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“Care to share with the class?”
“I already did. Declan Kincaid is your future.”
“You have no way of knowing that. And what I meant was how do you know things? What am I not seeing that you are?”
“Comes with age, my dear. It’s a trade secret I cannot set free.” She grins wildly.
“I’m going to get ready.”
“Make sure you trim… um, the forest,” she calls after me.
“Grandma!” I gasp as I stop and turn to face her.
She nods. “Go on now.”
I continue to the spare bedroom, all while shaking my head. She’s eccentric, but I love her, and I’ve missed her more than I realized.
I’ve barely pulled into Alyssa’s driveway when she comes bouncing out of the house. She taps on my window, and I roll it down for her. “Want me to drive?” she offers.
“My car’s already warm. You can be my copilot.”
She grins and makes her way to the passenger side and climbs inside.
“All right, where are we headed?” I ask her.
“How much time do we have?”
“All day. Grandma assures me she’s fine and she’s doing really well. She insisted I come, so however long we need.”
“Perfect. Let’s drive to Harris and go to the mall. We’ll find something there for sure.”
“Are you looking for something in particular?” I ask.
“Not sure. Just something new. I was looking at my closet this morning, and nothing stood out to me. I figured a night out deserves a new outfit.”
“I didn’t really pack anything enticing either, so I’m glad that you called.”
“Okay, I have to ask. What’s up with you and Declan? I’ve known him for years, and I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”
“What’s up with you and Sterling?” I counter.
“Touché.” She chuckles. “Nothing is the sad truth. He’s been my best friend since we were kids, and that’s all we’ve ever been.”
“Really? Not even a kiss?”
“Nope. Sure, on the cheek. We hold hands, especially at big events, so he doesn’t lose me in the crowd, but nothing but friends.”
“Wow. The way the two of you are with each other, it feels like you’re a couple. That’s from an outsider looking in.”
“Yeah, I sometimes guess it kind of feels that way too, but that’s only because we’re so close. He’s always been there for me and me for him. That’s just who we are. We’ve each dated people who didn’t understand our relationship, but that’s okay. I want someone in my life who is going to be okay with Sterling and me being close. If not, they can hit the road. He feels the same way.”
“Have you ever considered exploring more with him?”
“No. Never. Now that I’ve answered all your questions, it’s time for you to answer mine. Take a right up here,” she instructs me.
“Nothing to tell, really.”
“Lies.”
“Fine. We’ve hung out a few times.”
“And?” she prompts. “Come on. It’s more than that.”
“He asked me to hang out with him while I’m here.”
“Hang out, like last night, or hang out as in mattress dancing?” she asks.
“Mattress dancing?” I laugh. “How old are you again?” I tease. It’s as if we’ve known each other for years.
“Hey, I’ve learned to keep it clean since Blakely came on the scene. She gets enough of that trash talk from her uncles. Aunt Alyssa is not going to be the cause.”
“Aunt Alyssa, huh?”
“Stop. It’s just easier than explaining to a little girl that I’m her uncle's best friend. Sure, she could probably figure that out now, but when she was smaller, it was just easier. Sterling told her to call me that, and we all kind of just accepted it.”
I watch as she shrugs out of the corner of my eye. “Aunt Alyssa has a nice ring to it,” I tell her.
“Annyywayyy, tell me more. Declan. Let’s hear it.”
“I don’t know. I’m recently divorced, and I don’t live here.”
“So that’s what’s stopping you? Take the distance out of the equation and the divorce too. Do you still love him? Your ex?”
“No.”
“So without either of those two things, tell me what you’re thinking?”
“If neither were an issue, I’m thinking I’d like to see more of him.”
“Then do it. You can work anywhere, right? That’s why you were able to be here to help your grandma?”
“Yes.”
“Is there something back home that’s keeping you there? I know it’s not your job.”
“My parents live there.” Not that I see much of them. They spend a lot of time traveling and going to dinner with friends. They’re empty nesters and enjoying life, as they should be.
“How often are they home? How often do you see them?”
“Are you a mind reader?” I ask.
“No, but I’m not as close to the situation as you are, either. I can look at it more objectively than you can.”
“Not as much as I’d like.”
“And your job? You just admitted that you can work anywhere, right?”
