Page 30 of Falling for your Fake Boyfriend

I looked over at her. “You met Isla?”

“Yes, and frankly, I’m disappointed this is all fake. I think she’d be a good match for you. I liked her almost instantly, and as you know, I don’t say that about many people.”

I smiled. “Oh, I know that. And I’m not surprised. Isla is quite something. You should have seen her put Mom and her equally snobby friend back on their heels. She handled it with pure genius and grace.”

“Then I like her even more, and I’m sorry I missed it.” Hazel sat forward. She tugged on the blanket to keep it from slipping off. “Lucas, you need to figure out what your heart needs. I know that growing up in this family, you missed out on that particular life lesson. Forget getting anyone’s approval.”

I chuckled and looked pointedly at her. “When have you ever known me to seek someone’s approval?”

“Never. But in the midst of dodging all of your parents’ control, you lost sight of your own heart. You’re running a successful business, and I’m sure your bachelor’s life is exciting, and heaven knows I don’t need to hear anything about it—” She waved her hand, and I tried not to sink into the chair cushion in shame. “But I’m going to tell you this because I probably don’t have that many days left on this planet.”

I started to argue the point, but she lifted her hand. “Please. I’m old. It’s a fact. But I want you to be happy and settled before I go. And I don’t mean unhappily settled like your sister. I will never forgive Marcus for bringing about this match. Rachel accepted the whole idea with hardly a second thought.” She waved again. “Anyhow, she knows my whole opinion on the thing. But your sister is different than you. She’s far more interested in being able to attend the Paris fashion show and buying her next designer dress than being madly in love with her spouse.”

“I think you sell Rachel short,” I said.

“Do I? Every time I ask her if she is in love with David she says?—”

“He’s fine,” I finished for her.

Hazel always had the most genuine laugh. I’d missed it. “Fine,” she repeated. “If ever there was a more soda-cracker plain word to use about your betrothed. But this is Rachel’s choice. She’ll be at the height of society with this match, even higher in stature than your dear mother. And don’t think that hasn’t crossed Maggie’s calculating mind a few times. She’ll hate that. In fact, it’s the one bright spot I can find in this whole marriage.” She laughed again. “You’re different than your siblings. While I’ve always had a pretty good handle on my two eldest grandchildren, Bryan is a whole other species altogether. He’s like a firefly bouncing around in a jar, waiting for his light to either shine brighter or to peter out altogether. He has no direction at the moment, and I don’t spend nearly enough time filling him with my wise-old-sage advice. Besides, it would fly into one ear and out the other. But I will eventually take the lid off that jar and tell him to steady that light. For now, though, I want to see you happy. You’ve built a successful business, one that probably makes your dad prouder than he’ll admit, but it’s not enough, Luke. I can see it in your eyes.”

I rubbed my hand over the soft fabric on the arm of the chair. “You know me too well. I have noticed a void in my life, something that’s missing, something I can’t easily define.” As I said it, my mind went right to Isla and our road trip. It was eight hours that I’d never forget. Something about it felt so right, so complete.

“Fill that void, Luke. Forget your mom and her antics and just find that happiness. It’s out there. We’ve all got a happy ending waiting in the wings. Mine was your granddad, chasing a silly artist and her easel and paints around town. I’m so glad he did, too.”

“We’re all glad of that, Grandma. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been growing up without you.”

I got up and leaned over to hug her. She’d been wearing the same lavender perfume since we were children, and the fragrance always made me smile.

I straightened. “Do you need anything? I could do a sneak run to the kitchen for your favorite cookies.”

“No, I’m fine. Gretchen really outdid herself with the meal tonight.”

“She did. Isla has plans to eventually open a bakery, and I found her in the kitchen sipping tea and learning some of Gretchen’s secrets. Can you imagine Mom’s face if she had walked in on the two of them huddled over their cups of tea exchanging baking tips?”

“As I said, I liked her the second I met her.” She reached up for my hand, and I helped her out of the chair.

“Did you get taller or am I just shrinking that much?” she chuckled as I helped her to her bed.

“I think the whole house is tilting under the weight of Mom’s behavior this weekend.”

“That bad, eh?” she asked.

“That bad.”

“Well, you protect that pretty young woman. You’ve brought her into this, and it’s up to you to make sure she escapes this place unharmed.”

“I will. I promise. Although the way she handled Mom and Mrs. Carlton tonight, I’m not too worried.”

“Mrs. Carlton.” Hazel sat on the edge of the bed and began to smear on hand lotion. “She’s quite unlikable. Noticed that the second I met her. I guess you get pretty good at judging character in a flash when you’re my age. Her daughter is quite stunning. I know this one has your mom’s hand all over it, but what did you think of her?”

I shrugged. “Very beautiful and not too annoying yet. But—” I started then stopped. “It’s late. I’ll let you get to bed.” I kissed her cheek again. “See you in the morning.”

“Goodnight, Lucas. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

I laughed. “I’d forgotten that little saying. That used to make Mom so mad. She’d always shake her head indignantly and scowl at you for even suggesting that a bedbug would dare to enter Greyson Manor.”

“And that’s exactly why I said it.” Hazel grinned. “I can be a bit of a stinker when I put my mind to it.”

---