Page 25 of The Nicest Thing
"Be confident, my granddaughter.The world will try to tear you down and steal your dreams.But you can't let it.Understand?"
I nodded while rubbing my arm.
"Good," she said then, "What about the family?How is everyone?"
"Haven't they been to visit?" I asked.
If they hadn't, I was going to have a long talk with my cousins.
"Yes, but I know they don't tell me everything.And none of them come every week like you do, my Rose."
"That's why I'm the favorite," I said with a smile.
"You know, it's not," Grandma Rose said."It's because you love tea as much as I do—and not just the drink.So spill."
I laughed."Well, Derek is busy running the shop.Angelo and Louis are vying for who gets to be his left-hand man—which you know Derek says he doesn't need because he likes being in control."
"And taking too much on his shoulders," Grandma Rose put in.
"That too.According to Ana, the girls at school have officially discovered Carlos."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes, he's a ladies man—or he would be if he decides he likes any of them."
"A real player that one."
"Yaya!"
"What?"
"I think Carlos wants people to think he's a player."I threw her a conspiratorial smile."He says he's keeping his options open, but I think once he finds the person he loves, it'll be game over."
Grandma Rose grinned."Sounds like one of your books."
"Could be."I shrugged."Ana joined a writing group at school.I'm supposed to go speak to them in a couple weeks.Still not sure why she wants me to come."
"Because she loves and looks up to you."
"I hope I don't let her down."
"You won't, Rose."Grandma shook her head."You're a successful romance author."
"Am I, though?"
"Speaking of romance," she went on as if I hadn't spoken, "how's your love life?"
"Nonexistent outside of my books," I said with a laugh."And yours?"
"I'm serious.You know I've had the love of my life.Your grandfather was incomparable, God rest his soul."She nudged my hand."You'd tell me if there was anything worth telling?"
"Of course," I said as a vision of piercing gray eyes passed through my mind.
"What about this Finn I keep hearing so much about?"
I nearly choked on my tea."What?"
"Well, Ana said something about him, and Carlos may have mentioned being concerned."
