Page 55 of Perfectly Grumpy

“No, but I’ll figure something out,” she says, shrugging. “Maybe one of the couches in the game room. The sectional is actually pretty comfortable.”

“You’re going to sleep on a couch in a common area?” I ask, frowning. “That doesn’t seem very private.”

“It’s just for tonight. I’ll work something out tomorrow. Or there’s always the screened-in porch if the weather stays warm.” She’s trying to sound casual, but I notice the tension on her face.

“I have a cabin,” I point out. “With a fold-out bed. You’re welcome to stay there.”

Lauren’s eyes meet mine briefly before she shakes her head. “I appreciate the offer, Tate, I really do. But I think that might complicate things more than they already are.” She gives me a grimace. “I should probably stay in the main lodge.”

“Fair enough,” I say, even though I don’t like the idea of her trying to sleep on a couch where anyone could walk in.

We enter the house, greeted by the sounds of conversation and laughter coming from multiple rooms. The main entryway opens into a grand living area to the right that’s bustling with activity—clearly no space for privacy. The bedrooms must be located upstairs, out of the way of all this noise.

“Do you want help unpacking the groceries?” I offer as we make a left toward the kitchen and dining room. The kitchen is spacious but crowded, cluttered with snacks, drinks, and serving dishes. A large island stands in the center, and beyond it, french doors lead to what must be the screened porch she mentioned.

“I can manage,” she says. “But thanks for the groceries assist. I’ll see you in the morning for the water balloon toss.”

I head toward the living room and pass a stairwell to the basement where I glimpse a pool table and what looks like an entertainment center. Several kids run up and down the stairs, while others argue about what movie to watch, confirming what I suspected—there’s no privacy sleeping in the middle of that kind of pandemonium.

When I reach the living room, I find Annie curled up on Olivia’s lap. “You’re not taking this sweetie pie from me, are you?” she asks, wrapping her arms around the dog like it’s a hostage situation.

I grin. “How about if I promise to bring her back tomorrow?”

“Okay, fine. As long as I get first dibs,” Olivia says, handing her off to me.

“Me second,” Aunt Tammy calls from the card game she’s playing.

“I thought I got to hold her next,” Aunt Karen says.

“You can all fight over her tomorrow,” I say as Annie yawns in my arms. “It’s past her bedtime.”

I lead Annie outside for one last walk before heading to the cabin. We take our time, scouting out the grounds around the lodge, eventually finding the path that leads into the woods where my cabin waits.

And that’s when I see someone from the lodge coming toward me, rolling a suitcase.

“Lauren? Is everything okay?”

She shakes her head, then stops in front of me. “I’m fine.”

“Really? Because I’ve noticed you only say that when you’renotfine.”

Instead of reacting to my comment, she looks off toward the house and shifts on her feet. Something is very wrong.

“I was just wondering…if your offer still stands?” she asks.

“Did you finally decide the game room was too loud? Because I couldn’t agree more.”

“It’s not that.” She bites her lip, then straightens her shoulders. “I need to be an adult about this. My dad deserves happiness, but I need some space to adjust. And honestly, I can’t face either of them tonight.”

I frown. “What happened?”

She sighs. “When I went upstairs to get my suitcase from the bedroom, I heard Patty on the other side of the door. And when I opened it, she was…” She stills like she can’t say it.

“She was what?” I ask slowly. There’s only one thing that could make her this upset.

“Kissing my dad,” she finallysays.

“In your room?”

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