“I didn’t know you would have company,” Gerald tells Grace. “I was hoping we could go see that movie you’ve been wanting to see.”
“Oh.” She blushes.
“The four of us could go,” Gerald offers.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “But we have dinner plans and about an hour’s drive home.”
“Next time.” He smiles at me.
“Grace, do you mind if I grab a glass of water?” Gerald asks.
“Help yourself,” she tells him. He gives her arm a gentle squeeze, and something passes between them. I’d bet my next paycheck he’s not the least bit thirsty. He’s giving us time, especially Cameron and Grace, to discuss his presence and declaration of being her boyfriend.
“When did we start keeping secrets?” Cameron asks.
“It was so new,” she tells him with a heavy sigh. “I didn’t want to bring it up if it was going nowhere.”
“And now?” he asks her.
“He’s a good man, Cameron. He’s good to me, and I enjoy spending time with him.”
“We should go.” Cameron stands, and I see the hurt written all over his mom’s face.
“Grace, can you give us a few minutes?”
“Sure.” She turns and walks out of the room.
I move to climb onto Cameron’s lap, and he wraps his arms around me, holding me tight. Like he always does. “I’m happy for her,” I tell him.
He grunts.
“She’s been alone a long time.”
“She had me.”
“That’s different, and you know it. What would you do if you didn’t have me to hold, to kiss whenever you wanted? What if I wasn’t there to snuggle with at night or to make love to you?”
“That would be me living in hell.”
I smile. “She’s an adult. She can make her own choices. I, for one, am happy for her.”
He sighs. “It’s more that she didn’t tell me. Why is she hiding him from me?”
“I don’t think it was malicious. You told me she’s never really dated. This is all new for her. However, I do think he’s a good man.”
“You just met him.”
“I know, but I also saw the way his hand rested on the small of her back as he led her into the room. I saw that look he gave her as she introduced him, and I saw his eyes when he told us he was her boyfriend. He’s in love with her.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
“It’s not possible from a look, Paisley.”
“Oh, but it is.”
“Explain.”