Page 101 of Billion Dollar Mistake

“I miss you too. See you Friday.”

“I’ll see you then.”

I hang up and stare at the phone as if it has the answers I am looking for. I’m finding time for her, which is something I didn’t think I could or would want to do. Why her? What is it about Nova that makes her so different from the others? I don’t know anything other than what I feel in my heart. In my gut. She could be the one.

I open the door and slip back inside.

“Did you tell her you love her?”

“What?” I ask totally surprised by the question.

“Did you tell her you’re falling in love with her?”

I snort. “Hell no.”

“Don’t swear.”

“Sorry, Grams.”

“You ought to.” She huffs her displeasure.

I meet her in the kitchen, with its beige marble counter and floor-to-ceiling wooden cabinetry. Two cups sit on the counter. My grandmother’s brown eyes stand out against her pale skin and white hair.

“Why?”

She turns, her gorgeous purple cardigan draping over her white collared dress as she reaches for a plate filled with cookies. Every time I visit, she has a fresh treat waiting. She bakes every week without fail. Even with her chefs, she still makes her own desserts. I reach for a cookie, but she leans over and lays her hand on my cheek, causing me to pause. It makes me feel like a kid again.

“Because you love her.”

I shake my head. “I don’t.”I didn’t say I wasn’t falling, but I’m not full-on in love with her. Fuck, give me a second to spend more time with her. I’m still scared she’ll leave just like my ex. That my work will drive a wedge between us.

“Your face is glowing.”

“Grams, are you unwell? I’m sure you’re seeing things now.”

She drops her hand. “You—”

The doorbell rings.

“Saved by the bell.” I wink and grab a peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie and take a big bite.

She shakes her head softly.

As I open the door, I see that it’s my parents.

I smile, and quickly greet them both, kissing my mom on the cheek and shaking my dad’s hand.

My mother has shoulder length freshly dyed brown hair and brown eyes, while my dad’s hair is now gray, although it used to be brown. His beard is neatly trimmed, longer than any of us boys. Both are in their early sixties and retired. Dad and Mom used to own Lincoln Media and Lincoln Gallery respectively. Nowadays, Dad plays golf while Mom teaches painting to those who can’t afford college. They used to travel together until Grams’ diagnosis. Now they prefer to stay put, with Dad spending every day with his mom.

My mom and Grams want to see all of us boys married with children. So, I take this as my cue to leave. I’ll let Gram tell my parents Nova is coming Friday for dinner; otherwise, I’m about to get another woman's opinion on how glowy I look. Like what is that? No, I’m not fucking glowing.

Happy? Yes. Glowy? Fuck no.

I kiss Gram and tell her I’ll see her Friday. Before I close the door behind me, I hear my mother and grams’ exchange.

“Guess what Jeremy did? He found a girl he’s willing to bring home.”

“He’s inviting a woman—” I hear my mother gasp as I shut the door.

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