Page 65 of A Summer Mismatch
Grandma waved her hand. “Of course you love me. I know that, and I’m not questioning it for a second. You can tell me no to something, and we’ll both still be confident that we love each other.”
Julia felt sick, like she’d run one too many miles after eating a big meal. She’d thought of something to tell her, but could she reveal this to her grandma without destroying her? Julia imagined her grandma’s face crumpling in anguish, and then Julia being cast out of the house, their relationship forever ruined. The image was so ridiculous, she shook her head at herself.
“Are you sure?” she asked her grandma.
“Yes.”
Julia took a deep breath for courage. “I hate self-help books.” She braced herself for the fallout.
Grandma Winnie blinked and, to Julia’s surprise, burst out laughing. “But I’ve given you at least twenty to read, and you keep reading them!”
“I know,” Julia said, misery mingling with embarrassment. “I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Oh, Julia.” Grandma gathered her into a tight hug. “I will never give you another self-help book to read again. And if I give you some other book you don’t want to read, please, please just tell me you’re not interested in it. Promise me you’ll do that.”
Julia nodded, some of her nausea easing. “Okay.”
Grandma pulled back, shaking her head, still chuckling. “Over twenty books you hated. Oh boy. It’s a wonder you still like to read at all.” She paused. “Whatdoyou like to read?”
“Romance and mystery,” Julia replied. “I trade them off, one after the other.”
“Mixed in with self-help.” Grandma gave her a wry smile. “How about you lend me some of your favorite books, and we can talk about those.”
“I’d like that.” She felt light all over. Maybe she could stand for what she wanted, and it would be okay. Except, she felt safe with Grandma. That was a softball attempt at going for what she really wanted—or in the case of reading self-help books, standing up for what she didn’t want.
“So what should I do about Logan and Grandpa?”
“I’ll worry about your grandpa. Do you want to go to the gala with Logan?”
“Yes, so much.”
“Then you need to go,” Grandma said decisively. “I’ve made you a perfect, purple satin dress.”
”Is that why your hands…”
But Grandma was shaking her head before Julia had even finished. “Don’t you worry about my hands. I will sew when I want for who I want. I’d been picturing it my mind since I found the fabric, and I couldn’t sleep until it was done.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes stung with tears. Julia always felt so beautiful in anything her grandma made for her. She’d need that boost of confidence to show up at the Watermelon Gala with Logan.
She pulled out her phone to text Logan back. It had been hours since he’d asked. By now, he’d probably assumed the answer was no. He might rescind his offer, or be upset that she’d made him wait so long.
Julia:Yes, I’d love to go to the Watermelon Gala with you.
She didn’t even have to wait a minute before he responded back.
Logan:*GIF of a group doing a happy dance*
Logan:Ahem. I mean, that would be nice and not overly exciting at all.
Julia:Way to play it cool.
Logan:I’ve just waded through elephant stool. Cool is not even in the realm of possibility at this point.
Julia:*GIF of someone squealing in excitement*
Julia:Just to be clear… that’s in regards to the Watermelon Gala. Not the stool sample.
Logan:Thanks for the clarification. I had concerns.
