Page 86 of Summer Kisses

"Are you certain that he doesn't have feelings for you?" Grandma asked.

"If he does, he hasn't said anything."

"So why are you here?" Grandma asked, eying my friends.

"We thought you could help us with our plan—" Ivy began.

Grandma raised a brow, her interest piqued. "Oh? And what plan is that?"

"Hazel wants to tell Brady how she feels, hoping he'll reciprocate those feelings," Ivy said.

Grandma's eyes lit up. "Now we're getting somewhere."

"So you'll help us?" I asked her.

Grandma cackled. "I've been waiting a long time for you to admit that you have feelings for Brady."

I frowned. "I didn't know until the last few weeks of living with him."

Grandma shook her head. "You've been in love with that boy for half of your life. I've never seen two people who were more stubborn. I had to do something to finally push you together."

My heart skipped a beat. "Grandma, what are you talking about? What did you do?"

"I put my ring where you'd see it and pick it up. I never thought you'd put it on your finger though. That was all you."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I'd never seen her ring. She had it tucked away in her safe. "You instigated this whole thing?"

"My friends thought I was crazy at worst and meddling at best. But I didn't want you to waste your entire life loving Brady from afar, but too afraid to tell him how you felt."

"I can't believe you orchestrated this." I threw my arms in the air.

Ivy crossed her arms and gave me anI told you solook.

Elena reached over and squeezed my hand. "Mabel meant well."

"I was doing you two a favor. I don't expect you to understand. Maybe one day when you have stubborn kids, you'll get it." Mabel shook her head.

"Grandma—" I began.

"Let's work on the plan. We don't have much time," Elena said.

We all leaned in to talk through possible scenarios. I still couldn't believe that Grandma put that ring on the floor. But I couldn't be upset, not when it had allowed me to explore my feelings for Brady. I just hoped he felt the same way I did.

Chapter Twenty-Two

BRADY

After talking to Hazel, I drove straight to my parents to do damage control. Dad would never trust me again. I'd screwed up royally, first with the fake engagement fiasco and then in not telling him about my video-game show.

I would forever be his irresponsible child. I'd never be able to direct my own project. I'd always be paired with Dalton, even though I'd been the one picking up the slack since his personal life imploded.

I walked inside without knocking, finding my parents sitting on the back deck overlooking the pool.

Dad's expression was pensive.

"How is Dalton?" Mom turned around to ask me.

I sat next to them, facing the pool. "He found a house and put a contract on it."

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