Page 40 of Branded Hearts

“Oh, really now?”

“Yep! He even came past our table before we left to leave his number with her,” I admit, as I recall the encounter.

Grace just smiles at me.

“Yeah, yeah. They just can’t help themselves,” Liv adds with a chuckle.

I can’t help but marvel at Liv’s confidence. She’s always been so sure of herself, in the way she speaks, presents herself, talks to guys, talks about them. I wonder if I’ll ever be like that. But it’s not in my nature, I remind myself.

I’m just not wired like that.

“When did I raise ya to be so full of yourself, girl?” Grace says with a hand on her hip. “You know them boys like humble women.”

“Yeah, exactly, boys,” Liv says, making air quote signs. “I think I need to find myself aman.”

“Olivia Mitchell,” Grace says, whacking her with the cloth in her hand. “You best hope that your father doesn’t ever hear this sort of yarn. Keep your voice down,” she chides. Liv just rolls her eyes and shoots me a look.

I can’t help but giggle.

“Besides,menare too old for you, young lady. You need to find yourself a nice, compassionate fella,” Grace advises.

“Sure thing, Ma. You’ll be waiting for as long as a wet weekend,” Liv quips.

“Well, I bloody hope not. It’s bad enough now I gotta wait for your brother to settle down,” Grace remarks, her tone slightlyexasperated.

“Which one?” Liv asks, looking genuinely confused.

“Bradley, you numbnut!” Grace says, shaking her head.

“Oh, I forgot about him. My bad.” Liv’s casual response makes me blush at the mention of Bradley. I hope Grace doesn’t notice, but she momentarily looks at me, and I quickly look away, hoping to hide my embarrassment.

Great.

“Amelia, you’re a bright young woman, impeccably polite. We should set you up with our Bradley,” Grace suggests, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

My eyes go wide, my breathing falters. Laughter breaks out, but it’s not coming from me or Grace. Liv bellows over, laughing loudly.

“Yeah, good one. As if Amelia here would ever date Bradley.”

But... I kinda, totallywould. I feel a nervous flutter in my stomach, unsure of what to make of this revelation.

“Oh, I-I…” I start to politely decline, but words fail me.

Grace watches me with a knowing smile.

What does that mean? Does she see right through me?

“No way, that would just be so... weird,” Liv says with a forced laugh.

I nod in agreement, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, I was just thinking the same.”

“Smart girl! I feel sorry for whoever falls for Bradley. He’s too work-driven, too in his head,” Liv adds, and her words hit me harder than expected.

I feel a pang of sadness, a sense of disappointment at her words. They only solidify the thoughts running in the back of my mind—get over this silly crush, because that’s all it’ll ever be.

“Now, now. No need to be rude. Your brother is…” Grace begins with a heavy sigh. “A dedicated and focused man, with a heart of gold,” she finishes with a warm smile, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of warmth in her words.

Maybe I’m not the only one who sees something special in Brad. But it doesn’t matter. He’s off limits, and I need to keep my feelings in check.

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