Page 24 of Fa-La-La-La Faking It
Adaline squirmed on the sofa cushion. Gram thought she was jealous because Ford was getting married and she wasn’t? That wasn’t true in the slightest...even if hearing it out loud sent a pang to her chest.
“Gram, I’m not lonely. I have Fuzzy.” She gestured toward her dog. Light of her life. Her sun and her moon. Her furry little soulmate.
That wasn’t asking too much of a ten-pound toy-sized spaniel, was it?
“Sweetheart, you realize that Fuzzy is a dog, don’t you?” Gram said, eyebrows raised as she continued stroking the synthetic fur on Coco’s back.
The irony of being asked this question by the owner of a robotic dog wasn’t lost on Adaline. She gritted her teeth and smiled at Gram. “Yes, I know Fuzzy is a dog. I’m just saying that I’m not interested in romance right now.”
Or ever.
Gram looked at her as if she’d just sprouted two heads. “That can’t be true.”
“Yes, it can.”
Gram pinned her with a look. “Who interfered in Ford and Maple’s relationship when it looked like they might not be able to admit they had feelings for each other?”
Adaline swallowed. “Me.”
“And who butted in and fixed things for that sweet Jenna who owns the dance studio and her football player beau before they became a couple again?”
“Also me,” Adaline said. It was amazing what Gram could remember when she really wanted to. Maybe Adaline and Ford weren’t giving her enough credit.
“Precisely.” Her grandmother held up a pointer finger in triumph.
Adaline shook her head. “Gram, those are other people. I’m thrilled for my friends, but their relationships really don’t have anything to do with me.”
Other than the fact that Adaline had taken it upon herself to play matchmaker when the situation warranted it. Butsomeonehad to. And as usual, Adaline hadn’t hesitated to dive head-first into trouble.
Everything had worked out in the end, though. Sometimes her too-big personality had its advantages.
Gram snorted. “A person who doesn’t care about love and romance isn’t usually so willing to take on the role of unofficial matchmaker every chance she gets.”
Ouch.
“‘Unofficial matchmaker’ implies that official matchmakers are a thing, and outside of reality television, I’m not sure that’s true,” Adaline said, hoping to get Gram off the subject of her love life...or lack thereof.
No such luck, apparently.
“Adaline, dear. You believe in love. Don’t try and deny it.”
She did believe, just not for herself. Santa himself was more likely to come down her chimney than Mr. Right.
“Can we look for your wedding album now? Please?” Adaline stood up and started pacing again. She couldn’t sit still anymore for this nauseating assessment of her personal life.
She scanned the bookshelves. A faded photograph of Gram in her bridal gown sat on the top shelf next to a thick leather volume that looked like it might be a photo album.
“I think I found it, Gram!” Adaline rose up on her tiptoes and plucked the book from the shelf. Her grandparents’ names were printed in gold script on the cover, followed by the date of their wedding. “See?”
The book opened with an audible crack of its spine, and Adaline was instantly swept up in pretty pastel images of yesteryear. Gram looked so young and beautiful in her white satin gown with its long row of tiny, fabric-covered buttons and sleeves that came down to a point on her delicate hands. Her bridesmaids wore fitted, off-the-shoulder sheath-style dresses in sapphire raw silk, with matching satin pumps peeking out from the hem. Adaline’s vintage-loving heart skipped a beat when she found the exact picture she’d been looking for.
Perfect!
“Can I borrow the album, Gram? I promise I’ll bring it back tomorrow when I’m here for Fuzzy’s therapy dog visit.” Adaline closed the cover and held the leather-bound book to her chest as she turned to face her grandmother again. “Gram?”
She’d been so caught up in her find that she hadn’t realized Gram had suddenly gone quiet. Minutes ago, the older woman had been perfectly lucid, lecturing Adaline about love and romance. Now she sat with a dazed expression, staring off into space.
Adaline rushed to kneel in front of the recliner as her heart leapt straight to her throat. She took Gram’s limp hands in hers and squeezed them tight. “Gram, are you okay?”
