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“Well. That’s quite the turn of events.”
“A turn you wanted.”
“It’s a turn all the same,” she replied, smoothing her long skirt out over her legs. “Let me guess. You haven’t spoken to her since.”
“I don’t appreciate that correct assessment.”
“That’s why I offered it.” She rested her hands on her lap. “Max, the fact you’ve spoken about it to her is huge. Why run away from her after it?”
“Because I’m not sure I was ready to speak about it.”
“You never are. Sooner or later, this had to happen. You’d meet someone who would make you—”
“Stop,” I said firmly, looking at her. “Grandma, please.”
“—Feel the way you do right now,” she continued, happily ignoring me. “You’ve been growing closer over the past few weeks. This was inevitable. You were always going to open up to her. I am surprised it happened so soon.”
“Why do you think it was inevitable? Because you imagined it so? Because it’s whatyouwanted?”
“No, because I could see in both of you that you were becoming more than just friends, no matter how much you insisted otherwise.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Technically speaking, we are just friends.”
“If that makes you feel better.”
“We’re not in a relationship, Grandma. No matter what you think. I can assure you that regardless of any emotions that may or may not be present, we are only friends.”
“You protest far too much.”
“I’m really not in the mood for this, so if you’re just in here to wind me up, then don’t bother.” I looked away from her. “I told Ellie I wanted to be left alone and that’s the truth.”
“Why? So you can wallow in your feelings and feel sorry for yourself? So you can come up with an endless stream of excuses as to why you shouldn’t just accept the fact you have feelings for the girl?”
I ignored her, keeping my gaze trained on the window.
“You can’t run away from everything, Maximillian. Things can and will catch up to you, and it’s about time you accepted that.”
“I’m not running from anything,” I argued. “I’m trying to work through what I’m feeling right now, and you aren’t helping.”
“Then tell me and I might be able to.” She opened her hands, crossing one leg over the other. “There’s no shame in asking for help, despite your insistence of doing everything yourself.”
“Where do I get that from, hmm?”
“Goodness knows. I always ask for help.”
She was full of it.
Sheneverasked for help.
I sighed and looked at her. “Fine. What am I supposed to do? I can’t get married. I won’t let anyone go through what Mum did and—”
“Stop right there.” Grandma put both of her feet on the floor and leant forwards. “I want you to listen to me very, very closely, before you say another word.”
I stopped, then nodded.
“You are not your father, Max.”
My stomach twisted.
