Page 63 of Just My Luck
A tittering laugh escaped me as my grandfather frowned in my direction. I smiled brightly. “Great. I’ll get comfy. Deal me in to the next round?”
Ben scooted in his chair and patted the spot beside him. “Sit with me, Mama.”
Affection bloomed in my chest as I ruffled his hair and dropped a kiss on top of his head. “I’ll sit right here.” I took the open chair next to Ben and leaned toward him. “That way you can’t look at my cards like the little cheat you are!”
Ben laughed and dramatically pretended to peek over at me. I surveyed my grandfather. He looked younger and more content than I’d ever seen him. Moving out had been the right call—the man needed his privacy, and I was right to assume that a little distance from me and the children meant he had to step outside his comfort zone and be a tiny bit more social.
Apparently that included socializing with Bug King. I secretly looked at her and wondered about the mysterious matriarch of the King family. Sylvie adored her, and I’d never heard an ill word spoken about her. She was known to be a bit tough and no-nonsense, but there was no question that she was revered in Outtatowner.
She appeared to be a few years younger than my granddad. Her face had aged gracefully, and strands of silver were beautifully incorporated into her soft brown hair. Her eyes were Kings’—a myriad of darks and tans—but in the presence of my little family, they were expressive and kind.
After two rounds of Uno, the kids begged to play outside. I was nervous to let them go alone, but Granddad reassured me that Abel had done more than enough to make sure the cabin was “safer than Fort Knox.” I watched as Granddad fussed over Bug, offering her coffee and a few cookies, to which she obliged.
While he brewed the coffee, I eyed Bug carefully. “Sylvie questioned my intentions on Abel’s behalf today, but now I’m wondering if I don’t need to do the same with you.”
Bug laughed and fluffed her hair with a dismissive flick of her wrist. “Why, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
My lips pursed as I hid my amusement. “Mm-hmm.”
Bug lifted her shoulder. “I’ve known your grandfather for a very long time. Bax and I went to school together, though he was a few years older.”
From across the small kitchen, Granddad whistled. “So you’re... friends?”
Bug’s eyes slid to mine. “I suppose we’re as much friends as you and Abel. I take it your evening at the Wild Iris went well?”
I didn’t miss the slight tug at the corner of her mouth.
“Abel and I are—we’re—” I cleared my throat. “You see, things?—”
Shit.
Somehow Bug knew that my relationship with her nephew was changing, and given the fact he’d absolutely owned me last night, I didn’t have a leg to stand on.
Bug simply lifted an eyebrow.
I smiled softly and settled on, “I’m glad Granddad has a friend.”
Bug smiled. “Me too. And I’m pleasantly surprised you’ve been able to wear Abel down. He’s suffered so much by his own hand, and it’s not an easy thing for someone to get to know the real man he hides beneath the surface.”
I glanced down, tingling warmth filling my chest. “That’s funny. I don’t think he’s all that hard to figure out.”
Her chin dipped slightly. “That’s precisely my point. But I might suggest that whatever happens between the two of you... perhaps keep it close to the chest until you know for sure. For his sake.”
Who was this woman? She was far too insightful to deny my growing feelings for Abel and the complications they brought. “Agreed. I would ask you to please do the same for my grandfather.”
Bug smiled and offered a small nod.
My grandfather placed a small coffee cup in front of her, and I pinched the bridge of my nose to release the sting of emotion building there. “Okay, then. Can we never speak of this again?”
Confused, Granddad looked between us. “Speak of what?”
“Nothing!” Bug and I said in unison and laughed.
TWENTY-THREE
ABEL
“How many weddingshowers have you ever been to?” Sloane’s question was shouted down the hallway from the open door of her bedroom.