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She waved her hand. “Nonsense.”
The woman’s intentions could be spotted a mile away, so I had to get the conversation over with. “I don’t know why, but I see you’re trying to push me, someone you don’t know, onto your grandson. While I don’t really know Hudson, he looks plenty capable of finding a partner.”
Sue threw her hands up, and her shoulders slumped. “I’ll be dead before I see him happy with anyone.” Despite the dramatic way she spoke, the possibility clearly bothered her. “Aging is a wonderous thing, don’t let anyone tell ya different, but it also makes one greedy. I am not happy with what I have left—even if it’s another ten years. Because ten years doesn’t guarantee what I’ll be alive for. All my grandkids have babies now besides Hudson.”
I didn’t dare say her grandson might not want children. Her stubbornness and willingness to speak about Hudson told me she was used to dealing with a determined man.
“You are greedy, aren’t you?” I teased. “How many great grandbabies do you have?”
“Ten.” She grinned. “All of them are rotten.”
“And you want more.”
Her smile waned. “I want Hudson to find happiness, too.”
I glanced at the chandeliers lighting up the place, and then at the clean booths. The paintings on the walls and the windows held my attention for several seconds. My pulse quickened as the excitement built.I wanted this. Well, not a restaurant, but to open my own place like Hudson did. Instead of steaks and potatoes, I wanted books, coffee, and sweets. The more cookies and cakes available for people, the better.
“I don’t know,” I whispered in awe. “This looks like happiness to me.Hishappiness. I’d be glad for him if I were you.”
When she said nothing, I finally looked over at her. She had a peculiar squint in her eyes as she studied me. It wasn’t amused, angry, or sad. Just a look that made me blush for some reason. Like I was being dissected like a frog.
“You’re right. You’re right.” She broke eye contact. “I should leave him alone. He has it all figured out.”
“It seems to me he does.” I scanned the area again.
“I suppose I’ll stay out of his business,” she added.
I nodded. “I’m sure your grandson would appreciate that.”
“So, you’re going to work here. You’d make a pretty waitress.”
I stiffened and side-eyed the old woman again as she beamed. The smile was too big, too suspicious. I’d already told her I would start a job soon, and she didn’t seem the sort to listen if I repeated myself, so I remained quiet.
“So, ya made this huge change in your life all because you lost your apartment?” she asked.
I didn’t know why, but her questions were making me nervous. “Yeah. There was nothing left after that.”
“Oh. So, ya left no boyfriend behind?” Before I could answer, she was talking again, “Ya said ya found a job in town. What did ya do before coming to Hudson’s and what did ya choose now that you’re here.”
Oh, God. Why did I feel like I made a grave error somehow? Was it too late for me to tell her she could go back to planning her grandson’s wedding and future kids? Anything if it meant escaping the conversation, we were having about me. Sue asked whatever she wanted; despite the fact we’d just met. She was like my gran. The thought was like a sucker punch to my gut.
I felt obligated to answer one of her questions. “Let’s just say, I worked for a shitty man and was foolish enough to think my job was stable.”
Sue’s mouth opened, ready for her next question, when Hudson spoke first. “It’s none of your business, so don’t pester her.”
As he placed two drinks down, I couldn’t help but wonder how long he had been there. The idea of him hearing anything was unsettling. “Are you okay with Pepsi?” he asked me.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Give me a few minutes on the food.” He crossed his arms and stared at his grandma.
She rolled her eyes. “Would ya leave?”
I fought chuckling. There was something amusing about those two together.
Shaking his head, he went back to the kitchen. My heart nearly jumped into my throat when Sue started sputtering. I would have thought the woman was choking until she shoved her drink aside. “He gave me orange Crush Soda.” She glared at the door. “The nerve of this boy.”
I liked Crush, but I’d side with Sue just to help her aggravate her grandson. “You’ve got your hands full.”
