“I wasn’t asking for her itinerary, dumbass. I was asking when you’re finally going to make your move.”
“What move?”
“I see the way you look at the girl when you think no one’s paying attention. A woman like that won’t be single for long. So stop dilly-dallying and throw your hat in the ring.”
Oh, Jesus. I shook my head. “We’re not having this conversation, Grams.”
“Why the hell not? When was the last time you had a girlfriend? I’m not talking about a hookup—I mean a nice girl to date.”
The word hookup should never come out of anyone’s grandmother’s mouth. “I’ve been focused on my business the last few years. Besides, that’s not what Evie wants.”
Grams frowned. “That twit really did a number on you. I worry about you, Merrick. When you close your heart to opportunity, you miss out on love.”
“I’m not doing that.”
“Okay. So then humor me for a minute. Do you think Everly is attractive?”
I sighed, knowing Grams would never let it go if I didn’t play along. “She’s a beautiful woman, yes.”
“Got a great ass, too.”
I shook my head with a laugh. “Yes, Evie also has a nice figure.”
“Do you often find yourself wondering what’s going on in her head?”
“Yes, but she’s a therapist. So she has a unique way of looking at things.”
“See a future with her?”
I didn’t want to throw Evie under the bus and say it was her who was stopping anything from happening. But it was becoming inevitable.
“Grams, you’re talking to the wrong person. Evie knows I’m attracted to her.”
“Of course she does. But she also sees a man who’s closed off from his feelings and angry at the world—a man who can quickly answer questions about his attraction to her, but say the word future, and you change the subject. You’re two good-looking people. Lust isn’t the problem; it’s being afraid of love.”
“I’m fine, Grams. Really. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m not afraid to fall in love.”
Grams’s face turned serious. “Oh, I never thought you were, sweetheart. I think you’re afraid you won’t be loved back.”
• • •
“Thank you so much for coming today.” I shook my head as I drove. “I would never have gotten her to agree to have surgery without you. What did you say to her when you asked for a few minutes to talk alone?”
Grams, Evie, and I had all gone in to meet with the doctor after she examined Grams. The doctor laid out all of the reasons my grandmother needed a hysterectomy, but Grams was adamant that things would heal on their own. She wanted to give it some time. Then Evie asked if they could have a few minutes alone. Twenty minutes later, my grandmother was signing consent forms and getting scheduled for this coming Wednesday.
Evie smiled. “Do you really want to know?”
I sighed. “Never mind. But thank you.”
Grams had asked us to drop her off at Marvin’s, so now it was just the two of us pulling into her driveway.
“You’re welcome,” Evie said.
I put the car in park and killed the ignition, but made no move to get out. “I think I’m going to work from down here until she’s out of the hospital and back home safely. I’ll probably arrange a nurse to come by and check on her, too, which will piss her off.”
Evie smiled. “It definitely will. But I’m glad you’re going to stay. I’m going to see if I can get a flight home late tonight or tomorrow morning. I didn’t cancel tomorrow’s patients yet, and I hate to have people think they aren’t my priority when I just started.”
“I don’t think that’s the case, but I understand.”