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After a week back in Charlotte,Lily was settled in the guesthouse, but was beginning to notice some odd behavior from her grandfather.
He was vague about his days. They ate dinner together every night and yet whenever she asked him about his day, he never gave her a real answer. It was all, “It was good” or “same old, same old” and that wasn’t like him. If anything, he tended to overshare every detail of what was going on in his life. That’s why she was taking matters into her own hands and going to his office to surprise him for lunch. She figured if she showed up unexpectedly, she’d get a glimpse into his day.
The going out to eat part was just a perk.
She parked in her father’s spot again before riding the elevator up to the executive floor. “Hey, Sara!” she said as she approached the desk. “You look so pretty today! Pink is a great color on you!”
“Oh! Thanks, Lily! Are you here to see your grandfather?”
She nodded. “Is he free?”
“He sure is! Go ahead in.”
“Thanks!” And with a small wave, she headed into the office and found her grandfather in a similar pose as she had last week—eyes closed, head back. She gently cleared her throat so she didn’t startle him.
“Lily! What a wonderful surprise,” he said with a smile. “What brings you here?”
“I was hoping to take you to lunch,” she said sweetly. “There are so many great places we can walk to, and I thought…”
“Oh, dear,” he murmured. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got a big conference call I need to get on in…” He paused and glanced at his watch. “In ten minutes. I’m afraid it’s going to be a long one.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Oh. Okay. No biggie. I guess I’ll just plan on seeing you for dinner.” Walking over to him, she gave him a hug before pulling back. “Don’t work too hard and make sure you eat.”
He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am!” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you at home.”
Well, that was disappointing.
Waving to Sara, Lily walked to the elevator and contemplated what she was going to do with herself now. She rode down to the parking garage and got all the way to her car before she decided that she didn’t want to drive anywhere. There really were some great restaurants within walking distance, and she wasn’t afraid to eat alone. So, she walked out of the garage and made the long trek around to the front of the building and sat down on one of the benches facing a massive fountain.
“I should probably look up some of these places and figure out what I’m really in the mood for.” Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her phone and began looking at her options. There was a Korean barbecue place around the corner that she was dying to try, but that was really more fun with someone else. The burger place she knew was fantastic, but was she in a burger mood? She shifted to get more comfortable when her hip cramped. Muttering a curse, she bent over slightly to stretch it out.
“Oh, William! You are so funny!” someone said—afemalesomeone—and Lily sat up and looked around just in time to see her grandfather walking arm in arm with a woman!
“What thewhat?” Lily got to her feet and tried to come to grips with what she just saw. Why would her grandfather tell her he had a conference call and was busy if he simply had other plans?
With a woman.
A woman who is not your grandmother.
The gasp was out before she could stop it. Hiking her purse strap over her shoulder, she turned to follow them, only to run directly into a wall.
Okay, not a wall, but a very solid person.
“Lily? Are you alright?” Noah asked, his hands gently grasping her shoulders.
“What? Oh, um…” She looked beyond him and couldn’t find which direction her grandfather went. “Dammit!”
“What’s the matter?”
Stepping out of his grasp, she pointed in the direction she last saw her grandfather. “Did you see my grandfather on your way out of the building?”
He shook his head. “No. Why?”
“He told me he had a conference call and was too busy to go to lunch. Then I see him walking arm in arm with…with…somewoman!Who the hell is this woman and why is she so cozy and flirty with my grandpa, huh?”
“Um…”
“Why would he lie? And what kind of woman gets all giggly and flirty with a married man?” she demanded. “I mean…sure, Grandpa’s still kind of a good-looking man…you know, in a grandpa way, but…ugh!We have to find them!”
