Page 31 of Hard to Fake

Nearly a quarter of a million followers.Princess is building a little empire of her own.

I’m not one of them, because if I looked at her posts on a regular basis, I’d probably have to leave a heart on them.

And if I did that, then I wouldn’t be able to help leaving a comment.

If I left a comment, I’d have to watch my mouth.

Otherwise, her brother would crawl so far up my ass that he’d feel firsthand the way my heart speeds up when she’s around and read into it.

“You deserve someone,” Grams says softly.

“I don’t need someone.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

My attention drifts to the family photos along one wall.

“Not every relationship is like your and grandpa’s,” I say.

“Not every relationship is like your parents’ either,” she fills in.

I shake my head because as much as I try to indulge her, she’s more romantic than I am.

I glance at the coffee table, cracking my knuckles. “We better get down to business. You rethink the offer on Park Place?”

“Only if you’re getting out of railroads.”

I sink into the chair opposite her across the Monopoly board, and we get down to it.

The box of cookies gets busted open, and even though she insists I partake, I only have one, leaving the rest for her.

Money goes back and forth. Winning isn’t the point. The point is to keep the game going.

She starts to yawn, which means it’s time for her nap. I stick my pile of cash in one corner and point at it.

“Don’t go collecting interest on this without me,” I warn.

She smiles and wraps her arms around my waist, as high as she can reach.

"Miles, you have a kind heart," she says, squeezing me. "Don't be afraid to let someone in.”

"I love you, Grams.” I bend to drop a kiss on her gray hair.

On my way out, I spot one of the staff, a young woman who waves me off distractedly until recognition lights up her face. "Hey, Miles."

"Hey, Trina. My grams was asking about an event, this dance thing?"

"We had to cancel it. Our social coordinator quit last week."

That’s probably why the music was out in the lounge too.

"The light is flickering in the hallway."

She nods absently. "Got it."

"Let me fix it while I'm here."

"No. You don’t need to.”

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