Page 74 of Dating and Dragons
“I can’t trust the lot of you,” she says, and throws up her hands.
“We only want you to have the best life you can,” Mom says. “Eric’s done a lot of research on this. You saw how exceptional the retirement community is.”
“You mean the old folks’ home where people go to die.”
“Mom, if you’d just listen, then I think you’d see how great this can be. We’re not sending you there to die—we’re sending you there tolive.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Dad sounds like a paid spokesman.
“They have maintenance on staff so if something is broken, you can get it fixed right away—imagine how much time that’ll save. And they have a common building with all kinds of activities for the residents. Game nights and movie nights and art classes. They even have a pickleball court!” Dad gestures at me. “You can still play pickleball with Quinn.”
“You can show everyone how you kick my butt.”
“Well, that part would be fun.” She sniffs. “You all deserve to be kicked in the butt.”
Mom chuckles and Grandma seems temporarily mollified, but I’m sure it won’t last. Dad has been working toward this for a while, but Grandma is going to fight us every inch of the way. Which is why he wanted both Andrew and I overhere to start putting things in boxes and sorting things for donations as soon as possible. He’s lucky she’s supposed to stay off her feet for now, or she’d probably come after him with a broom.
Grandma takes a sip of her water. “You know, I texted somebody else to come by—someone who I’m sure will take my side. He’ll be here soon.”
Dad blows out a breath. “Please tell me you didn’t call your lawyer.”
But I think I know who she’s talking about. Sure enough, there’s a gleam in her eye when she gestures at me.Oh no.
“It’s Quinn’s friend. Logan.”
My mouth drops open as the others turn to stare at me. Grandma texted him and he didn’t tell me? I pull out my phone just in case, but there are no new messages. That little double-crosser. Choosing my sherbet-loving grandmother over me.
“Are you talking about the boy who helped clean out the attic?” Dad asks.
“Yes. He always does what I ask of him, unlikesomeof you.” She nods confidently.
Oh dear Lord, Logan is coming here.Now.With my parents and brother here. Grandma really knows how to get back at me for tattling.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sure enough, the doorbell rings a few minutes later. I drop the novels I was boxing up and sprint for the door. “I’ll get it!”
I yank it open to find Logan in his winter coat with Sloane’s beanie pulled down low on his forehead. Ohio weather is so unpredictable and today has been especially cold. He gives me a lopsided grin and I melt like snow in the heat of the sun. He shouldn’t be allowed to have this kind of effect on me when I’m trying to be annoyed.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper.
“Barbara texted,” he says simply. “When your grandma texts, I come.”
I roll my eyes. He’s too cute. No wonder he’s usurped me and Andrew to become her favorite grandchild.
“Plus, I wanted to see how you were doing,” he continues.
I shake my head. “I appreciate it, but now isn’t the time. We’re all here cleaning out the house. Like,MomandDadare here. And Grandma is out for blood. I don’t think you should be meeting my family for the first time right now.”
“But I brought her a pint of sherbet.” He holds up a smallbag.
“Wow, you’re a suck-up. Are you trying to get in the will or something?”
“Areyoutrying to waste my future inheritance on heating bills?” He gestures to the doorframe. “It’s freezing out here.”
“Fine.” I step aside and let him walk in. I try to keep my annoyance in the forefront of my mind. If I’m annoyed, it’s easier to ignore how adorable he looks with his hair sticking out of his beanie. Or how his thoughtfulness for Grandma makes my insides turn to goo.
His hand slips into mine and he squeezes. “I’m glad to see you, despite your dessert-related hostility.”