Page 39 of Broken Dreams
I look to Lily. “A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to get back out there. Isaac has been gone three years, and I’m ready, you know? So, I went on one really bad date, which was actually here, and then got set up on another one with someone who turned out to be married.” I let that hang for a second and look to Mateo. “The last one I went on was the worst. We were at the diner, and he was just being really aggressive. Grady happened to be there, overheard some of what the guy was saying, and stepped in, getting me out of there. We ended up going for a drink, talking more, dancing...and now we’re here.”
Lily sighs, clutching her hand to her chest. “Oh, how sweet! Addy, that’s wonderful.”
I nod, and at that exact moment, he looks over, blinks, and then smiles.
I wave and he does the same back.
Then, as though we wrote this as a script, he acts as though he sees who I’m talking to and walks toward me.
“Mateo, it’s great to see you,” Grady says smoothly, extending his hand.
“You as well. I didn’t know you were acquainted with Addison.”
Grady smiles as he stares at me. “I am—thankfully. I wasn’t aware you were, though.”
“We’ve known her for a few years. This is my wife, Lily.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” Grady says, bowing slightly.
“You too. Addison was just catching us up a bit.”
He looks to me again and then to the Kopaskeys. “It was great seeing you, but our dessert is arriving at our table. I hope you don’t mind if I steal my date back?”
“Not at all,” Lily says quickly. “I’m sending invites for a party in two weeks, you both must attend.”
“I’ll check my calendar,” I say with a smile.
“Perfect. It was great to see you again, Addy, and meet you, Grady.”
“You both as well.”
I walk around the table to where he is and he immediately places his hand on the small of my back as we move to our seats. “Don’t look back at them no matter what,” I say.
“I had no plans to, but what did you say?”
He pulls my chair out and then takes his own seat. “I told them how we met, and that you saved me. Mateo loves a hero and Lily is a hopeless romantic. All of that is right up their alley.”
“You’re diabolical and brilliant,” he says, admiration clear in his eyes.
“Well, if you’re going to get this investment, we need to be strategic. Plus, the more the town sees us and hears about how perfect you are, the more it’ll help when we go to Rose Canyon.”
“Well, if I land this investment, I’ll do anything you need in Rose Canyon.”
I laugh and lean forward. “Be careful what you promise.”
Because it’s going to make us dating here look like a cakewalk.
* * *
The rest of my date with Grady went great. After we had dessert, we left and he brought me home, where he walked me to the porch and out of view of my nosey neighbors’ prying eyes. Then he kissed my cheek, and that was that. He mentioned a BBQ, but we agreed to wait a week and give the appearance of going slow.
Since then, we’ve seen each other each morning, where the other parents stare as we bring the kids into school and then pretend they’re not watching.
In a few minutes, Elodie and I are heading to Brynlee’s house for their weekly cookout. I’m more nervous about this than anything.
I like the Whitlocks, they’re great, but they’re a bit intimidating. Asher is the Sheriff and I work with him often with Run to Me. Brynlee helps with legal things that Sydney thinks she can handle. I really don’t know much about Rowan besides that he runs his dairy farm, and I am just...freaked out.
Elodie rushes into the room wearing her leggings and sweatshirt. “Mommy, we go see Jett?”
