Page 63 of Broken Grump

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m floundering.”

“Oh.” Her tone was jovial at first, but now it’s turned more serious. “I’m so sorry. What’s going on?”

“Well, this stupid landowner, Errol—”

She chuckles and interrupts me. “Sorry, but what kind of name is that?”

“I don’t know!” I lift my arm up into the air and smack it down on my thigh in frustration. “But he’s older than a bag of rocks, I swear to God. I’m pretty sure his liver spots have liver spots, Sam. And then if he isn’t bad enough, he has to bring in his mega-religious son-in-law, Randall.”

“Another classic name for a fuddy-duddy.”

“Exactly! Yes. Thank you.” That’s one reason why I love her so much. She just always seems to get me. “Oh, and I didn’t tell you this yet. We had to go over to his cottage for a weird barbecue-Bible study event.”

“I’m sorry, what? That’s a thing?”

“Apparently! So, Hayden and I were there, and they all of a sudden started praying for us but like in a not-so-subtle way as to shame and basically condemn us for having a child before wedlock.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Slow your roll there, girlfriend. Hayden knows about Luna?”

Shoot.I realize I forgot to tell her about our secret relationship.

“No, not exactly. Well, at least not really.”

“Hold on. I need to sit down. You’re making my head spin.”

I know the feeling all too well.

“I’m sorry.” Of course, it wasn’t my intention to spread my carousel of a mind onto her. “Basically, all you need to know is that Hayden and I pretending to be a couple to appeal to Randall and his wife’s strict, Christian sensibilities.”

She’s quiet for a few moments.

“I know it’s crazy. Trust me, I do. But it seemed like a good idea when it was presented to me. After all—”

“After all, heisyour daughter’s father, and you do have a big crush on him.”

My goodness, she loves interjecting.

Through grated teeth, I say, “Only one of those statements is true.”

“Mhmm. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Adds.”

But then I realize that my next confession is only going to prove her right. “And there is this one teeny tiny detail about me randomly kissing him in my foyer the other night after we had dinner, and he insisted upon seeing Luna while she was fast asleep.”

“Oh, my God!” I’m grateful that she pulled the phone away from her mouth as she shouted that. “See? What did I tell you!”

“I know. But it turns out that it was a huge mistake. He just walked out of my house after that.”

“Hold up. He didn’t even kiss you back?”

“Well, no. I wouldn’t exactly say that.” The memories are now flooding back, and I can feel his mouth parting against mine.

“Earth to Addie?”

“Sorry.” I’m not sure how many times it’s taken for her to get my attention again.

“So, hedidkiss you.”

“For a bit. Yes. But that’s not the point. I was stupid to fall for his protective nature again. You should’ve seen him at dinner. He was playing with my hair, trying to hold my hand, and just ah! It was so nice.” I acted annoyed at the moment, but I actually loved every minute of it. “But it wasn’tforme,” I clarify. “It was all for show for Randall. Hayden wants one thing and one thing only. The land for his and my abuelo’s new hotel.”

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