Page 26 of The Friendly Fall

“Granny,” I stop her, letting out a heavy sigh. “It doesn’t matter what Devon was, or how cute you think that Nick and I would be together. The best I can do with any man right now is to befriends.”

She studies me for a moment in silence and then pulls out a chair beside me at the kitchen table. “You know, Eliza, you can’t give up on love yet. You’re only twenty-nine.”

“Yeah,” I snort, trying not to sound as bitter as I feel. “I’mtwenty-nine. Most of my peers are married with kids—some of them are even in school already. It’s probably too late for me.”

She frowns. “It’s not too late at all.”

“Well, regardless, I don’t think it’s even worth the risk of getting hurt again. I think I’d rather adopt a couple of cats and accept my fate.”

“You can adopt some catsandfind love…” She smirks.

I hold my tongue because there’s no winning an argument with this woman. My eyes flicker back to the image of Nick. His blue eyes are laser-focused on the level he has positioned on the post; the glow of the setting sun illuminates his face, and his jawline, dotted with stubble.

There’s no doubt that if Iwaslooking for love, he might be in my sights. Except for the fact that he’swayout of my league.

“I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. I know you thought you’d be settled down by now; and maybe being here is making the reality of your situation sink in a little more,” Granny says, placing a hand on my shoulder. “But just promise me something, okay?”

“Depends on what it is.” My voice is wary as I turn to meet her soft gaze.

“Don’t give up on love. I know it sounds cliché and maybe it is, but honey, you’ve got so many years of life left to live. You might not be ready for it right now, but love is going to come again for you. I know it.”

I let out a sigh, resigning to making the promise. “Okay.” I mean, sure, I guess I won’t completely give up on love … but I have no intention of just letting it happen.

My walls are basically the Great Wall of China at this point. It’ll probably take a whole army to tear them down.

“Good, thank you.” She pats my shoulder and stands to her feet.

I smile, the thoughts of love fading away as I close out of the browser.

“Also, I meant to tell you, it’s bingo night tonight. Frank takes me every other week to go play down at the church. You can come if you want.”

“You know, as fun as that sounds, I think you deserve to have the night out on the town without me. You’re stuck with me enough as it is.”

“Ilikebeing stuck with you.” Granny kisses the top of my head. “It’s nice to not be alone for once.”

The words hit as she walks away, and my heart sinks at the thought of my granny spending the years since my pops passed all on her own. As selfish as it is, I never thought that much about it while I was offliving in Chicago. I was much more focused on my own life than anything else.

No wonder Dad was always pestering my brother and me to come visit her.

I swallow the pang of guilt in my throat. The truth is, my work schedule at my previous job made a social life nearly impossible, much less an out-of-town trip to West Falls—I could barely get away from that place. But I’m making up for all the lost time now.

Granny might actually get sick of me before it’s all over.

I laugh at the thought as my phone dings with a text message.

Amy:IS THAT THE FIREMAN?!

I roll my eyes and type my reply.

Me:His name is Nick. And yes. I needed photos of actual people for my portfolio so I snapped a few of him while he was working on the ramp.

Amy:Get it, giiiiiiirl!

Before I can respond, my laptop dings with a notification.

Leaning forward, I squint at the small words:Martha Walters liked your photo.

My heart skips a beat. I click the notification, and sure enough, there’s an older woman’s profile picture. Nick favors her, but only in his nose and eyes.

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