Page 64 of Flirting with the CEO

"Let’s take everyone's mind off things. Just follow my lead."

"Sounds good."

Grandmother looked well. I'd been dreading the moment I saw her. I wasn't a fan of hospitals, but she was relaxed and even had some color in her cheeks. She had on headphones, which she immediately took off when she saw us. "Colton, you came with Zoey."

"Are we bothering you?" Zoey asked.

"Not at all. I was listening to an audiobook. I wanted to read, but the doctor said I shouldn't. Honestly, I'm not even sure if I could. I'm afraid the headaches could start again."

"You have to take it easy, Grandmother," I said. “And drink more water.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Tell me you didn't come here to berate me."

I ducked slightly forward and straightened again. "I didn't comejustfor that."

Zoey sat at the side of her bed and looked at me over her shoulder. "Hey, be nice to your grandmother. That's no way to talk to someone who's in a hospital bed." She winked at me.

What was that about? Oh right, that plan she has.

My grandmother smiled brilliantly. "Attagirl. I'm so happy my prediction turned out to be true."

"You don't know that," I said, somewhat affronted. I knew Zoey had a plan to take Grandmother’s mind off being sick, but I had some pride too.

"Ha," Grandmother exclaimed. "Want to tell me why you two are together on a Saturday? And before you ask why I know you were together, it’s because you both showed up here.”

“It could be any number of reasons,” I challenged.

Zoey looked at me over her shoulder, winking again. “Is that so? You’re not going to own up to your grandmother to what we werereallydoing?"

She was great at this! Grandmother was having a field day.

"Fine, Grandmother. You were 100 percent right. We were on a... date."

"That's good to know." The smile on her face was addictive. That Zoey could do this for her, for our family, was huge in my book.

"Now, I know you said not to berate you, but you need to take it slower," I urged.

"It’s a headache."

"Grandfather said you get them when you overwork yourself because you forget to hydrate."

"He has a big mouth," she muttered.

"Grandmother, you know he only cares about you. "

She pursed her lips and shook her head. "You're right. I only had a few headaches here and there, and I didn't realize they were getting stronger and more frequent. I'm going to take better care of myself. I'm determined to live to see every single one of you give me great-grandkids."

"What? Every one of..." Zoey stumbled over her own words.

"Don't mind Grandmother," I said.

"Oh yeah, do mind me, because I'm very serious," Grandmother insisted, eyes twinkling.

Zoey glanced at me, and for once, she didn't look sassy. She seemed a little panicked. I should have warned her. But this was fun to watch. I'd never seen her caught off guard.

She turned to Grandmother again. "Jeannie, whatever gets you motivated to stay healthy is good."

"That's what I say all the time," Grandmother replied. Then she yawned.

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