Page 109 of Loving the CEO

"Thank you! I'm going to borrow that word. Every time someone tells me I'm over the top, I'll just say, ‘I'm expressive.’ Yeah, I like that much better.” She sighed. “Maybe I should rein myself in today. Nick looks like he's going to bolt from the house any second now."

I laughed. "That was my impression too."

"I didn't mean to scare him away. Quite the contrary.” She looked at me intently. “You know, I do have a reason for overtly pointing out how happy couples can be.”

"Really?"

"All of the boys grew up thinking it's impossible to actually have a happy ending as a couple."

I stilled. "Because of their parents?"

"Yes. Each set of grandkids had their own trauma. For the longest time, I started to think that maybe Abe and I are an exception. But I’mso happy that my boys did open up their hearts. I always thought Leo would be the most difficult nut to crack. Well, him and Colton.”

"Interesting that you’d pair the two of them together."

"They’re the same in many ways! They each guard their heart fiercely. But Colton also had the burly exterior to pair with that to effectively keep everyone at arm's length."

"Leo isn't like that at all, but—”

"Gran, please stop scaring Tory away," Leo said, joining us in the kitchen.

I turned, giving him a half smile. "Shoo, shoo. You go back. Your gran and I were having fun."

Chapter Twenty-Six

Leo

I zeroed in on Tory to make sure she wasn't just faking it for Gran's sake. But she didn't show any signs of feeling cornered. Still, I was going to stay with them because Gran could go from zero to fire in no time at all.

"Since you're here, you can carry one of the platters," Tory said.

"Sure. Happy to loan my muscle."

Tory grabbed one plate, and I took the other one. Gran beamed at us.

"You two will bring some beautiful great-grandkids into the family."

I was too stunned to react.

Tory, on the other hand, loosened her grip but managed to get ahold of her plate once again—except for the five tarts, or whatever they were, that landed on the floor.

"I’msosorry," she mumbled, setting the platter down.

"I'll get them, babe. Don't worry."

She laughed nervously. "Thanks."

"Was it something I said?" Gran asked.

And then, to my astonishment, Tory rolled her shoulders back and said, "Jeannie, that was a bit too much even for you."

Gran jerked her head back slightly. I had real respect for my woman. She’d just chastised grandmother in a very polite and kind but also firm way.

"Too expressive?" Gran asked her, smiling.

Tory laughed. "Way too expressive."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did I miss something?"

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