Page 172 of Fiery Romance

“Well, how do you know Island isn’t the one holding up the train?”

“Because my grandbaby is perfect.” Grampa completes the statement with a decisive nod.

I haven’t even told them the story yet, but I already feel a weight being lifted off my chest.

“I love you two.” I wrap my arms around them both and squeeze.

Grampa eases back. His black eyes are set in a face the shade of pecan. “What’s this about you not breaking up with Taz? Then what was all that crying for when he left last year?”

I cringe, feeling a fresh wave of embarrassment. Back then, Taz told me he needed to talk to me. He had such a serious face that I was one hundred percent certain he would propose.

I bought a new dress, installed a fresh weave, and did my nails so the engagement pictures would stun everyone.

In the end, it wasn’t a proposal.

Well… it was a proposal of a different kind.

After, I ran through the rain to my grandmother’s house, bawling my eyes out. But I didn’t tell my grandparents the truth.

I held Taz’s marriage promise close and I knew that admitting he wanted an open relationship would make him lose points with them.

“Well?” Gran folds herself into the chair where, just a few short nights ago, Clay had me in his lap.

Heat flushes my cheeks and I try to shove that memory from my thoughts.

“Is he back or something?” Gran asks, dusting off the arm of my sofa.

“Yes.” I swallow. “He’s back.”

Grampa scowls.

Gran’s sharp eyes pin me in place. “And what does he want?”

“To get back together.”

She studies me. “And what do you want?”

“I…” Turning away from them, I admit, “I’m not sure anymore.”

“Kick that boy to the curb,” Grampa says, jutting a finger in the air. “Better yet, kick him off a cliff. How dare he leave my grandbaby and come crawling back like he did nothing wrong?”

“Hold on a minute.” Gran scoots to the edge of her chair. “Bumblebee, what’s so complicated about it? I thought you’d be happy Taz came back to you. Isn’t that what you kept talking about?”

“It is.” I pinch my lips together.

Gran’s eyes scour my face. “Is there someone else?”

My heart aches.

I nod slowly.

“Oh, honey.” She pulls me into a hug. “That must be so hard for you.”

“What’s hard about it?”

Gran whips around to face him. “Her heart’s being torn in two different directions. Do you know how painful that is?”

“If your heart wavered the first time, it means the first rascal wasn’t worth his salt. Now, the second one might not be worth his salt either, but that’s to be determined. Who’s the other guy?”

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