Page 98 of The Now in Forever
He shrugs as we both stand from the table. “I can catch a Greyhound or a train.”
Tears prickle the back of my eyes. “Is this goodbye for good, then?”
He wraps me in a tight hug, his lips soft on my ear, his breath hot. “I hope not.”
I takemy latte back to my grandma’s room and wait. Ed said he’d call later.
After another hour, the nurses bring Grandma back. She’s groggy from surgery and sleeps through the night. Around seven in the morning, she wakes up and wants some food.
After she’s had some eggs and toast, she says, “So, what have I missed?”
I shrug, but my face crumples.
“Hattie Bear, what is going on?”
“I’m in love, but I don’t know if he feels the same way.”
“Have you told him how you feel?”
I shake my head. I tell her about Ed. The whole story, from when we met until now, leaving out all the saucy bits.
She listens intently, nodding and humming, her brows furrowed. “Have you noticed how many times you are the one to walk away?”
“What?”
“I’m not saying he’s not a confusing man. He absolutely needs toexplain himself if he wants to continue the relationship. But why do you keep walking away?”
“How amIwalking away?”
“Suggesting you two don’t talk.”
“I called him, and he never answered.”
“Because you told him you didn’t want to talk. He blocked your number so he wouldn’t text you. He must have wanted to reach out to you pretty bad if he had to block your number. Then you literally walked away at the party.”
I sigh. “But he could’ve come after me.”
There is a beat of silence. Her words sink in. He wanted to talk to me, but he was respecting my wishes. My stupid, save face,not what I actually wanted at allwishes. He was probably giving me the space he thought I wanted by walking away. And he did come find me in the morning.
Grandma puts her hand on my arm. “I think when you go home today, you should call and talk to him.”
“Go home?” The pain medication must be making her foggy, if she really thinks I’m going to leave her alone. “I’m not even sure where home is. That’s beside the point. I’m not leaving until you’re better.”
“That’s sweet. But no.”
I shake my head. “I'm staying to take care of you.”
“No.” Her mouth is a stern frown that I recognize from when I was a kid and got into her sewing stuff without asking. “Absolutely not.”
“Grandma, it’s already done.”
“Well, undo it. You’re not invited.”
I let out a huff of air. “How are you going to manage the farmhouse on your own?”
“I won’t be on my own.”
“What?”
