Page 89 of The Fall

“Make it two then.” He winked. “So okay, without sounding like a total prying jerk, I did hear the ass end of your conversation. Was that Dean?”

“Why would you assume it was Dean?” I asked, knowing Rose had probably blabbed our history to him already.

“Honestly, I saw how far gone you were for him at the engagement party, and of course, there is Rose,” he chuckled. “She coined the phrase TMI.”

“Don’t I know it,” I said, starting his second sandwich.

“She’s been really worried about you lately. So, do you want to talk about it?”

“Taking this brother thing seriously, are you?” I teased, and he smiled. It nearly took my breath away. Grant was…beautiful with his shoulder-length dark hair and kind eyes. His size contradicted the air about him. The easiest way to describe him would be a gentle giant.

“Honestly, it takes a sucker in love to see one. I really wouldn’t be so damn interested if I weren’t on a high of my own. And yes, I want to help.” His smile was sincere as I cut his sandwiches in half, then stuck his plate in front of him, following it with a glass of milk. He looked adorable and a little childlike as he smiled in thank you. A dimple made an appearance right before he took a big bite of his sandwich.

“If you were in love with a woman and broke up with her and realized it was a mistake, would it take you seven years to go back and fight for her?”

“Wow,” he said quickly.

“I thought so.” Taking a big bite of my sandwich, I moaned in appreciation.

Grant thought for a minute. “You know I screwed up like that once. I met a girl who absolutely blew my mind when I was younger. I took her on a few dates and then decided not to get serious. By the time I had figured out I was actually interested in her, I was put in the friend zone.”

“How long did that take?”

“Almost a year,” he said truthfully.

“Seriously?” I shook my head, condemning him.

“It wouldn’t have mattered. I didn’t find my match until Rose. I’ve never been more certain. Live and learn, you know?” We ate for a few minutes in silence.

“Can I be honest with you?” He put down his sandwich and looked at me with caution written all over his face.

“Of course, Grant.”

“Women put a ton of emphasis on things like birthdays, anniversaries, how he proposed, things that matter to them.”

“Okay, so?” I tilted my head and looked at him curiously.

“So, men aren’t so much interested in things like that. I know I don’t see things that way. I know when I found Rose, I didn’t memorize what day it was. I didn’t give a shit what she was wearing. I knew I probably wouldn’t remember how she styled her hair ten years down the road. All I knew was that I was in love and that I had to have her. It takes the time it takes.”

“I know it seems like a petty argument, but I can’t seem to move past it. I’m trying to wrap my head around it. It just seems like I’m always the first to cave, like he’s always late to the party, like he’s always late…period,” I said, taking another bite of my sandwich.

“Exactly my point. How many times have you heard of a relationship going sour, and the minute the woman begins to move on, the man tries to step back in?”

“I just assume it’s jealousy, right? Like some territorial need to keep them hanging on?”

“Not necessarily.”

“Okay, brother, I’m all ears.” He smiled at my term, and I felt my chest squeeze. I was elated for my sister.

“Do you feel the same way for him that you did seven years ago?”

I nodded a yes slowly. “God, even more, I think.”

“To me, being a guy…from a guy’s point of view, that’s what matters most. I would think that’s all that matters to Dean.”

“I’m holding a grudge I have no right to hold. I’m mad at all the time we missed, and I’m holding it against him. I hate that he was going to marry someone else.”

“Understandable, but you’re counting anniversaries you’ve missed. He’s counting on a future with you.” I snapped my head up.

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