Page 25 of Dating and Dragons

“I think it’s good to follow your passions in life,” Grandma continues. “Focus on what brings you happiness.”

I nod and focus all my energy on my ice cream, which is bringing me simple happiness, mostly because each mouthful is a great excuse to not talk.

“I bet you’re pretty strong between all this ice cream scooping and helping out your dad,” Grandma continues.

I cringe. This conversation is getting more uncomfortable by the nanosecond. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t already noticed the same thing, but there’s no way I’m looking anywhere but my ice cream.

“Sure?” he replies.

“Perfect. Tell Chuck that his favorite client, Barbara, needs you to help get some boxes out of the attic.”

I jerk my head up. “What?” I turn to Logan. “No, you don’t have to do that. I can help, plus Dad and Andrew can come over if there are things to move.”

“Nonsense. Andrew is always busy, and your dad isn’t as young as you think he is. His back is bothering him even though he doesn’t like to admit it.” She leans toward Logan. “You can come by, right?”

“Well…um…yeah, I probably could. If you need me.”

“I do. You’re a lifesaver. With a dad like yours, I know you’ll be a big help.” She grins widely and I know she’s up to something. “And you’ll need to come, too, my dear.” She pats the top of my hand.

I slump with the realization. She’s trying to set us up. You’vegotto be kidding me.

Logan pulls out his phone and looks at the time. “I should probably get back. I can feel Mr.Avery’s glare burning through my back.”

“Come Wednesday. My usual pickleball game is canceled.”

“Will do.” He glances at me. “I guess I’ll see you then, Quinn?”

“Um, I guess so.”

I wait until he’s behind the counter with his back turned before swiveling to face her. “Whatare you doing? Why did you just invite him to your house?”

“For you, of course.” She takes a last bite of her sherbet, looking incredibly pleased with herself. “This really is great sherbet.”

“Forme? I’m not looking for excuses to see Logan.”

“Maybe you are, maybe you aren’t.”

I glare at her.

“He seems like a nice boy—much better than those rude ones in the parking lot. And his best quality is that he likes you. I could tell the moment he saw you walk into the store.”

“I don’t want to date Logan. He’s too unpredictable. One minute he seems to like me, the next he wants nothing to do with me. Not that I’ve thought seriously about the idea.”

“Oh no, of course not,” she says, and readjusts herrose-covered silk scarf. “If you don’t like him, then fine. You can go through some boxes and that will be that. I just thought having a date might be nice since you’re at a new school and still getting to know people. I will say, there’s something about him that reminds me of your grandfather. He was so nervous around me that he avoided me for two months before I cornered him in the hallway and asked him to the movies.”

I snort. She and Grandpa are nothing like this situation with Logan. And now I’m going to be stuck in Grandma’s dusty attic with him.

“Why did you ask him to move boxes of all things? I’ve never heard you talk about the attic.”

“I know what your father and mother are up to. They talked to me about moving.”

“Oh.” I’ve been scared to bring it up. “So…you’re doing it? You’re starting to pack up?”

“Absolutely not. I’ve lived in that house for a quarter century and the only way I’m leaving is in a body bag.”

My eyes fly open at the horrible image.

“But I can see your father’s point about downsizing. I shouldn’t leave you all with so much to clean out after I’m gone, so I thought I’d start pitching stuff and reorganizing. And now you and Logan can help me.”

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