A grandson. Graham’s first grandchild would be a little boy.
She glanced sideways. Graham sat next to her, reading glasses perched low on his nose as he pretended to focus on the in-flight magazine. But she could see the faint smile he wasn’t trying to hide. A soft, private kind of joy that she understood very well.
“You’re still thinking about him,” Paige said. “Aren’t you?”
Graham didn’t deny it. He put the magazine down. “Of course I am. A grandson.” He shook his head in disbelief. “When Andrew called with the news that they were pregnant, I didn’t feel ready. Even he didn’t sound ready. But after spending time with him?—”
“He’s ready,” Paige finished for him. “They both are. And so are you.”
He nodded slowly. “Yes. It’s wonderful to see them creating this beautiful new life together.” He hesitated, then added, “I very much want to be a part of it.”
Paige squeezed his hand. “You already are.”
He turned his palm up, threading his fingers with hers, a small gesture that surprised her with its tenderness. “Andrew told me he plans to propose to Nicole next month. It’s her birthday.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“They’ll have a small, private ceremony with just the two of them. It’s what he thinks she wants, but if that changes, he’ll let us know.”
“Maybe it will, now that she’s met you.”
“Perhaps,” he said, his tone hopeful.
A few moments of silence passed. He seemed to be lost in thought again.
“My life is going to change now,” he said quietly. “In ways I don’t think I fully grasp yet. I’ll want to visit more. Help when I can. Be the sort of grandfather my own father never had the chance to be.”
Paige’s heart warmed. “You’ll be spectacular at it.”
“I will endeavor to do my best.” He smiled at that, but the look he gave her next held something else beneath the surface. Something like hesitation or uncertainty.
“Paige,” he began. Just the way he said her name sounded odd. Like he was being extra careful. “May I ask you something?”
She straightened slightly, praying to whatever greater power might be listening that he wasnotabout to propose to her. As much as she liked him, she was not remotely interested in marriage. “Of course.”
He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. “Why haven’t you shared anything about us on your TikTok? Since that first night, I mean.”
Paige blinked. “What?”
“I’ve seen your videos,” he said. “You must know I follow you now. And you post regularly. You talk about fashion, what it’s like to be a woman of a certain age, dealing with the issues of that age, all sorts of things. And I enjoy your take on these things. I truly do. But I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve said nothing about us.” He swallowed, shifting slightly in his seat. “Are you avoiding mentioning me? Or is it simply that you don’t want people to know you’re seeing someone?”
Her breath caught. The look in his eyes wasn’t anger or suspicion. It was something far more fragile. Something that was maybe part male ego, but also very honest and sincere.
He stared at her hand in his. “Is there something about me that you don’t care for? Something you think might embarrass you?”
Paige’s heart squeezed so hard it almost hurt.
“No,” she whispered immediately. “Graham, no. Not at all.”
He looked at her and said nothing, just waited like he was hoping there was more.
Paige inhaled slowly, searching for the right words as the plane glided through the soft, glowing sky, carrying them from one chapter of their lives into the next. She gathered her courage and her words. So much of what she wanted to explain to him was really just how she was feeling. And some of that was fear
She turned in her seat to face him more fully.
“Graham,” she said softly. “I didn’t share you on my TikTok because I wanted to keep this relationship private. And safe.”
He frowned, not unkindly. “Safe?”
