Page 81 of Finding My Charming

“It seems like this is the first time in your life that you will have to trust your heart instead of that smart head of yours.”

“That’s your advice? Close my eyes and blindly throw myself into a decision that not only influences me but April and our cousins and the future generations of our family? Really, Grandma?” My voice had risen to the point of cracking, and I had to repeatedly remind myself to take deep breaths and relax. The one woman I could depend on for consistency and brutal honesty had just spouted off some nonsense about following my heart. What was wrong with the world?

“It’s the only way for you to find your happiness in time. Your whole life has been calculated to the minute detail, but this time you need to let go and trust yourself. I know it’s hard, and it’s terrifying. Elise, I’m telling you right now that you can do it.”

“You haven’t even heard about the other guy.”

Her grin grew into a wise smirk. “I have my methods of knowing all I need to about that young man. If he were the problem, you would have sat here arguing with yourself over him for the past few minutes.”

“What do you mean if he was the problem?”

And who was her little spy? April didn’t know enough about Dallin, neither did my Mom. I doubted Dad knew what was going on; otherwise, he’d have banned everyone from ordering delivery from the restaurant. That left Ari, who was afraid of Grandma, and Sherrie. I knew instantly who it was, and the traitor who was working with Grandma.

“You haven’t mentioned him because your head is clear about him.”

“Oh really? How do you know that if I don’t?”

“A grandmother knows, my dear. That and you didn’t have that sparkle in your eye while you were telling me about Vincent. It’s only been there for a few moments since you’ve been thinking of Dallin.”

I cringed at his name coming from her. I’d never mentioned his name to her. Was there no one I could trust to keep things in confidence?

“So, you’re saying Dallin is the one?” As frustrated as I was with her right now, I’d absolutely love if she could give me a direct answer.

“I think you know, but you’re too afraid to admit it to yourself.”

Helpful. If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.

I decided I was done with this. If she wanted to play a wise old woman at my expense, I wasn’t going to continue to sit there and take it. I had other things I could be doing, like reading or tanning or making a pros-and-cons list.

Grandma got the hint and stood to join me. We spent another couple of hours shopping at smaller boutiques, where she gave me more tips, but the discussion of the boys was over — at least for now. Even though she could be intimidating and drive me a little crazy, I did enjoy my day out with her. It was the most time we’d ever spent alone, which was a little sad. She’d helped me with figuring out my style and a little bit of who I was, and maybe when I had more time to mull it over, I would be able to understand her words from earlier.

Chapter 25

even though dad said I could take another day off or even the rest of the week, I was looking forward to getting back to my routine. I might not do anything life-altering at the office, but I liked the feeling of being needed there and helping out wherever I could. The other option was sleeping in and calling Ari, but I would be risking another day with Grandma if she found out I was home again.

Yesterday had been the antithesis of anything I could have expected, in the best way possible. I’d always felt that she loved me, most grandmas love their grandkids. Or they should. But we’d never had much of anything to bond over. She doesn’t care for modern literature or popular culture or my studies. Things changed yesterday. It was the first time I’d ever felt close to her, and who would have guessed she would know so much about me and my situation. For giving off the air of distance, she certainly had been paying attention. Maybe my sisters had kept her updated, or maybe she’d just read my mind.

After assuring Sherrie that I’d survived the entire day shopping, I tried to get caught up on work. It was amazing how many emails I had waiting for me. I spent the morning and the beginning of the afternoon clearing my inbox and finishing projects for the attorneys.

Sherrie nudged me around noon to see if I needed food, but I was in the zone.

It was strange how working could turn into a vacation from real life. For at least five hours, I hadn’t had a single thought about the necklace, boys, college, or my family.

The front door chimed quietly around two as people came back in from lunch. I’d barely looked up in greeting when I felt someone standing over me.

Dallin stood smiling and holding up a to-go box. His grin grew, and he set the food down on the counter beside me. “Hi, Elle. You had some worried coworkers.”

I looked at Sherrie, but she held up a cup from a fast-food place down the street.

“Who?”

“Some of the guys came over for lunch.”

He shrugged, but I was touched. Some of the attorneys and paralegals must have gone over.

“I asked about you, and they said you haven’t looked up from your desk all morning. They said they actually thought you were out of the office again, because it was so quiet. I guess it’s normally pretty crazy up here with you two.” He winked at Sherrie, and she laughed and shook her head while continuing to type.

“I was gone yesterday, so I’ve had a lot to catch up on. I didn’t know I was worrying everyone so much.”