~**~
Stretched out on the couch, I lift my head when I hear Gia’s Jeep pull up and watch her walk into the house a minute later, with Loki right behind her.
“Hey,” she says softly when her eyes come to me on the couch.
“How was your visit with your grandma?”
“All right.” She takes off her boots and coat then comes to sit down on the couch at my feet.
“Just all right? What happened?”
“Nothing happened.” She shrugs. “She didn’t talk, didn’t even acknowledge I was there. She’s slipping away, and I feel helpless against it. I don’t know what to do anymore,” she murmurs, and I sit up, which puts me closer to her.
Taking hold of her chin, I wait until I have her eyes to speak. “You being there with her, even if she doesn’t acknowledge you, is important. She might not understand it, but she can still feel that love and understand in some way that you are looking out for her,” I tell her, and her chin wobbles. “Don’t give up on her, baby.”
Her eyes close. “The hospice nurse was there when I got there, and she told me that, as hard as it would be, I need to prepare for her to go.”
“She’s right. I know that’s not easy to think about, but you need to think about it. Especially if she’s slipping way. But that doesn’t mean you pull back. It just means you get your heart ready to let her go when that time comes.”
“I know,” she agrees, pulling her eyes from mine and looking at the TV.
“Did you eat?” I ask, letting her chin go, and she shakes her head.
“No, I’m not hungry.”
“Gia, you need to eat,” I growl in frustration, and she looks at me once more.
“I will eat. I’m just not hungry right now.”
“We’re going out. Put your boots back on.” I stand, but she doesn’t move to get up. She just stares at me with wide eyes. “Come on.” I take both her hands and pull her up off the couch.
“Colton, I’m really not hungry.” She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her.
“Too bad, you’re going to eat.” I drag her to the door, where I hand over her coat and boots. Putting on my shoes, I listen to her complain under her breath about how annoying I am, as she puts them on. “Let’s go.” I hold the door to the garage open for her once she’s ready, and she stomps past me, then continues to stomp over to the passenger side door of my Suburban. Once we’re both in, I hit the garage door opener on the visor, turn on the engine, and back out.
“Can I ask you where it is we are going?” she snaps, and I don’t smile like I want to.
“You have two choices. We can grab a pizza and bring it home to eat, or we can go to Lawd’s and eat BBQ. Your choice.”
“Oh, now I have a choice?” she asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Thank you, oh great one, for bestowing that privilege upon me.” She places her hands together like she’s praying. “I don’t know what to do with that kind of power.”
“Okay, three choices Dimples.” I stop at the end of the driveway and look at her. “Pizza, BBQ, or you keep being a smart ass and I kiss the fuck out of you.”
“Colton,” she warns, but that warning sounds thick with arousal, which causes my jeans to suddenly become too tight.
“What’s it going to be?” I prompt, and her eyes drop to my mouth.
“BBQ,” she whispers, staring at my lips.
“You sure that’s what you want?” I question, and she licks her lips once more before looking away.
“Yes.”
Hitting my turn single, I pull out onto the road and drive us to town.
When I pull up and park outside of the restaurant I shut down the engine and get out. Meeting her at the hood I take her hand and lead her inside where we are seated immediately.
“Hey, Colton. How’s it going?” our waitress greets as soon as she arrives at our table.
“I can’t complain,” I say, and she smiles then looks at Gia.
“What can I get you to drink, darlin’?”
“Diet Coke if you’ve got it.”
“I do.” She beams at Gia before she looks at me once more. “What about you?”
“I’ll take a Bud.”
“Got it.” She jots both orders down on the notepad in her hand. “Do you need a minute to look over the menu, or are you ready to order?”
“We’re ready,” I reply, and she looks at Gia again.
“What’ll it be?”
“I’ll have the pulled pork sandwich with curly fries,” Gia says, closing her menu.
“What about you?” she asks me again.
“The same, but add an order of fried pickles.”
“Be back in a minute with your drinks.” She smiles at both of us and takes our menus before walking off.