“Sure you can.”
“I have to sort things out. It’s not that simple. Grandpa needs someone to handle the family. He needs someone to mediate and keep things spinning.”
The server comes over and takes our orders, then disappears.
I slowly move my hand to the middle of the table, pressing my palm flat. “Why are you doing the family diplomat?”
“Because it needs to be done.”
“No. Why are you doing this? What do you get out of this?”
He slides his hand forward until his fingertips touch mine. “I want to make my grandpa happy.”
And there’s the crux of the matter. He wants his grandfather’s approval and love. And feels as though he has to perform for it.
“But I feel like it’s becoming consuming,” he adds.
We sit in silence, our fingertips barely touching each other.
“I told your grandpa the truth,” I say slowly.
Nash looks up from the boring tabletop. “What did he say?”
I grimace. “He knew the entire time.”
“Wait, theentiretime?” Nash’s eyes widen.
“He said he knew what your fiancée looked like before I even came around.”
“So, he knew right away. And said nothing.” Nash shakes his head. He smirks. “He must really like you then.”
“He asked me if I was with you for the money during one of our visits,” I say with a shrug.
The server brings our plates of food, but I’m not hungry anymore. Nash looks angry. Furious even.
My stomach drops.Does he think I’m with him for his money?
“This isn’t going to work.”
“Your hamburger?” I ask, because I don’t like where this is going.
“No. Us. This.”
I push the plate of food to the middle of the table so that I can fold my arms and rest them there. “I don’t care about your money, Nash.”
He shakes his head. “I know you don’t. You helped me when you didn’t know anything about me. That tells meeverything I need to know about you. But this? This family dynamic? It’s going to ruin everything. I can’t date you while this is going on.”
“What does that mean? Are we breaking up on our first date?”
Nash looks at me, warring emotions flashing across his face. “I have to settle things before we can continue.”
“Or I can stand at your side while you handle things.”
“I will not put you in the middle of this mess.”
“You already have,” I remind him gently.
“And it’s not fair to you. I can’t believe Grandpa suggested you were with me just for my money.”
