in shape for new residents. We have a lot to do to get ready.”
“Are we the only ones who didn’t know?” Vi asked. With Malcom suddenly fascinated by the nondescript floor and Gran wearing a guilty expression, she had the answer. “We were.” That explained the cryptic smiles at the 709 earlier. “Are we invited to the wedding?”
Blake narrowed his eyes. “You damn well better say yes.”
The salesperson headed toward them. “We’ll talk about this later,” Malcom said, dismissing them with a flick of his hand.
“Fine. Let’s get out of here, Vi. Apologies for Grandpop’s behavior,” he said on the way out. “At times, he’s rough around the edges. But you know that from the call I made from the new store about meeting them for dinner.”
“As you heard, Gran isn’t always agreeable, either. That doesn’t bother me, but the way they cut us out but told other people hurts my feelings. We don’t even know if they plan to invite us to the wedding.”
The few daysfollowing the surprising news from Malcom and Caroline were busy for Blake. Now that spring had hit, business was through the roof at the original BW Bikes. If that wasn’t enough, there was still plenty to do before the second store opened. Vi was constantly on his mind. She was equally busy, learning the ins and outs of her new job. Despite the long hours that stretched from early morning till late at night for both of them, they managed to keep in touch by phone and text.
In the middle of the week, she called him before noon, a first. Had something happened? “Everything okay?” he asked.
“Not really. I’m dealing with nonstop questions and problems I’m not sure how to handle. My secretary Linda is a big help, but she has her own work to do. I’m sure I’m driving both her and Todd nuts with questions of my own. For the sake of my sanity, I need to get out of here. I’m leaving early today, and I’d love to see you. Can we get together, or are you too busy?”
Music to his ears. “Forget busy. This is a day made for a bike ride. Let’s do it. I was just thinking about you.”
“Oh?” She sounded pleased.
“I’m at the original bike store right now. You can meet Joanie, who’ll be my second-in-command at the new store once it opens, and Ross, here to help with the nonstop flow of customers. He knows the ropes. They’ll be fine without me. The sun sets tonight around eight, and I doubt you’ll want to ride in the dark. Meet me here a couple hours before then, or earlier if you can. We’ll ride and have dinner after.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“If you need cycling clothes, we have a great selection here.”
“I found that out on Sunday, when I came in and picked up a few things.”
“I wish you’d called and let me know. I’d have met you here.”
“I needed to do some thinking by myself.”
About what? She’d tell him if and when she wanted to, he figured. She arrived shortly after two in heels and a killer spring dress that showed off her sexy legs. He loved looking at them, loved looking at her, period. After a second or two, he pulled his gaze to hers and cleared his throat. “You’re earlier than I expected.”
“Too early?” she asked, touching the back of her head, where she’d fixed her hair in a fancy twist at the nape.
“Let me introduce you to Joanie and Ross. Meet Vi.”
