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I’m up to bat. “Lauren’s right. We have things to work out.” I stare at Lauren blankly. I don’t know how to make significant changes to my situation. Does Lauren want to get back together, or is she playing the role?
Gran sighs. “I’d like to be around to see you get married. It would mean the world to me if you could work it out and set a date. I’ll go to the grave knowing my grandson has a bright future and my family line will continue.”
My stomach sours. “Gran—” I cut myself short. I hate hearing her talk about the grave. I can’t accept that she’s leaving us. But I must. She’s not scared to talk about it, so I shouldn’t be either.
Lauren squats beside my grandmother and rubs her shoulder. “Mason is a good man. He will carry on your legacy and make you proud.”
Gran places a frail hand over Lauren’s. “And you. You’ll be the mother of my great-grandchildren. You’ll raise them to make a difference in the world.”
Unshed tears glaze Lauren’s eyes. She locks eyes with me. She’s not good with emotions, and comments about Gran not being around one day would be hard for her.
I touch Gran’s arm. “We love you, Gran. You’ve given so much to our family, and we’ll do our part to carry on your legacy.” Will that settle her mind?
“Thank you.” She nods. “Now, set a wedding date. And reserve me a spot on the front row.” She looks between us and gives a single clap. “Snap to it, you two. No more procrastinating.”
Lauren stands and stares at me. “Ah. We were planning to elope, weren’t we, honey? We didn’t want to make a big fuss about it. Such a waste of money.” She bites her bottom lip.
“Nonsense,” Gran barks. “I’ll pay for it. I can’t take money to the grave. So let me take care of the expenses.”
There goes Gran, talking about the grave again. I can tell Lauren is uncomfortable as heck. Or is it because Gran’s pressuring us for a public wedding? It won’t work.
I shake my head at Gran. “I can afford the wedding expenses. Lauren doesn’t want a big ceremony. Something simple. We’d rather elope.” I swallow. “And focus on the honeymoon.” I duck, anticipating Lauren’s slap?
“I want to be at the wedding. At least invite close family. That won’t make much fuss. You won’t deny me seeing you kids at the altar, will you?” Gran gives us a puppy-eyed plea. It’s pathetic. Lauren must know Gran’s sappy look is pure manipulation.
Lauren squeezes Gran’s hand. “Of course, we want you to be there.” She worries her brow at me. “Mason and I will talk it over. Maybe we can do a small ceremony. Like ten people, max.”
What is she talking about? Is she seriously going to put on a fake wedding for Gran? My spine stiffens. How are we going to convince our family to go along? Mom and Dad know I haven’t broken the news to Gran. But I remember Lauren’s dad like a poison ivy rash. He won’t approve.
Hold on. Has Gran even met the man? No, she hasn’t. We could hire an actor. Oh, man. We’re up to our necks in this mess. I look at my grandmother, and her face glows like the moon on a cloudless night. She’s literally glowing. It’s not like I will find the right woman and get married before Gran passes. She can go to the grave in peace, knowing I’m going to marry Lauren. And who knows, maybe I will one day. I don’t want anyone else. And since seeing Lauren again, it’s confirmed I never got over her.
I let out a breath. That’s why I kept the ring. I didn’t want to face the fact that I’d lost her forever. And maybe, just maybe, I have a chance to win her back. All thanks to Gran.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I already know who it is without looking. I slip out the phone and fumble to press answer as the ring tone blares the song, “I’ve got bills I gotta pay.” I turn my back to Lauren. “Dad. What’s up?”
“Where’s the report?” His tone is clipped, and he always yells when he’s on his cell. He doesn’t understand that you can talk normally, and the speakers do the rest. It’s impossible to work and concentrate in the same room as the man when he’s on a call.
I take one step away from Gran. “I’ll do an all-nighter if I need to. It’ll be on your desk by the morning.”
“You agreed to have it done before you left.”
Gran scoots beside me. “Give me that phone.”
I chew on my cheek. Oh, boy. Head boss lady wants to give Dad a what for. I obey my grandmother. The scowl on her face tells me not to protest.
Gran presses the phone to loudspeaker and yells just like Dad. “Now, listen here, Graham. You’re interrupting our day out. When are you going to visit me? It’s been three weeks.”
Dad stutters. It’s not often the man is stumped for words. “Soon.”
“Fine. Well, Mason is spending time with Lauren and me right now. So he can’t take calls.”
“Lauren?”
I dive for the phone. “I’ll take it from here.” I snatch the cell and take it off loudspeaker.
Lauren moves in front of Gran and starts talking about Cinda’s latest dog trick.
“Dad. Gotta go,” I say into the mouthpiece as I stride away from Gran’s hearing.
