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  I gave an exasperated sigh and closed my eyes. This dinner was going to be an absolute nightmare, but my options were limited. If I go, I’d get to listen to Gram-Gram complain for a couple of hours, and if I don’t go, Mom and Gram-Gram would BOTH complain.

  “Fine,” I grumbled.

  “Thanks, honey, I’ll call back later to check in. Love you, bye,” she said.

  “Love you too, bye,” I replied. I shoved the phone back into my pocket and tried to stay focused as I stood back to admire my work.

  My mind was on autopilot as I walked to the dining area to help with the evening cleanup before closing time. I had to prepare myself for tonight, because I could only take Gram-Gram in small doses, and dinner with her was a very big dose to handle.

  “How’s it look?” asked Jayce.

  “How’s what look?”

  He squinted his eyes and searched my face for a few moments before it dawned on me. “Oh! You’re talking about the flowers, right? They’re sitting on the desk if you want to check them out,” I replied.

  “Are you feeling okay?” he asked.

  “Yes … no … well … ” I stammered. “I have dinner tonight with my grandmother and she’s a bit of a handful.”

  Jayce nodded and took the sugar container from me. “Grandmother’s usually are handfuls. Maybe you should just wipe the tables down.”

  “Why?” I asked, pulling my face into a frown.

  “Because you’re about to refill the sugar containers with salt again,” he pointed out.

  I looked down and realized the mistake I was about to make. “Sorry,” I muttered.

  Jayce laughed and threw his arm over my shoulder. “I’m sure it will be okay. Don’t worry about doing the refills; I’ll take care of those in a little while.”

  He gave me a tight squeeze before disappearing through the double doors. I was nearly done cleaning up when I heard the main door chime. Connor walked in and our eyes met as he made his way to the register.

  “Hey, Brenda,” he said casually in my direction. “You’re working here now?”

  I tossed the towel onto the table and folded my arms. “My name is Bri, you asshole,” I snapped.

  The grin on his face expanded tenfold. “That’s no way to talk to a customer,” he replied. “Especially a customer you caused to lose a very large commission.”

  Oh, I amuse you? We’ll see how amused you are when I pour a cup of steaming hot coffee down your pants.

  “You’re not a customer,” barked Jayce, coming back through the double doors. “Now get out of my café.”

  “I’m a paying customer and I don’t have to go anywhere,” said Connor. He leaned against the counter in an act of defiance. He clearly didn’t plan to leave quietly.

  Jayce smiled, but it was not his usual smile, it was more of a sinister scary smirk. He looked like he planned on rearranging Connor’s face, and the scary part was, it looked like something he would enjoy. A sense of panic coursed through my veins as he took several steps toward Connor. My hands involuntarily trembled as the pair came toe to toe.

  “Don’t test me, and don’t let this apron fool you into thinking you won’t get hurt,” Jayce muttered.

  “Oh really, tough guy? You don’t know me,” Connor snarled.

  I prepared myself for a fight … just in case.

  Do I jump in and help Jayce or will that make it worse? Will it embarrass him? This is technically my problem. I wish Connor would just leave. Maybe I still have time to grab that hot cup of coffee.

  “Really?” asked Jayce. “Because I think I know you quite well. Mr. Connor Benjamin O’Neil, residing at 2824 Bevlin Way, on the 15th floor, with a house code of 11292. Your vehicle and condo are in your grandmother’s name, Beverly O’Neil. How’s that cat of hers doing? Butterscotch is her name, right?”

  My mouth flapped open at the high level of creepiness oozing from Jayce. Connor’s mouth dropped open too as he fluttered his eyes. His skin quickly paled, making him appear washed out and ghostlike.

  “If you even think about going near my grandmother,” he stammered.

  “I don’t have an issue with your grandma, my issue is with you. Listen to me real well … stay away from Bri. If you see her on the street, make sure you go the other way. Stay away from this café too. You can get your coffee from somewhere else. If you choose to ignore my advice … just know … I’ll find you.”

  Connor’s eyes briefly cut over to me as he took a few steps back. He slowly turned on his heels and made his way out the door with one last look over his shoulder.

  My eyes flickered over to Jayce, who was calmly watching the door.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, glancing over at me.

  My voice was trapped in my throat but I managed to squeak something out that resembled “yes.”

  “If he comes back or messes with you again let me know,” he said gently.

  “Okay,” I mumbled.

  He grabbed his towel and looked around the sitting area. “Well, I think we’re done here. I’ll lock up and walk you to your car.”

  I followed him to the office to get my things. “Thanks for standing up for me. You didn’t have to do it, but I appreciate the fact that you did. How did you know all that stuff about Connor anyway?”

  “First of all,” he said, scooping up the vase of flowers, “I did have to do it. Your feelings are important to me, and I won’t allow someone to treat you like crap and get away with it. You’re a good person and you didn’t deserve to be treated the way he treated you. And to answer your other question, I know people that can find out anything I need to know. After your little fiasco, I did a little digging just to see what I could find,” he replied with a wink. “That guy is a poser living off his grandmother. I know you don’t want me to, but I can’t guarantee that I won’t hurt him if he bothers you again.”

  Wow. That’s the sweetest, creepiest thing anybody has ever said to me. I kind of wish Connor would show up just so I can see them fight. I’d be there to wipe away the sweat from Jayce’s hot body … .

  “Bri, are you okay? You keep spacing out on me.”

  I walked with him to the parking lot and opened my car door. “Uh yeah, sorry about that. Good luck with Vivianne tonight,” I said.

  “Thanks, try to have a good time with your grandma. I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you think,” he said.

  His kind words fell on deaf ears, because one thing I knew for certain, there was no such thing as a good time with Gram-Gram.

  Chapter Twelve

  I had just enough time to get home and shower before running back out the door. Gram-Gram was already standing outside in front of her house with her arms crossed by the time I rounded the corner. My tires brought me to a screeching halt right in front of her.

  She opened the door and the familiar scent of her Chanel perfume made my stomach do a series of flips.

  “You’re late, Brianna, you’re always late. I pray you don’t drive like that on the way to the restaurant,” she muttered.

  “Hello, Gram-Gram,” I replied under my breath. “My day was great, thanks for asking.”

  She cut her eyes over at me before yanking her seatbelt across her chest. “Don’t you dare get sassy with me, young lady.”

  “Sorry,” I grumbled.

  “Turn the radio to something I want to listen to,” she ordered.

  I took a deep breath and counted to ten before reaching over to change the station.

  What difference does the station make? You’re just going to sing over whatever song is playing … and it won’t even be the same song.

  Gram-Gram started singing her own tune right on cue.

  Seriously? You could at least sing the song that’s playing. I’m going to develop some type of nerve condition from being around her too long.

  “Brianna, watch the road! Don’t you see the light is yellow? That means stop,” she shouted.

  “It just turned yellow, and it doesn’t mean stop, it means slow down,�
�� I replied, trying to calmly explain the rules of the road.

  Gram-Gram leaned her head over and folded her arms again. “I’ve been driving longer than you have been alive. I think I know what a yellow light means. Speaking of lights, why were you late picking me up? You know I hate being late.”

  Speaking of lights? What in the hell did lights have to do with me being late?

  “I have a new job and I needed to shower before I picked you up,” I explained.

  That response seemed to satisfy her long enough for us to get to the restaurant and get seated. My hand involuntarily clutched my fork as Gram-Gram had the waitress go through nearly everything on the menu before ordering her usual baked chicken and steamed vegetables.

  What’s the freaking point of asking about the specials if you have zero intentions of actually selecting one!

  As soon as we handed the menus back to the waitress, I caught a glimpse of a devious look in Gram-Gram’s eyes, which spelled trouble for me.

  “Brianna, I have a little surprise for you,” she said.

  My heart pounded in my chest and I heard a not-so calming rush of blood in my ears. “Really?” I croaked.

  “Yes,” she said. “I have a friend whose grandson is single, so we worked a little magic and now you have a date.”

  “I have a what?” I asked nervously, praying I heard her wrong the first time.

  Gram-Gram grinned from ear to ear as if she’d just announced I’d won the lottery. I’m not sure if it was because of the look of horror plastered on my face or if she really thought she was doing me a favor by setting me up with somebody.

  “He’s an absolutely lovely young man. I believe Gladys said he worked on computers or something as a technical engine,” she said.

  “Engineer?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she snapped waving her hand, dismissing my correction. “Engine … engineer … it’s all the same.”

  No it’s not.

  “Hmmm let’s see,” she said. “He has dark hair, very stylish, and he’s over six feet tall. I’m just asking you to give the man a chance. Nobody is going to make you marry him … although it would be nice.”

  I closed my eyes, pinched my leg, and counted to ten again.

  “Brianna, wake up!” she yelled. “I have one more surprise for you.”

  Dear God, no! No more surprises.

  I held my breath and waited for her to break the news to me.

  “I have an appointment set up next week for you,” she said beaming.

  “An appointment?” I asked carefully.

  “Yes,” she said. “Well, actually it’s for the consultation you’ll need to have before you’re able to get your eggs frozen.”

  It felt like a bomb had gone off in the building. I felt flames of rage licking over my skin as I trembled from head to toe.

  “YOU DID WHAT?” I bellowed.

  Everyone’s heads swiveled over in our direction. One couple leaned over and offered hushed whispers to one another as they shot nasty glares at me. The man to my left cleared his throat and looked on in disgust.

  “That’s no way to talk to this elderly woman,” he snapped. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  I’m not sure what clicked in my brain, but I freaked the hell out.

  “Me? I should be ashamed? How about you turn around, eat that dry ass steak, and mind your own damn business!”

  The entire restaurant was eerily silent now. “It’s quiet enough to hear a mouse piss on cotton” as my deceased grandfather would say.

  “Brianna,” hissed Gram-Gram. “You apologize to this gentleman immediately. In fact, you apologize to this entire restaurant for being so rude.”

  “Gram-Gram, I’m going to the car. If you want to eat your food, then that’s fine. I will be outside waiting,” I said through clenched teeth. I was afraid to sit in the restaurant any longer, because if I did the table may end up flipped over. My mouth was clamped together so hard the muscles in my jaw ached.

  Once inside my car, I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the steering wheel, my emotions stewed in a pot of fury.

  My life is a fucking open book available for everybody to read and criticize. I’m the one that deserved a damn apology, not her.

  The door opened and closed as Gram-Gram got in. I heard the soft rustling of plastic bags being situated as she shuffled around some more.

  “Your food is boxed up to go, and I suppose you can eat it at home. Your rude behavior inside was unnecessary,” she huffed. “You embarrassed me in front of that entire restaurant and then you had the gall to use foul language in front of me. Just wait until I speak to your mother about this.”

  “The only thing that’s unnecessary is your unwelcome meddling,” I said, trying to remain calm.

  I ignored her as she inhaled sharply, probably ready to protest. “I’m not trying to be rude or disrespectful, Gram-Gram. But this is my body and you can’t dictate what I do with it. It’s not right. I’m a human being, not some farm animal. I’m not going anywhere to have anybody do anything to my eggs.”

  “I’m only trying to help,” she replied. “I don’t want you to get too old and can’t have kids. I’m getting on in age and I want to see my great-grandbabies. Is that too much to ask?”

  “You’re not that old and I have quite a few baby making years ahead of me. There’s still time,” I said.

  “I just don’t want you to end up all alone like me,” she whispered, dabbing at the tears in her eyes.

  Shit.

  “Gram-Gram, you’re not alone. I’m sorry for anything I’ve done to make you feel that way. My time will come soon enough, but until then let’s just enjoy each other’s company,” I said. “And leave my eggs out of it.”

  “Okay,” she said, perking up a bit. “We can leave it alone for now. Let’s go to my house and eat our dinner. I doubt the restaurant wants us to come back inside.”

  “Sure, Gram-Gram, whatever you want,” I said with a sigh of relief. I was just glad she stopped crying.

  Those people probably think there’s a special seat in hell for me because of the way I behaved anyway. I was so relieved we had finally had this talk, and I felt less on edge about everything. Maybe she’ll back off a little and let me breathe.

  “Will you still go on the date I set up for you?” she asked with an exaggerated sniffle. Leave it to Gram-Gram to capitalize on my weak moment.

  “Yes, ma’am, I will,” I replied politely.

  She turned her head toward the window and formed the biggest smile I had ever seen.

  Chapter Thirteen

  After my semi-decent dinner with Gram-Gram, I headed home ready to relax. Tonight was going to be a pajama kind of night especially since I had the day off tomorrow. I quickly changed clothes and went into the kitchen to fix a little refreshment tray for the Golden Girls marathon coming on in half an hour. The bottle of wine chilling in the fridge was perfect for the occasion, so I grabbed it and searched for a clean wine glass. A few minutes of fruitless searching ended with me realizing I needed to wash dishes at some point in the near future. I opened the cabinet one last time and settled on a mason jar.

  A mason jar filled with wine, how classy.

  I grabbed a bowl for the cheese balls and took my snacks to the living room. All I needed to complete the picture was a cat purring by my side, but there was no hope in getting one of those. Mom’s allergic and thought cats were sneaky and just a touch creepy.

  I got my blanket and settled in for the marathon. In the middle of the second episode, I heard a knock at the door. I kicked the blanket off and muted the TV just to be sure I’d heard correctly. Another knock pounded on the door as confirmation.

  Who in the hell is that?

  I tip-toed across the carpet and grabbed the baseball bat I kept next to the door. My mind ran through the list of people that would show up at this time of the night, but none of them would knock on the door. Whoever was knocking better be prepared for what I had clutched in my
hands.

  “Who is it?” I yelled.

  “It’s Jayce! I know it’s late, but I wanted to talk to you,” he replied.

  I pulled open the door still holding on to the bat.

  “Am I interrupting baseball practice or something?” he teased.

  “No,” I mumbled. “You scared the crap out of me. C’mon in and have a seat.”

  Jayce walked in and eyed the living room as he made himself comfortable on one end of the couch. I sat down and his eyes zeroed in on my mini picnic on the table.

  “It looks like I’m interrupting your personal time. I can leave if you want me to and just catch up with you later,” he offered.

  I snuggled back under my blanket and grabbed my wine. “Don’t be silly. I don’t mind the company, it’s not like I’m doing anything. Would you like some wine? I don’t have any clean wine glasses available, so don’t laugh at the mason jars.”

  “You’re drinking wine out of that jar?” he asked before erupting into a fit of laughter.

  “I told you not to laugh!” I yelled playfully throwing a pillow in his direction.

  “By now you should already know telling me not to laugh at something is pointless. Once you tell me that, I feel required to laugh at whatever you’re about to say or do,” he said still chuckling.

  I rolled my eyes and sipped my wine. “Oh shut up. How did everything go with Vivianne?”

  The smile on his face dimmed just a tad at the mention of the wicked witch. “Well she wasn’t too happy with the flowers. She complained about them not being roses. I tried to explain to her that roses are overdone, but she didn’t care. She wouldn’t even accept them at all. Aside from that, her breasts are huge, just like I thought they would be. She claims she’s still swollen and they won’t be that big after she heals, but I’m not so sure about that.”

  I gathered my nerves and asked something I’d been dying to ask for a long time. “Why are you fighting so hard to keep her?”

  Jayce shrugged his shoulders and clasped his hands behind his head. “I love her, plain and simple. She didn’t used to be so bitchy, but I still have faith she can go back to being the old Vivianne, my Vivi.”