Sandy - Vested Interest

Jordan joined in his amusement. “A good one, I hope.” He reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers.

“I asked Sandy out a few weeks ago, Colin. We get along very well.”

“I noticed,” Colin deadpanned.

“I know you were close to your grandfather, and I hope my relationship with Sandy doesn’t upset you. But I’m very fond of her, and I think she is of me as well. Surely, you want her to be happy?”

Colin sat up straighter, all teasing gone. He regarded Jordan and me briefly. “I want nothing more than for her to be happy. I haven’t seen her smile like this for a very long time, and if you’re the cause, then you have my full blessing. Not that you need it,” he added with a shrug. “You’re both adults and can do with your lives whatever you choose.”

“I would prefer to have your blessing,” I said, meeting his eyes. He reminded me of Max—he had his eyes and the same tall, slim build. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but…” I trailed off.

Colin shook his head. “No, you’re too young. Gramps would have wanted you to be happy. That was always one of his biggest worries. He knew, just like I do, that you have too much love in you not to have someone to share it with. He and I talked a lot about what would happen once he was gone.”

That surprised me. “I didn’t know.”

He smiled. “He didn’t want you to. We talked about a lot of things.”

Jordan interrupted us. “Your grandfather was a great man. I met him several times, and I liked him a lot. He was very kind when my wife passed.”

Colin smiled. “That doesn’t surprise me. He was a kind man to everyone. He loved my nan fiercely.”

“I know.”

“Will you care for her the same way?”

Jordan shook his head. “I can’t. No one will ever love Sandy the way Max did. I’m not looking to compete with him, Colin. The same way Sandy will never replace my wife’s spot. But we can love another person just as strongly, though in a different way. How I feel about Sandy doesn’t take away the life I shared with my Anna. I believe my past helps me to be able to love another person because I know the joy that brings. The loneliness another person can dispel.” He leaned forward, his gaze steady on Colin. “I think Sandy and I can build something special together.”

“You seem to be moving fast.”

Jordan laughed, sitting back. “At our age, we have a wealth of experience behind us. We don’t need to play games or test the large dating pool. I like your nan, she likes me, and that is all we need to know. We don’t have the luxury of years ahead of us. If we’re happy, then we’re grabbing it. Living life now. Case closed.”

Colin was silent, mulling over what Jordan said. Jordan lifted his wine and sent a subtle wink my way, making me smile.

I picked up my wine. “How are all your Tinder dates going, by the way? Any interesting, ah, hookups lately, Colin?”

He began to laugh. “Point taken, Nan. You’ll be happy to know I deleted the app. I met a new nurse at the hospital. She is quite—” he swallowed “—lovely. She reminds me of you, actually. We’ve had three dates, and I was thinking of bringing her to meet you.” He grinned. “Maybe we can double one night.”

I smiled, hiding my surprise. Colin had never brought anyone to meet me. “I would like that.”

“Me too.”

He stood, placing his napkin on the table. “I should go. I have a five-a.m. shift tomorrow.”

“What about dessert?”

He shook his head. “I’ve interrupted long enough.” He reached across the table and shook Jordan’s hand. “It’s been a real pleasure. I hope to see more of you.”

“You as well.”

Colin winked. “You will.”

I walked him to the door, and he turned to hug me. “I like him, Nan.”

“I do too.”

“I meant what I said. Be happy.”

“I’m trying.”

He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Keep trying, Nan. I like seeing you this way.”

“I’m sorry I forgot.”

He shook his head. “That is the best part of all of this. I love the fact that you forgot. You were thinking of yourself, not me for a change.” Then he chuckled. “Next time, I’ll call first, though. That’s an image I only want to see once.”

Then he left, still laughing.

I joined Jordan in the kitchen. He had carried in the dishes and was loading them into the dishwasher. I leaned against the counter, watching as he stacked them in an orderly fashion, then reached under the sink and dropped in a pod, studying the controls for a moment before choosing a cycle and shutting the door.

He met my amused glance. “What?”

“Very domesticated.”

He chuckled dryly. “I had to learn. To be honest, I enjoyed cooking more than Anna did. I took over the kitchen on the weekends.” He held up a finger. “Except for coffee. She made far better coffee.”