Page 84 of Billion Dollar Revenge

“Your grandson made it better, though.” I offer him a knowing smirk as he sips his coffee.

Her house is large, but with Evan, he makes the room feel small. He takes over every sense.

I sip my tea and let Gram talk about her garden.

“Which was your favorite?” she asks.

“Your white gardenias.”

I jerk when his hand reaches onto my lap and settles there. It’s sitting mid-thigh, and I’m growing hot. I hope he doesn’t try to make me pay for my comments because I’d say sorry if I have to.

Gram has moved on from talking about the garden to her daytime soap, and I know the one she’s talking about. Evan grumbles beside me and inches his hand up higher. My body freezes, and I keep my hands above the table so she doesn’t think there’s anything going on. I have no idea if she can see Evan’s hand, but I want him to quit teasing. Thankfully, we’re interrupted by Saylor.

The famous dessert is a chocolate sponge cake, and it looks mouth-watering. She's popped sprinkles on top.

I take a picture of Evan and the cake, then upload it to my social media pages.

Picking up my fork, I stab a piece, unable to wait any longer for a bite. But I lose my appetite the moment Bobby sends me a text.

Bobby:I should have known you were an untrustworthy slut but why did you have to choose my boss and one-up me?

My heart lurches to my throat as his words break me momentarily. But as much as the desire screams at me to text him back and say,fuck you, leave me alone,I do what I should have done but forgot to do…I block his ass via text and all social channels and then refocus on the cake. I don’t want Gram or Evan to realize Bobby has bothered me. Instead, I choose to ignore his insults and stay strong.

The pillowy cake is incredible. Gram is a great cook. The cake is not too sweet and not too bland. It’s the perfect mix.

Evan finishes his slice in four bites. He even managed to do it one-handed. That's right, he refused to move his hand from my leg. Not that I’m totally complaining, because it’s like he doesn’t want to let me go. Keeping me within reach because he wants to, and I revel in it.

I feel full and like I could be rolled out of here. Drinking my tea, I drag my chair out so I can clean up.

“No, dear. Leave it. Saylor will do it,” Gram says.

I don’t want to argue with her, so I remove my hand and sit back down. But I notice Evan starts cleaning up with Saylor and it makes my heart swell.

As much as I’ve enjoyed being here tonight, I’m ready to head home. Ready for him to finish what we started in the bathroom.

As if Evan can read my mind, his hand reaches for mine. “We should get going, Gram.”

She looks at her dainty gold watch on her wrist. “Yeah, it’s getting late.”

I stand, and Gram brings her walker with her.

“Gram, you can go sit down. We can see ourselves out.”

“No, I’ve got my walker, I can do it,” she says, as she walks us to the door.

We follow closely behind. Evan looks like he’s ready to catch her when she falls. I think my heart melted a little more. Is there anything more beautiful than your man doting over his gram?

Evan pulls the door open. He kisses and hugs her before stepping into the doorway.

I copy him, giving her a kiss and briefly hugging her. I touch her bony shoulder; having noticed her smaller frame when I first met her. Nova told me all about her cancer. It’s awful, and I worry who Evan will become if he ever loses her. Will he withdraw further into himself? Or fill the void with work? What would he do?

Shaking off those dark thoughts, I smile at her. “It was lovely to meet you.”

“Same, dear. Now go make some babies.”

Evan fires back fast with a grimace. “Grams, please.”

“Well, practice then.” She winks, which makes me chuckle. “You know what they say, practice makes perfect.” Gram’s eyes move to mine.

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