“Whatever you want, Grandpa.” Her expression warmed. “I want you to enjoy your stay. If you want to cook and invite people over to my place, that’s fine with me.”
I heard the slight sarcasm in her words, which earned her a hug from her grandfather. The closeness made my chest tighten, remembering my mother. If she were still alive, we’d be close too.
A couple strode up and gave Eva a small tube of lotion that probably got scattered when her purse fell.
“I’m trying to find you the perfect criminal,” Grandpa Collins muttered to himself as Eva thanked the couple.
I didn’t get any bad vibes from Grandpa Collins, but what exactly did he mean by finding the “perfect criminal”? Had Grandpa Collins committed a crime of some sort? Why would he want his granddaughter to be with a criminal? It made no sense.
Despite the doubts, I was desperate for a chance with Eva. If I had to deal with an insane and unpredictable old man, I’d do it.
Eva offered me her address. “Well, I’ll seeyou soon.”
She lived two blocks from me. How had I not bumped into her all this time?
Chapter Sixteen
Eva
The next day, I was surprised Grandpa wasn’t more upset by the robbery. I imagined he’d be scared to go out, but nope. We walked down the same street, window-shopping. We even walked by the Kessler Building and saw Body Canvas and Kessler’s Studios. I hadn’t been to the gym in a long time. Maybe if I had, I would’ve caught up to the thief quicker.
Grandpa was in awe of Etched Square, looking up at the four buildings as though he’d never seen modern architecture before.
“These are truly exceptional buildings,” he said, looking proud as though he knew their owners.
I saw tears in his eyes and asked, “Are you crying?”
“I’ve never seen such tall buildings.”
Poor Grandpa.I should take him to downtown Boston or New York City so he could observe more architecture. WhileI spent time with Grandpa, thoughts about tomorrow’s lunch with Kain occupied my mind, sending a thrill through me.
Today was the day of our luncheon with Kain. I woke up early, wondering what I should wear. Ridiculous, right? I couldn’t deny my attraction to him. But I had to be cautious. A dangerous and mysterious energy surrounded him. But then again, that could be my mind trying to protect me from getting hurt again.
Gotta take risks in order to gain.
Was I ready to take that risk? My heart pounded as I poured coffee into my cup, walked out to the living room, and sat in the chair.
Grandpa was watching MacGyver again. I watched three episodes with him yesterday—I had been on the edge of my seat when MacGyver used his skills to escape armed robbers and save the other captives. This show was just as much his entertainment as it was mine. I’d devoured all the original episodes on my tablet in bed last week, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Thanks for making coffee, Grandpa. What time did you wake up?”
“Welcome,” he said, holding up his fingers. “Four.”
“Why? You can’t sleep?”
“I’m excited about our lunch.” He pressed pause on the remote and beamed at me. “Aren’t you?”
How should I answer this question? I was, but if I admitted it, he’d ask more questions.
“Do you always invite strangers home for lunch back home?”
“I’ve done it twice, but I sort of knew them. They weren’t complete strangers. Don’t you do it here?”
“Why not?” I teased. “Ilovehaving people I don’t know in my space.”
“It’s nice to be neighborly. Where I live, we all know each other.”
“But you don’t know Kain.”
