Page 60 of Summer Kisses

"We'll have music, dancing, food, and drink. This little party game. I think that's enough." Then Grandma paused. "Oh, I almost forgot. I hired a professional photographer to take pictures of you two before the party. I thought it would be nice to have them."

"That's generous of you," I said as I secretly wondered how we'd get through the party.

"Nothing is too much for my only granddaughter."

I was her only living relative at this point. I was all she had. I wouldn't do anything to ruin her night. I wish we had more to give her, like a bridal shower or even a wedding. But this wasn'treal. At some point, I'd have to let her know that we'd broken up. I hated to do it, but it was the plan all along.

We worked with music playing in the background. Eventually, I led Grandma inside because she was getting tired.

"Are you happy with the party?"

I smiled at her. "The question is, are you happy?"

"This party is for you and Brady."

I smiled. "Yeah, but you're getting just as much out of it."

"You two are building a life together. Enjoy this time before kids. When it's just the two of you, it's a special experience."

She must have been feeling nostalgic. "It's too bad Grandpa isn't here to see it."

"He'd be so proud of you. You have everything you ever wanted."

I smiled softly. "I want kids one day too."

"And you will have them. Brady will make a great father. It's too bad Dalton is having so much trouble with the mother of his. But you and Brady will be a team, working together to build your future. I can't tell you how important that is."

I felt a pang in my chest because all of this was a lie. But was it? What I felt for Brady was real. We had chemistry and friendship. Relationships had been built on less. Could we make a go of it? Would he even want to?

I needed to get through the engagement party. Then everything would fall into place. I'd have time to talk to Brady about where we stood. Before it was too late.

Grandma inclined her head toward the porch where Brady was helping Kinsley's daughter hang a lantern on the ceiling. "He's a good man."

"He is."

"I'm so happy for you. My heart is close to bursting."

Grandma could be dramatic, and she loved to gossip with her friends at the senior center, but I felt like her words weregenuine. She wanted me to be happy. This party wasn't so she could show off to her friends.

I let out a breath. Everything I'd ever wanted was coming true: the relationship, the beach house, and my job.

"You'd better get back out there. The lanterns won't assemble themselves."

"Do you need anything?" I asked her, wanting to check in with her first.

"I'm going to go to bed soon. All this planning is exhausting."

"All right. Just holler if you need anything." I returned to the porch where the music was playing louder and some of the girls were dancing.

Everyone seemed to be having fun. It was nice that my friends had come out to support me, but I still felt a little guilty for lying to them about my relationship with Brady.

The thing was, I did feel things for him. This wasn't a friends-with-benefits situation where I could protect my heart. I was all in.

As the night went on, people said their goodbyes until it was just me and Brady. Grandma had long since gone to bed.

"What are we going to do about the game Grandma is planning?" I asked Brady.

"I guess we’re going to have to quiz each other."

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