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She wasn’t about to tell him that she’d been too nervous and embarrassed to ask him before. Instead, she shrugged. “Who says I wasn’t saving the best till last?”
He laughed at that. “I’m not sure that’s true, but I’ll take it.” His smile faded. “I’d love to do it, but if Ava’s going to Molly’s, she won’t be able come with me.”
Hannah brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she scowled. “Oh, that’s right. Sorry, I forgot.”
Grady smiled. “Looks like Molly set us up.”
“Do you mind?” Hannah’s heart was pounding. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel like he was being landed with her when he didn’t want to be.
He touched her arm and smiled. “I don’t mind one bit. I’d love to be one of your calendar guys, and if you’re free afterwards, can I take you out?”
“You can if you want to – but don’t feel that you have to. I …”
His hand closed around her arm, and he squeezed it gently. “I want to, Hannah. We got off to a pretty rocky start, but I’d like to think that’s behind us now.”
“I would, too. So, yes, I’d love to go out with you afterwards. What time can you come out there?”
He frowned. “Out where?”
“To the estate.”
He frowned again.
Well, crap. If he didn’t know where she lived, then he didn’t know who she was. Normally, that would be a pleasant surprise. But in Grady’s case, she had a feeling that when he found out, it might go against her. His hand was still on her arm, and she covered it with her own and gave it a squeeze, hoping to somehow cement their connection. “The Jacobs Estate. I’m Hannah Jacobs.”
She saw the shock register in his eyes and only dared to breathe again when he smiled.
“Well, okay then Hannah Jacobs, I have to work on Saturday, but if Ava’s going home with Molly, I can get to your place by about four if that works?”
She nodded. It’d have to work. She’d make it work. The other guys were coming earlier but it’d be okay.
Chapter Seven
Grady leaned back in his armchair and pulled the lever to bring the footrest up. He wasn’t one to sit around on his ass normally, but it had been a long hard week at the restaurant. Ava was glued to the TV, watching her favorite movie. Even he knew all the words to every song, they’d watched it that often. He tried to be the best parent he could to her. He knew he didn’t always get it right. But he hoped that he made up for his shortcomings with love. There was no question that he loved that little girl with all his heart and soul.
She turned and smiled at him. “I like Friday nights with you, Uncle Grady.”
He winked at her. “I like every night with you, Pixie. You just like Fridays because you get to choose what we watch and what we eat.”
“Nuh-uh! I like every night and every day with you, too. I especially like Fridays because you relax.” She smiled. “Sometimes you even fall asleep in your chair. I think you’re going to do that tonight. But you have to wait until after the pizza comes.”
“Oh yeah? And why’s that?”
“You know why, silly! I’m not allowed to open the door. You have to do it.”
“That’s right. I do. I forgot.”
“No, you didn’t. You’re making sure that I remember the rules.”
He rolled his eyes and blew out an exaggerated sigh. “There’s no fooling you, is there?”
She shook her head happily. “Nope. What are you going to do tomorrow night?”
“Why?” He was feeling guilty that he hadn’t told her that he was going out with Hannah.
She frowned at him. “Because I’m going to help Aunt Molly with baby Luca, remember? She said I could. Or … am I not allowed to?”
He hated the doubt and confusion on her little face. There were so many things she hadn’t been allowed to do when she’d lived with his brother. He made himself smile. “Well, of course you are!”
