Page 303 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

Kain: Time to Chill. Something casual. How does that sound?

Eva: Fine. I just needed to know what to wear.

Kain: You’ll look wonderful no matter what you wear.

Eva: Easy for someone with a six-pack to say. Still working on mine.

Kain: I can help you.

I was certain he meant his gym, but my mind went to places that had nothing to do with abdominal machines.

Eva: I’ll keep that in mind. See you soon!

Did I want him to help me? I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a trainer yet. His body proved that he was effective and disciplined, so if I were serious about firming up, I could use his guidance. He probably had several pieces of core and abdominal equipment that weren’t available at my small gym.

Did he have tattoos all over his body? And what did the art mean?

Staring at my closet, I chose a long light yellow dress with thin straps and a light jacket, pairing with a pair of brown flats I’d just gotten online. The ensemble was perfect for the April weather. I braided my long brown hair and added silver earrings.

Grandpa entered my bedroom. “You look beautiful.”

I smiled. “Thank you.” This was the perfect opportunity to get some answers. “Are you playing matchmaker, Grandpa?”

Eyes wide, he held up his hands like a caught criminal. “Hear me out, sweetheart. I like the boy. I liked how he chased after that thief to retrieve your purse. I liked the way he carried himself. He was courteous and friendly.”

“Based purely on that, you asked a stranger to lunch? Do you do that often?”

“No, but I went on a hunch.” He sat down on the edge of my bed and patted the spot beside him. When I joined him, he cupped my hand in his. “Truth is, I saw the way he looked at you. The way he focused on you. There was more than just an attraction there. I know I looked at your grandmother the same way. It was love at first sight for me.” His wise eyes warmed. “I had a feeling you weren’t ‘unfamiliar’ to him. Or he to you.”

He had tapped into her intuition after all. The whole situation made a little more sense now.

“We don’t know each other,” I said, not wanting to discuss our first encounter. I’d end up sitting in my bedroom for a while talking to Grandpa.

“That can take time. Right now, just have fun. You’re still young. Go out and see who can make you feel loved and worthy. See what you like so that you can weed out what you don’t like. If you’re always hiding from the past, you’re never going to move forward.”

There was the truth. Grandpa knew about my recent relationship with Dennis.

“One flawed man doesn’t mean all of them are flawed, Eva. I mean, we all have flaws, but there are levels. Dennis was a rotten apple. Kain appears like a decent and stable man with a plan for the future. It takes courage and responsibility to run several businesses and take care of that fine body.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Grandpa!” I shook my head in disbelief and amusement.

I couldn’t believe I was having this conversation with him.

“What? I was young once. I know what you girls look at and wonder.” He rubbed his round belly. “I don’t have those Superman abs anymore, but other qualities make up for it. I want to make sure my favorite granddaughter finds the happiness she deserves.”

“You mean your only granddaughter.”

“My only and my favorite,” he said. “Forgive yourself for any past mistakes, Eva. We all make them. Move on.” He ran a hand down my back. “Give yourself a chance to be happy again. Don’t let one jerk ruin it for everyone. You have so much love to give. Don’t let it go to waste.”

I didn’t know why, but tears welled up in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. I had so much love and support around me. Why did I allow a dark past to hold me back? Grandpa was right. It was time for me to start over. Relationships were like floral arrangements; if I failed at one, I could make a new one—a better one.

Maybe I had a chance with Kain, and maybe I didn’t. But I’d never know if I didn’t take the first step.

Grandpa offered me a tissue. “Don’t let tears ruin your makeup. Even if they were happy tears.”

God, how did he know everything?

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay home alone?”

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