"I know that, and you know that, but my grandmother loves creating drama. If you want your rental to be confirmed, we have to meet with her, and she wants us to take her out to dinner."
It sounded like no wouldn't be a good answer, and I wanted this house. "Fine."
"We have to pick her up at the senior center and take her to her favorite restaurant."
"I can do that."
"She wants Hayden to be there too."
"Are you serious?" Does her grandmother know anything about teenage girls? It was impossible to get them to do anything, and I wasn't sure I could ensure she'd be on good behavior.
"I explained the situation to Hayden, and she wants to meet her. I'm going to get ready." Saylor disappeared upstairs, and I knocked softly on Hayden's closed door.
Hayden spending time with Saylor outside this afternoon was a marked improvement over hiding out in her room.
A few seconds later, the door swung open. Hayden stood in front of me, her earbuds in her ears, and her phone in her hands. This was a familiar look for her.
I waited for her to remove an earbud. "Saylor talked to you about dinner?"
"Uh-huh."
"We'll leave in a few minutes. Be on your best behavior. Apparently, we need Blaire to approve our rental."
Hayden rolled her eyes. "I know."
Before I could respond to that, the door was closed in my face. The few signs of life I'd seen from Hayden lately could be directly attributed to Saylor's influence. I needed this house, and as much as I hated to admit it, I needed Saylor's help with my daughter.
I headed upstairs to put on an unwrinkled button-down shirt and waited for Saylor to get out of the bathroom so I could wash up. When I was done, I headed downstairs to find Hayden sitting on the couch, waiting with Saylor. Both wore sundresses.
"Are you ready to go?" I asked, trying not to be impressed that Hayden had dressed nicely for dinner without me prodding her.
Saylor stood. "We need to swing by the senior center to pick up my grandmother."
I grabbed the keys from the table by the front door.
We piled into the truck, Hayden sliding into the back seat and her face bowed over her phone. She was probably listening to music.
"Thanks for being a good sport about this. My grandmother can be pushy," Saylor said as we backed out of the driveway.
"We want the house."
"Are you sure you're okay with me staying in the cottage?" Saylor asked, her brow furrowed.
"Hayden likes you." It was something I'd come to terms with over the last twenty-four hours. As much as I wanted to think I could do this father thing on my own, Saylor was giving me a huge assist.
"I don't know about that—" Saylor said, sneaking a look at Hayden in the back seat.
"Trust me. She does. I haven't seen her interested in anything since I came home. She's upset that I moved her here to begin with."
Saylor gave me a dubious look. "She didn't want to come to an island for the summer?"
"I took her away from her friends, and from what I understand, there's no greater sin for a teen girl."
Saylor laughed. "I guess you're right. I remember how important my friends were to me at that age. Everything felt huge then."
"We have to convince your grandmother that this arrangement will work for both of us."
Saylor shook her head. "I'm going to apologize for my grandmother in advance. I'm fairly sure she wants to determine whether you'd be a good match for me."
