Page 23 of Some Like It Hot

“Yes. That’s how I met Elise. I was with Crew and Luna and Elise were out having a drink.”

That much is true.

“I’ve always wanted to go there. You should take me to pick up some desserts.”

Uh… “Sure. Any time.”

She smiles at me. “Is it serious?”

“The bakery?”

She gives a sound of impatience. “Your relationship with Elise.”

Oh, God. I’m lying to my grandmother. But I’m in too deep already. “Yes. Yes. So serious. Like, really serious.” I’m using my hands to talk, which is a tell that I’m lying. I drop them onto my lap and swallow hard. I’m already in it, now I have to win it.

That house is mine.

“I’d love to meet her. If you’re thinking about marrying her.”

Who the fuck mentioned marriage?

I’m sweating in my flannel shirt. “I’m sure she would love to meet you.”

If she knew my grandmother existed.

“Wonderful. After I get back from Florida. I’ll be back at the end of the month.”

“Sure.” And after I beg Elise to play along and pretend she’s my girlfriend.

“So she likes the lakes region? She’s happy to move up north with you?”

I highly doubt it. Elise seems like a nightlife and grabbing an Uber kind of girl.

I also can’t tell if my grandmother actually believes me or not, but she seems willing to play along.

So I nod. “Absolutely.”

“Then this is wonderful, Blakey!” She raises her glass in a toast. “I’m so happy for you. We really are celebrating!”

Celebrating the death of my retirement dreams unless I can convince one very self-assured woman, who’s probably pissed at me right now, that she has any reason whatsoever to help me.

Charm isn’t my strong suit.

I lift my glass up and clink Gran’s.

“Ninety days,” she adds, casually. “I want to meet her and see you’re in love within ninety days or the house goes on the market.”

I drink the lemon drop martini all in one giant swallow.

CHAPTER 6

Elise

We need to talk.

Who is this?

Blake

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