Page 78 of Pretty Relentless

“Interesting. Did you show Bethany that new game you wanted to play?” I ask, reaching out and grabbing the sweater again. I don’t even want to know how she found and retrieved it from my closet shelf, but that discussion will have to be tabled for later.

Annabelle just stares at me. “We’re going to play after dinner.” Her eyebrows are drawing together as she asks, “So it’s Max’s girlfriend’s? That’s weird.”

I shrug, shoving the sweater beneath the table onto my lap. “Max is weird.”

“Dinner’s almost ready,” my mom says. “Why don’t you run and see if your cousins are ready to eat?”

Annabelle takes off to the living room, and I feel two sets of laser-pointer eyes staring straight at me.

“I knew it,” Grandma boasts, clapping her hands proudly.

“Knew what?” Mom asks.

“That Gavin is in love. He’s practically glowing, don’t you think?”

I open my mouth to argue, but nothing comes out. “Can we not do this here?” I ask softly, especially since my sister is in the kitchen and my nieces, nephew, and daughter, as well as dad and brother-in-law are all in the living room around the corner.

“Fine, fine, but don’t think we haven’t noticed the fact you’re not denying it.”

I sigh, resolved.

“Is this the woman you were buying wine and flowers for?” Mom asks, clearly not caringasked to table the conversation.

“What?” I ask, choking on air.

She shrugs. “Well, you were buying wine a few weeks back and told me you had a date. And then Emily’s aunt Ruth saw you in the flower shop yesterday. Were you sending flowers to this mystery woman?”

“It’s gonna come out eventually,” Grandma announces, sipping her coffee without a care in the world.

I exhale deeply and rub my throbbing temple. “It will come out, yes, when we’re both ready to share. Until then, keep your nosiness in your own lanes.”

Mom throws up her hands. “Not trying to butt in, just curious as to why you’re so secretive. And for the record, I think it’s great. You haven’t really dated much since you and Julia split, so I’m all for you finding someone, falling in love, and giving me more grandbabies.”

“You’re having a baby?!”

I glance over my mom’s shoulder and find my sister standing there, wide-eyed and looking like she’s ready to burst. “No, I’m not having a baby, Jesus,” I groan, standing up and meeting all three of their gazes. “Yes, I’m seeing someone,” Istart quietly. “Annabelle doesn’t know. I’ll tell her—and all of you—when we’re both ready. We’re taking it slow. Very slow. End of story.”

“Don’t get upset, honey. We all want what’s best for you.”

“I know, and I appreciate that, really. When I have more to share, I will. Promise.”

They all nod in understanding, and even though I’m certain they all want to press me for more details, they abide by my wishes and end the discussion.

Conversation flows around me as we eat dinner, but my mind is a million miles away. It’s on Ava and the fact my family has figured out something’s different with me.

Ava.

That’s the difference.

She’s a game-changer.

After dinner, I head to the kitchen to help my mom clean up. Annabelle is with my sister, showing her how to make flowers out of Kleenex, so I take the opportunity to steal a few minutes with Mom.

“Dad’s back seems to be feeling better,” I say, drying off a large bowl and putting it away in the cabinet.

“Much. He’s been going to that chiropractor in Hudson the last few weeks. He’s done wonders at helping alleviate the pain and discomfort he’s been having. He says it’s just going to take some time.”

“I’m just glad he didn’t break anything when he fell,” I say, recalling that morning my mom called me. Dad was shoveling snow and slipped. He went down hard on his back and took an ambulance ride to make sure nothing was broken. It wasn’t, thankfully, but he put an end to snow removal for a while.

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