Page 39 of My Mistake To Make

I turn to look at her, and she smiles.

‘You can’t doanythingabout it. You kids and your double negatives,’ she shakes her head now, ‘it’s those Kardashians, and theircouldcare less. Do they not understand that means they actually care a lot?’

I realize I’m staring at her when she stops and laughs.

‘I watch too much TV. I know. I’m a lonely old woman. Sue me.’

‘What the hell are you talking about, Grandma?’

‘Don’t mind about me. What are you talking about? Why can’t you donothin’about Cara?’

I can’t help but smile at the mischief in her eyes.

‘Because of Jessie,’ I whisper, glancing behind me to make sure Bowie hasn’t woken up. ‘She has me over a barrel with Bo. Until I can get custody, I can’t risk pushing her.’

‘So, I return to my original question. What are you going to do aboutthatgirl?’

‘I have a plan. Now that I have a good income, I can get a place, and then a lawyer, and then custody.’

‘Let me help you while I’m still here instead of waiting for your inheritance.’

‘God, Grandma, why do you do that?’ I turn to glare at her. ‘You’re not going anywhere any time soon, and I told you, I don’t want an inheritance. Spend it. Spend every penny you have on living your life.’

‘I can help you get this done.’

‘I can do it on my own.’

‘You’re as stubborn as your father.’ I grin. I know I am. ‘That’s not a badge of honor.’ She smiles now. ‘He was a pain in my ass every day of his life.’

‘And you wouldn’t have changed a second of it.’

I see her eyes twinkle, the sheen of unshed tears for her lost son.

‘Listen to me, Douglas Campbell, because you are the apple of my eye, and I want only the best for you. Life is too short—you should know that. You should live your life with that in mind. If the Reynolds girl has got your attention when nobody has in such a long time, tell her, go for it. Who knows, maybe she’s the reason you always loved that old house so much. Maybe destiny was just pulling on the threads until it could tie you two together.’

‘Grandma…’ I protest her dramatics, but a part of me loves the sound of that.

‘It’ll all work out, my beautiful boy, trust me.’ She winks, and I can’t help but trust her. She’s never steered me wrong. Man, I love this woman.

Yep, Definite Arousal

Cara

Three weeks down, alifetime to go. I love it here, but I have to admit, I’m so bored. I’m used to working, running, and taking Pilates classes. And I miss visiting my mum.

I pick up my phone and press call, knowing it’ll be dinner time but hoping for the best anyway.

‘Hi, Dad.’ I smile when I see my wee dad filling my screen.

‘Oh, sweetheart. This is a nice surprise.’

I agreed to call my dad once a week, and that call happened just a couple of days ago, so he wasn’t expecting his one.Look at me being spontaneous.

‘I know, Dad. I just wanted to talk to you.’

‘Are you okay, darling?’

The lump rises in my throat immediately.

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