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“See you later,” I say.
Riley nods at me and walks off.
I don’t mean to stare at his back muscles or toned ass; it’s just they’re on display and hard to miss.
Gigi sips her green juice and waits until Riley is in the pool house behind closed doors to say, “He grew up nicely, didn’t he?”
“Who?” I know exactly who she’s talking about.
Gigi arches a brow. “Eye candy never made a broken heart worse.”
I let out a heavy sigh.
“I hope you’re not this pouty the whole time you’re here. I was hoping to have some fun with my favorite granddaughter.”
“Your only granddaughter.”
“Only the best granddaughter ever.”
That gets a smile from me, despite my reluctance to be cheered up. “Did you plan this little meet-cute?”
“I did no such thing.” She crosses her arms and avoids my gaze.
“You did!” I gasp. “I know you, Gigi. Inez told me how she never sees Riley except for when he walks to the gym. She said you chat with him when he does, and now I’m supposed to believe it was a happy coincidence that you were at the pool when I arrived and had me meet you here, which also happened to be at the same time Riley finished his workout?”
“Darling, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She dips a sliced radish into the hummus and dabs her lips with the napkin after taking a bite.
“What was your plan?” I keep on, having too much fun. “For Riley and me to fall in love at first sight and ride off bareback into the sunset together?”
She cracks a small smile but is quick to hide it. “Don’t be silly. I don’t own horses.”
I point at her face. “You are so busted. Admit it. You plotted all of this.”
She lifts her chin and lets a bit of that smile free. “I admit to nothing, dear. And you would be wise to do the same. If it’s not validated, it’s nothing more than hearsay, a rumor.”
“A tabloid—in my case.”
“Fake news.” Gigi’s voice is stern.
“But not always.” I frown, as a cool breeze flutters over my sun-warmed skin.
Gigi pats my leg, tenderly. “I know, dear. I’m sorry for what you’re going through. Living in the spotlight isn’t easy. But I can tell you from experience, it will pass. Someone else will catch the media’s attention and you’ll be old news.”
“Maybe.” I shrug.Hopefully.
“This conversation took a turn for the worse.” Gigi sighs.
A wet piece of something slaps the side of my face and falls to my lap. I pick up a slice of radish from my thigh and glare at my grandmother, who’s staring ahead, pretending to watch the sun glisten off the pool water.
“You threw a radish at me?” I ask with disbelief.
“I had to do something to get that frown off your pretty face.”
“Gigi!” I grab a handful of radishes and toss them at her.
She laughs as they land all over her arms and hands. One sticks to her wrist.
I giggle and wait to see what she does.
