Page 16 of A Summer Mismatch
How sad was it that the only person she had to send selfies to was her mom?
She texted it and got a heart-eye emoji back from her mom almost instantly.
Mom: How’s Cameron?
Julia: Good! He and Grandpa are hanging out right now. Are you loving every minute of Italy?
Mom: YES! Dream come true. I bought you some amazing china. I’m having it shipped over.
Julia: MOM. That’s too much.
Mom: It had a star motif on it. I couldn’t resist. Love you!
Julia: Love you too.
Julia had loved stars for as long as she could remember… decorating her room with them and having more star jewelry than any single person should have. She touched the silver stars that dangled from her lobes, another present from her parents who showed their love by gifts. And of course her new beautiful star dress from Grandma.
Julia tucked her phone into her pocket and stared out at the ocean, inhaling a deep, calming breath. She’d needed this few moments of peace and quiet, and somehow, as usual, Grandma Winnie had known.
CHAPTER NINE
Logan
Logan’sgrandparentsledhiminto The Palms community center’s dining room, one grandparent on each side of him. He whistled under his breath, impressed by the decor.
“Fancy, isn’t it,” Nonna said. Logan glanced up at the crystal chandeliers above each white-clothed, candle-topped table. This could rival even the fanciest of restaurants. Light piano music played from a grand piano in the corner of the room, and the tinkling of silverware, glasses and quiet conversation filled the air.
“Too fancy for me.” He looked down at his jeans and blue SFWCC polo shirt. He’d showered and changed after work to come to dinner with his grandparents, but he hadn’t realized he’d need to wear a suit.
He eyed the couple sitting closest to the piano. Or a tux.
“There’s no dress code,” Grandpa assured him. “We checked.”
They found a seat, and a teenage boy with shoulder-length black hair and a nose ring came to take their order. They each got the chef’s special of grilled chicken with a raspberry reduction over a bed of wild rice. Steaming homemade rolls were placed on the table, with a plate of golden butter.
Logan caught them up on his work while they ate the rolls and waited for their dinner. Part of him had always wondered if Grandpa had been disappointed when Logan had shown no interest in taking over his construction company, but if so, he’d never shown it.
Grandpa loved hearing stories about the animals Logan interacted with daily. Logan told them about seeing Cameron, which was always a highlight of his week, but he held back on sharing Julia with them. What could he say to accurately describe her with how little they’d actually spoken? Yet, he felt like he’d known her forever, and couldn’t put that feeling into words for his grandparents.
The food came, and Logan ate until his plate was cleared. With the piano playing classical songs in the background, and a full stomach, Logan found himself relaxing in a way he hadn’t in a long time. Having Nonna there, asking him the questions his mom might ask if she were there, especially helped. He gently squeezed Nonna’s hand affectionately. She gave him a warm smile in return.
“You’ll never guess who lives here,” Grandpa said while they waited for their dessert to arrive. Tonight, The Palms was serving a dark chocolate ganache dome with raspberries and cream. If Logan ate here often enough, he’d need to up his running regimen.
“Who?” Logan leaned back in his chair and set his hands on his very full stomach.
“Horace Rees.”
Logan’s eyebrows winged up. Rees. He hadn’t heard that name in a very long time. “Rees, as in Rees Construction?”
“The very same.”
Nonna shook her head and said, “Do we need to talk about this now, Smitty? Someone might overhear.”
“So what if they do? Then they’ll know what a lying backstabber Horace is.”
Nonna’s eyes sparked with lightning. “Stop now. We’re new, and I don’t want everyone here to hate us before we’ve even unpacked.”
Grandpa met her gaze head-on, the only person brave enough to do so. “They’ll let anyone into this place I guess.”
