Page 11 of Hers to Marry
Chapter 4
Drew was happy Mary suggested a stroll because his grandmother was in rare form tonight. Practically pushing him and Kat together. The idea was…
Well…
Crazy.
He was already engaged. And why his grandmother wouldn’t accept that fact was something Drew couldn’t understand. Parker had her idiosyncrasies, but she was a strong woman who had a fantastic career and was well-respected in her field. He thought his grandmother would’ve praised him for finding a woman like her.
He glanced at Kat. She kept her gaze on the ground, her mouth in a slight frown. That was his fault. His grandmother had embarrassed her twice; first suggesting their romance and second with the comment about Kat opening her own bakery.
“What happened with your bakery?” Drew asked, eager for the story as they continued to the spot that be the site of his future home with Parker.
“Hmm?” She looked up.
“Distracted?”
She let out a breath. “It’s been a long day.”
“Sorry about my grandmother. She means well, but she…doesn’t hold her punches.”
Kat laughed. “No, she doesn’t. I don’t remember her from when we were little.”
“Yeah, my dad… He and my grandmother haven’t gotten along in years. So I didn’t see her all that much growing up.”
“Even though you guys were in the same city?”
“Yep. She didn’t like my mother. Said she was lazy and…didn’t know how to cook.” He inwardly cringed remembering his grandmother’s comment about Parker, who definitely didn’t cook—and wouldn’t.
Kat sucked in air between her teeth. “Your grandmother isreallyfixated on the cooking.”
“Yeah, she is. Old fashioned. She doesn’t know—or maybe she does—that most girls don’t cook nowadays. At least, not the ones I’ve met.”
“Hmm, maybe you’ve been meeting the wrong ones?” Kat said in a teasing tone.
“Not you too. My grandmother is enough for a lifetime, trust me.”
Kat chuckled. “Truce. For now.”
“I appreciate it.” He grinned at her.
It was just as easy as he remembered, talking to her. Like they had never parted. They had their share of battles, as kids often do, but they always came back together strong and united. Kat was an anomaly compared to the women he’d dated in the past.
Definitely compared to Parker.
“How are you and Parker friends?” Drew asked, curious about their relationship. “You two seem the exact opposite.”
“I guess you could say that’s what bonded us. Our different personalities. She was the new girl at school, and I was without a best friend and being a loner because I was so sad. We met when her parents moved to the block and my mom took us to meet her when our dad was on a long shift at work and couldn’t say no.”
Gregory Kaye was the meanest man Drew had ever met. As a kid, Drew had avoided the man at all costs. He’d seen the way he yelled at Kat and her sisters, which was why Kat tried to spend as much time as she could out of the house.
“She didn’t tell you we were getting married?”
“No,” Kat said quietly. “She did not.”
“Ever wonder why?” Because he sure did. He also didn’t know Parker and Kat were best friends. Parker nevermentionedKat to him. But then again, she spent so much time at work that her closest friends—that he met—werecoworkers.
Kat shrugged. “I haven’t had time to, actually. I’m sure she has a good reason, like being busy. We used to talk a lot, but ever since she got promoted to VP last year, we’ve only been able to chat over Facebook. I admit, I’ve been a little busy myself with the bakery.”
