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Grant nodded toward the flowers on the table. “He doesn’t walk around giving girls flowers all the time, if that’s what you think.”
“I don’t think that. But he doesn’t even know me. And if he did, he probably would have saved his money.”
I hated the way I sounded, but no one knew what it was like to be me. No one knew what I’d been through. It would have all been fine if I’d had a ring on my finger. People would have thought I was married, and being a young mother would have been more acceptable. Some days I was tempted to do it, to buy a fake wedding ring and wear it to avoid the judgment and pity on strangers’ faces.
Grant gave me a sympathetic look. “Nothing about you could be that bad, Sofia. I can’t even imagine what it is you’re not telling me.”
Guys from his era seemed more chivalrous and family-oriented. I imagined if Grant had learned something like this about the love of his life, he would have stepped in to be the man of the house, no questions asked. But guys today were more self-absorbed and cared about all the wrong things—like money, fame, and screwing as many women as possible.
“It’s not bad. It’s just different. I’m pretty sure Ryan wouldn’t be interested, so I’m saving us both the trouble. That’s all.”
Grant pursed his lips again as he thought. “So he doesn’t get a say in the matter? You’ve already made the decision for both of you? That’s not fair. What if you’re wrong?”
I knew what Grant was doing, pointing out the fact that I wasn’t even giving Ryan a chance, but he was wrong. I was doing the right thing for all involved.
Shaking my head slowly, I said, “I’m not.”
“How about this? When I get out of here, you and I will have our first date at Ryan’s bar. Then you can decide during our date if you want to give him a chance or not.”
It sounded absolutely insane. “I just told you I’m not interested in Ryan.”
“You are, though. You know it. Ryan knows it. And that’s why you have to say yes to my offer.”
I huffed out an annoyed breath, but I wasn’t annoyed at all. I stalled, all the while knowing I would agree to this ridiculous idea. “Fine.”
“Is that a yes?”
When I said yes, Grant grinned like he’d never been more proud of himself and clapped his hands.
“I should probably get going.” I reached for the arm-breaking bouquet of flowers and hefted them into my arms. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then I bent down and gave Grant a quick peck on the cheek before turning to leave.
“Angel, wait!” he said quickly, and I paused. “I need your number. You know, just in case.”
A slow grin spread across my face. “Just in case, what?”
“In case you try to disappear on me.”
My jaw dropped open in mock shock. “How dare you. I would never.”
“You might,” he teased, and I laughed out loud.
“You’re right,” I said as he held out his cell phone. Putting down the flowers again, I took his cell phone and typed my name and number into it before handing it back. “I wasn’t sure which name to put it under, but it’s in there under Sofia.”
Grant stared at his phone before pressing a button for the nurse.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked, suddenly concerned, but he waved me off.
“I just need to find out when I’m getting the hell out of here. I have a date to go on.”
Where Is He
Sofia
I looked into my son’s sweet eyes as I tucked him into bed. As much as I loved the fact that his eyes were a gorgeous shade of blue, I hated that they looked exactly like his father’s. I could never forget where Matson came from, not when I looked into the almost identical eyes.
“Did you have fun with Nana tonight?”
Matson nodded his head vigorously, a smile plumping up his cheeks. They used to be chubbier but were slimming now as he grew taller, losing his baby fat.
