Page 43 of Somebody to Save
Aunt Michelle knew that Addison and I went on a date and that she was “Bubbles,” but until I walked in with Addison and her grandmothers, she didn’t realize that the date had gone well. And she’d managed to hold her tongue about it throughout the meal. She’d hit it off with Nana and Grams—as I knew shewould—but the moment they left the table to mingle and Addison hurried off to pay the catering company, she’d descended into questions.
“Yes, it is, so great, but back to you,” she said quickly. She glanced around like she was making sure we were still alone.
“No, not back to me. We’re supposed to be talking aboutyounow.”
She waved her hands in front of her and shook her head like it was an absurd notion. “That’s very nice of you, Beckett, but I’d much rather hear about your life. Did you make a good impression on her grandmothers? Seems like they like you.”
Sighing, I leaned back in my chair and took a sip of my iced tea. Addison was buzzing around the room, talking with residents and making sure everyone was enjoying their Thanksgiving meal, but I kept track of her. Like I instinctually knew where she was even without my eyes on her.
I found her sitting across from an older man with her chin propped on her hand as she listened intently. The barest smile touched her lips, and like she felt my attention, her eyes bounced to mine.
Her smile widened, and my heart grew a hundred sizes.
“Damn, you’ve got it bad,” Aunt Michelle quipped, and I slid my eyes back to her, narrowing them in annoyance. “Don’t give me that look, Beckett. Now tell me about the grandmas.”
“It went…well.”
“Well?”
“Nana, or Helen, is a little harder to read. I think it’s going to take more time to really gain her trust.”
“Which is understandable,” Aunt Michelle added, and I nodded. “I can’t imagine how they feel seeing a forty-year-old man take an interest in their twenty-three-year-old granddaughter. To many, this might look…gross. But I know you, I know your heart, and that’s not the case. It just might take them a little time to realize that for themselves.”
“Of course, of course,” I muttered. And I completely understood. I knew the situation wasn’t exactly normal, but I felt confident they would see my true intentions. I’d prove to them how much I cared for Addison, no matter how long it took. “I just hope she gives me a chance to prove it to them.”
Aunt Michelle gave me an understanding smile. “Just look at the woman they raised, Beckett. They’ll give you a chance. And I think Helen is alone, so now might be a good opportunity to talk.” She pointed over my shoulder, and I turned to see the woman Helen was speaking to get up and leave the table with a small wave.
I stood quickly before my window closed. I kissed Aunt Michelle’s cheek and hustled to the refreshments table to grab Helen another lemonade to take with me.
Taking a calming breath, I slid the fresh drink on the table in front of her.
“Is it okay if I sit?” I asked, motioning to the chair the other woman just vacated next to her. Helen peered up at me, and for a moment, I thought she may tell me to fuck off. But eventually she inclined her head, leaving the lemonade untouched.
Sitting down, I considered my next words carefully and how to start the conversation, but everything I had planned was useless.
“I’m going to be honest, Beckett,” she said, and I tensed. Her voice was unwavering, and I started to sweat. It was already warm in the large room, but now the heat was really on, sitting in front of one of the most influential women in Addison’s life with my future with her on the line.
“Please,” I prompted, trying not to let her see how nervous I was inside.
“You seem like a nice person,” she said, and that was a good start, although I could feel the “but” coming. “But I’m concerned.”
And there it was. “I can tell, and it’s understandable,” I said,and she stared at me like she was waiting for me to continue. “I would like the opportunity to allay those concerns.”
Her lips twitched, and I thought maybe I saw a hint of a smile. But it was there and gone too quickly for me to really be able to tell.
“I do think only time will be able to do that,” she said. “Addison is special. She has the kindest heart, and she would give the shirt off her back to anyone who needed it. She deserves someone who realizes how special she is.”
“Trust me, I know she’s very spec?—”
“—but also wants the same things she does,” she added quickly.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat and worried about the direction of the conversation. Any progress we’d made seemed to vanish with her additional comment.
“We haven’t had that conversation yet, but I’m sure it will come up. And if our goals or ideas for the future don’t align, I would never make her sacrifice what she wants.”
“That’s a good start,” she said. “But what if that includes marriage? Children? You don’t have to tell me, but these are things she’s expressed wanting before. Look, I’m going to die, likely someday way too soon, and it’s important to me that Addie is happy. So, this might feel abrupt and too soon, but I don’t have a ton of time left. Either way, you should be prepared for that.”
I nodded and folded my hands in my lap. It wasn’t a conversation I was going to have with her grandmother, but I expected Addison may want those things.
