Page 10 of Born to Make You Smile

I scurried over to the TV just as the front door unlocked, my socks sliding on the hardwood floor before I launched myself onto the couch.

“Hello, Grace,” Gavin said, strolling into the family room with his jacket off and tie loosened. “How were the girls?”

“Delightful.” I smiled, trying not to sound winded. “We had a blast.”

“Good, good.”

“How was dinner?” I asked, brushing a wayward coil of hair out of my eyes. I stood and fixed my shirt in an attempt to compose myself.

“Great actually. I'm seeing Michelle again next weekend.”

Her name wasMichelle.

“Wonderful.” I forced a smile. “Same bat time, same bat channel?”

He sighed. “No pressure, only if you are free.”

Truthfully, I looked forward to watching the girls. It brought me so much joy and happiness. Not to mention, it was a good distraction from the pressures of my everyday life.

“I’ll be here,” I said to Gavin and turned off the TV.

“I'll order in next week. Pizza or something.”

He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet, then handed me two hundred-dollar bills. “For you.”

“Gavin.” I frowned. “That’s a lot. I can’t accept that.”

I hated accepting money, especially from Gavin, who had already done so much for me. It made me feel like an impoverished charity case.

“Please. You earned every penny.”

As I glanced at his outstretched hand, I thought about how helpful that extra cash would be. I hesitated, then accepted the money. “Thank you.”

“Do you need me to escort you home?”

If it was after eleven, he was always adamant about walking me home despite it being a ten-second walk away.

He licked his lips, and it made my body flush.

“No worries. I’m good,” I said.

I managed to mutter a hurried good night, then darted out the door, praying I’d forget all about that steamy kiss.

When I got home, I texted Ethan back, accepting his offer for a date.

FIVE

My mother was acollector. She loved the thrill of a good find and holding on to sentimental pieces. Her bronze figurines, which she displayed on a shelf in the hallway, had been passed down from her mom, my Oma, who died when I was eight years old.

My mom, Lena, was born in Austria and came to Canada with her parents when she was five. They’d lived in Halifax for several years until moving to Toronto in the early eighties. My mother became pregnant with me at a young age. She married my father, who left when I was two years old and never returned. While I didn’t have a single memory of my father, I’d been told he was controlling and selfish. And that ultimately, my mother and I were better off without him. After he left, my mom had to find her own way. She had no work experience. No diploma or degree. She had nothing but the house. She attended college tobe a paralegal, then found work at a successful firm downtown. She’d always tell me:Men show their control with money. Never let them control you like that. Don't be like me, Grace. Be independent. Have your own income. No one can take that away from you.

My eyes ran over the glass display cases in the living room. The Royal Doulton collectibles and horse paraphernalia. My mother adored horses. She used to tell me she would have been an equestrian if not for her leg injury.

She picked out every piece of furniture and decor item in our home. Her signature eclectic style carried through every room. I meticulously kept the house exactly as she’d left it although evidence of the years began to show. The tarnished furniture. The peeling of the aged wallpaper. The shifting and loosening of the hardwood floors. I also noticed several sizable cracks in the ceiling above the bay window. Those were definitely new. And slightly concerning.

Thebing-bongof the doorbell shifted my attention. I’d completely lost track of time. Hurried, I swiped on a layer of pink lip gloss and took one last glance in the mirror. I scrunched my curls, then adjusted the cotton straps of my green dress before answering the door.

“Ethan,” I said, my eyes running over him. He looked as if he had just stepped off a photo shoot, perfectly groomed and styled in a fitted gray dress shirt and black pants.

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