Page 35 of Hello Handsome
But she responded with an admonishing look. “You raised two babies without the help of a man. You took care of your mama when she was sick and dying, even though she never treated you the way you deserved. You sent your baby to join the Marines, support your daughter while letting her handle her own challenges, and show up to work every day regardless of what worries are going through your mind. That’s brave to me.”
Maybe Etta was right, but I still didn’t feel brave when it came to Gray. “Maybe I’ll tell him someday,” I whispered, knowing I probably wouldn’t. I valued our friendship too much to put it on the line again.
“What if something happens to him before you get the chance?” Etta pressed. “He isn’t getting any younger.”
Laughing, I shoved her with my toe. “Hey, neither are we.”
She lifted her glass in acknowledgement. “Okay, I’m done with my lecture. Let’s just watch the movie.”
We turned it up louder and started putting on the hand and foot masks along with our facial masks. They made them now with paper so you didn’t even have to worry about scrubbing off all of that goop. Made it way easier and far less messy.
But all the while, I was thinking about her words. I thought I was okay with Gray and me always being friends. But the thought of never telling him how I really felt and getting a chance to see if he’d grown as well made it hard to breathe.
I watchedGray cook steaks for his sons and their families on his back patio. Steam curled from under the lid of the grill, along with the delectable scent of cooking meat and spices. In between checking the steak, he interacted with his grandkids in the most loving way. When his youngest granddaughter toddled over with a dandelion from the yard, he fawned over it like she’d brought him a diamond.
It was hardnotto fall for the man. But there wasn’t exactly time to tell him my true feelings like Etta suggested with all his family around.
While we were all sitting around the table, his daughter-in-law, Liv, said, “We’re having a cookout next Saturday for Mira’s birthday at ten. Be there or be square.”
Fletcher chuckled at his wife, but Gray frowned. “I can be there for a little while, but I’ll have to leave early. That’s the same day as Ford’s gala.”
I racked my brain for a mention of the gala, but couldn’t recall anything. “Is it something for the team?”
Across the table, Hayes shook his head. “He’s raising money for his charity.” Then he stuffed another bite of steak in his mouth.
“I see,” I said with a smile. Ford was such a good man, like his dad. His organization, Ford’s Friends, offered free counseling services to children in the state who’d lost a parent. “Sounds like it should be fun,” I told him.
Mira squealed and Fletcher soothed his daughter on his lap, offering her a small piece of steak, which she quickly gobbled up. She had quite the pallet for a soon-to-be two-year-old.
Gray shrugged, saying, “I always feel a little out of place at these things. You have to wear a suit, get all dressed up.”
At the other end of the table, Knox’s wife, Larkin, said, “Sounds like prom.”
“I loved prom,” I said dreamily. Now I could look back and focus on the good things about the day, knowing my stepdad’s words didn’t have to taint all my memories.
“You should go,” Liv suggested around a bite of steak. “Be Gray’s emotional support human.”
Gray and I both laughed, but soon, all his kids were suggesting it. I could feel his eyes meeting mine, silently saying,You really don’t have to, in honor of my words the night of Rhett’s wedding.
But I remembered to be brave like Etta thought I was. “It sounds like fun. I’d love to go.”
Gray’s expression said multitudes, and I couldn’t decipher it all. But I could tell he was truly glad I'd agreed to go along.
It gave me hope that I wasn’t making a big mistake.
24
GRAY
I pulledup to Aggie’s house to pick her up for the gala. And when she answered the front door, I couldn’t breathe.
Usually, she was Aggie. My Aggie. Always dressed in jeans and a work shirt at the diner or prepared to ride in western clothing and broken-in cowboy boots. But tonight? She wore a gorgeous silver dress, and something about seeing her all dolled up, smiling atme,made me weak.
She smiled tentatively up at me. “Is the makeup too much?” she asked before reaching back to grab the handle of her suitcase.
I shook my head, taking the bag from her. “It’s perfect. Did you go to the salon?”
A shy blush touched her cheeks. “I did it myself.”
