Page 19 of Sidelined By Love

But there’s a tenderness in his gaze on her that makes me think they’re going to be all right.

“Just okay?” I ask with a raised eyebrow. “If he keeps providing muffins like this,I’dbe tempted to move in.”

A water bottle to his lips, Grants lets out a snort that sounds painful and sprays water across the counter. Kenna laughs out loud, and I keep my focus on her, refusing to risk meeting his gaze.

“I mean, he’s nice and all. He’s just always thinking about football.”

Giving her an exaggerated frown, I sigh. “Yeah, that would be hard. Although that is his job—and it does keep a roof over your head. There must be something you like about being here.”

“Well, I guess he has pretty good taste in movies. But he doesn’t know anything about theater or acting.”

I sit up a little straighter, while he mumbles something about football practice since he was seven.

“Is that something you’re interested in? Acting?”

Kenna’s eyes flash bright and she swivels on her stool to look right into my face. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do!”

I know that feeling.

“There’s a . . . um . . .” Her smile falters as her face turns tight. “Never mind. It’ll never happen.”

Grant slips around the end of the island and sits on Kenna’s other side. “What is it, kiddo?”

She pokes her muffin again, her lips working back and forth as though she’s trying to remember the words of a script. “There’s an audition for the school musical, and I want the lead.”

“That’s great!” Grant claps his hands just like when he’s breaking a huddle. “You’re sure to get the part.”

With a quick shake of her head, Kenna says, “Some of the girls have been in drama for years. But we didn’t have it at my old school. The girls in my class said I shouldn’t even bother auditioning.”

Grant’s confidence seems to leak out of him as he rests one hand on the back of Kenna’s stool and the other on the countertop. He’s so assured in most areas of his life—but this is obviously something he’s never had to deal with. Theater. And teenage girls.

Catching his eye, I lift a shoulder, silently asking permission to step in. He gives me a subtle nod.

“Sounds to me like they might be afraid of a little competition.” Nudging my knee against hers earns me a little smile. “Maybe I could help you prepare for your audition. I mean, if you wanted.”

“Are you serious?” A rocket’s got nothing on Kenna as she shoots out of her seat. “Really? Really?”

“If it’s okay with your uncle.”

Kenna flings her arms around his neck, all the convincing he seems to need.

Seven

Grant

Zoe! Wait!“ I chase after her with a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure that Kenna isn’t following me.

A hand on the open door of her car, she turns toward me, looking up expectantly. I don’t really know what to do or say. Even if I am the one chasing after her this time.

“What was that about?” It comes out gruffer than I mean it to, and I know I misread the play when she shoves one hand to her hip and scowls at me, whipping her low ponytail over her shoulder.

“I think what you meant to say wasthank you.”

She’s right. But I can’t form the words. Not yet, anyway. Not when I’m worried that she has some ulterior motive. I know she didn’t show up at my house to offer to help Kenna. Zoe didn’t even know about her until Kenna opened the door.

She sure didn’t bribe Dolores into getting my address so she could make me look good in front of my niece.

Though I’m pretty sure I just became middle school cool about an hour ago.

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