It’s the second time in as many weeks she’s called to ask this question.
You’re the dumbass who told her about Piper.
Yeah, well, if I’d known then what I know now, I probably would’ve kept the story to myself.
Bullshit.
I’ve never been good at keeping things from Gran, even when I was little. Once, when I was eight, I accidentally drove my grandfather’s tractor through her flower garden. I swore up and down it must’ve been wild deer, but she wasn’t buying.
So, yeah. One look at my face on video chat and she’d have known something was up.
“I’m not getting any younger,” she announces when I don’t answer.
“You’re only sixty-two.” I press up against the window of an organic food store, allowing a woman with a stroller to pass. “I think we’ve got time.”
“And I think you should’ve gotten her number.”
No kidding, but I was so damn nervous I totally fumbled the play.
“What can I say? It was a rookie mistake.” One I won’t repeat if the universe gives me a second chance. “Besides, aren’t you the one who always says what’s meant to be, will be?”
My grandparents fell in love at first sight. It was the same for my parents, though my father turned out to be a cheating bastard.
You win some, you lose some.
I don’t know if Piper and I are meant to be, but I’m damn sure going to find out. I was drawn to her in a way I’ve never been drawn to a woman before, and it wasn’t just her looks. It was the way she stood her ground. Found humor in a crappy situation.
The way she reminded you of the two most important women in your life.
“You still have to put in the work.” Gran laughs quietly. “Did you know your grandfather brought me flowers every day for a month when we started dating? It was part of his charm offensive.”
My chest tightens at the mention of my grandfather. He was a good man and if he hadn’t died in a farming accident ten years ago, I have no doubt he’d be at her side recounting every detail of their courtship.
“I’ll be sure to send Piper flowers,” I promise. “IfI ever find her.”
“Honestly, Brady. It’s like you’re not even trying.” She sighs and I imagine her sitting in her porch rocker, sipping her coffee. “It’s been two weeks.”
Two long, torturous weeks.
“How hard can it be to find one woman?” she asks breezily.
Seriously?
“There are forty thousand students on campus, half of which are women. Plus, you’ve got professors, administrators, coaches—”
“Prince Charming didn’t give up on his true love,” she interjects, ignoring my extremely valid protest as she compares me to a prick who couldn’t even remember his woman’s face. “And he had to search every home in the kingdom.”
I chuckle in spite of myself. “That’s called stalking, and it’s against the law.”
“That didn’t stop your grandfather.” She pauses, as if weighing her next words. “I suppose it’s a different time. Don’t get arrested, sweetheart. Your mother would be so disappointed.”
She’s not the only one.
“You can relax, Gran. I—”
Holy shit.
I freeze, unable to believe my eyes.
