Page 43 of She's a Big Deal

“I’m going to Ottawa on Sunday. If you still want to come, I’ll pick you up at oh-seven-thirty.”

Now her stomach performed a nice double-flip.

“Oh yeah, I still want to come. Great! Uh… What made you change your—”

“See you then,” Grace cut again before ending the call.

So damn rude…And that temper was so attractive at the same time! It was probably a handy way to hide her irritation as well. Olivia suspected that Grace did not often change her mind after making an executive decision. She grinned at her puppy.

“You know what, Ev? I think the woman does like me.”

???

Charlie was pleased at the news. “I’ll feel a lot better knowing you’re not on your own for the long drive, especially at this time of year.”

“I invited you to come,” Grace pointed out.

“Yes darling, but I wouldn’t be much help with the driving. It’s best if you have Olivia with you.”

Grace gave her a long look. Her aunt could drive, no issue there. Her cardiologist had given her the green light to resume life as normal. She’d started to exercise and had found a personal trainer she actually got on well with.

“You just want me to take her, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Charlie grinned. “I certainly do.”

“Why?”

“You should have seen how good the two of you looked on the dance floor the other night.” Grace just shrugged, ready to terminate the conversation, but Charlie stepped forward to take her face gently in her hands. “You looked happy, darling. With the sort of smile I haven’t seen on your face in a long while.”

“Yeah, well… It’s nothing.”

“But you two are close?”

“No. Not really.”

“Grace?”

“We just…”Oh, for God’s sake!“Olivia kissed me.”

Charlie’s eyes widened. “The other night at the awards?”

“Hmm. Yes. And I kissed her back.” Now her aunt blasted a smile bright enough to make her wish for sunglasses. “Don’t you turn this into a thing,” Grace muttered in warning.

“Oh, no. Far from me to suggest that you may be attracted to her,” Charlie chuckled.

“Good. Because I’m really not.”

“But Olivia kinda is, you know? I mean, it really is written all over her cute little face. I could tell from the word go, the day you met each other here. She couldn’t take her eyes off of you. She’s such a sweetheart.”

“You’re exaggerating.” Wishful thinking on her part, Grace knew for sure. But hey… Sometimes a little dose of denial could be helpful.

“She’s into you.” Charlie laughed, not going along with the program. “And I dare say you paid her a bit more attention than you normally would anyone else.”

“I don’t think so, Charlie.”

“Uh-huh. But now you’ve had an intimate moment.”

“Moment of weakness. It won’t happen again.”

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