Page 8 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

It’s the rawness of my situation that makes me want to snap back at him, demanding to know how he can say he thinks he knows who I am.

“Grandma will keep getting after us both if I don’t let you take it in, huh?” I ask meekly.

George’s brows furrow. It’s such a simple action, yet shows me something I don’t expect.

It’s not that fake concern I’ve grown used to.

Somehow, despite everything between us, he is genuinely concerned for me.

It’s just because of Grandma… but it still feels nice.

“Go ahead,” I sigh, handing him the suitcase. “I don’t want the drama of it, either.”

George nods, though he still searches my face.

I jump down on the other side of the truck, facing toward the ocean and away from the house.

Grandma mutters something and George answers, but I don’t hear their words.

When I glance over my shoulder, they’ve gone into the house.

Good. I need a moment to compose myself. This is all hitting me more powerfully than I anticipated.

As I gaze over the familiar landscape, my emotions calm.

I’m safe here.

Everything looks nearly the same. Even the old treehouse that George and I used to have sleepovers in is still in good shape.

I shake my head as I think of those nights. We were two innocent kids, telling ghost stories and trying to scare each other.

Only, when we did get scared, we always did our best to cheer each other up.

What I’m most grateful for is that Grandma is still healthy. I don’t visit as often as I’d like and often worry for her.

Balanced now, I head into the house.

While the outside looks much the same, the interior of the house has been gutted out. Plastic sheets hang over every doorway and inside the rooms are in various states of repair.

My jaw drops. “You didn’t tell me it was this bad!”

Grandma waves a hand. “Pa-shaw. I decided that it needed to be updated some. That’s all.”

George has put my suitcase on the stairs. When I meet his gaze, he grimaces. So Grandma isn’t being fully honest about this.

I open my mouth to argue but shut it again.

Nope. I can save that for later.

I hug Grandma instead. “I’ll put my stuff away and change into something else so I can help you in the garden.”

Grandma pats my back. “Good. Cause I have a lot for you to do!”

As I turn to head up the stairs, George laughs. “Let the gal have a rest, Lynn. She had a long drive from the city.”

“All the more reason to get to work,” Grandma retorts. She grins at him. “You’re just looking for a reason to get cozy, aren’t you?”

“Grandma!” My face burns with heat. “That’s so inappropriate.”

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