Page 52 of Worth the Risk

Ilook over the design on my tablet and nervously await my grandmother to give me feedback. The other day, I spent the whole afternoon sitting outside Hudson’s house, overlooking the lake and drawing away. Creativity just flowed out

“You think April will like it?” I ask as we stand over the table with my tablet.

My grandmother with her small frame looks up at me, her glasses perched on her nose. “It’s beautiful. The lines along the back really bring the wow factor.” She takes her glasses off and walks to her sofa.

I smile proudly to myself as I close the cover on the tablet. “I’ll show her later today. I’ve been tossing ideas at her for the last few weeks, but now I feel like I can show her the final blueprint, you know?” I say and sit down on the opposite sofa. My cheeks hurt from the smile that doesn’t want to fade. Not only for the boho chic design on my tablet but life lately.

“Have some tea, dear. You look like you could use something to calm yourself down.” There is amusement in her voice.

Quickly, I whip my eyes in her direction, and I see that she is assessing me with a self-assured smirk.

I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear. “I’m…”

“There’s a man.” She waves a finger at me. “I’m disappointed you haven’t told me sooner.”

The gushing smile spreads, and my heart feels full. “There is, and I haven’t told you because, well… I wasn’t sure where to begin.”

She brings her cup to her lips for a sip before placing it back on her saucer. “You invite him to Friday dinner, that’s how you begin. You can make up for all the ones you’ve missed nearly every week the past month or two. That was the first giveaway that you met someone, and the second…”

“There’s a second?” I sit up straight.

“Yes. It’s your face and the way you just explained the dress you drew, a dress that I’m not entirely sure was inspired by April.”

I shake my head. “What? What are you insinuating?”

“You poured your own emotion into it.”

My smile fades, and I have to think about her train of thought. It leads me to internally admit that maybe she’s right.

“Tell me everything I need to know.”

“Hudson is… different.”

She touches her pearl earring. “They always are, dear. Now, will you get more specific or do I need to head onto the socials and stalk you for clues?”

“Socials? You’re going to show up on my feed again, aren’t you?” I grin to myself because this woman has no qualms about modern technology.

“When it comes to you? Yes. Which way will it be? Give your dear old grandmother the facts or I log in to my fake account.”

I laugh at her antics and lean back on the sofa. “Why am I not surprised? And sorry to disappoint but you won’t find anything online. We have been a little off the radar, and besides, I don’t really post personal things online.”

“Fine. But I’m waiting… Details, please. Does April approve?”

Just like that my elated look fades as guilt hits me. “She doesn’t know. Not yet, anyway.”

“I’m truly touched that you’re sharing the news with me first.” My grandmother touches her heart for theatrics.

I sigh and look away then back. “It’s a little complicated.”

“How so?”

“Hudson is April’s uncle. I didn’t know who he was until after we’d already met.”

“Uncle, hmm, he’s older then?”

“Yes.”

A warm reassuring smile graces her lips. “Your grandfather was older than me. It’s better that way. You need someone who will lead you and support you, who knows what he’s doing in both life and the bedroom—”

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