Page 128 of Perfectly Grumpy

“I should’ve told you sooner about her. And not in themiddle of the reunion. That was not my finest moment. I just didn’t know how to tell you I was dating someone new. Because Patty isn’t a replacement for Mom. She never could be. Your mother will always be special to me, Lauren.Always.That never changes.”

I blink a few times, trying to hold back the tears as I pull a blanket onto my lap. “Then why does it feel like letting someone new in means letting Mom go?”

“Because love doesn’t replace. Itlayers.One memory over another. And I think your mom would’ve wanted me to be happy. Just like she would’ve wanted that for you.”

I nod, my fingers playing with the edge of the blanket, the tears slipping out. “I needed to hear you say this more than I realized.” I take a deep breath, wiping my face. “And, Dad, I’m sorry for how I acted about Patty at the reunion. You deserve happiness, and if she gives you that, then I’m happy for you both.”

“Oh, honey,” Dad says, his voice gentling. “I know how hard that was to say. But us talking like this—thisis what your mom would have wanted most. And it means more than you know to me.”

“I love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. And don’t wait to talk to Tate. Tell him how you feel, just like Mom would’ve told you to do.”

I can hear her delicate alto voice whispering it in my ear:Love is about choosing each other—even when the road splits.

When I hang up, I feel better than I have all day, but I also can’t wait any longer. The silence between us has gone on long enough. I need to find out if he’s leaving, to wrap my arms around him, to kiss him even if it rips me up inside. He deserves to know.Wedeserve to know.

I don’t even bother changing out of my pajamas. Tate’s seen the real me, and he’s the only person who’s never asked me to be anything else. I grab my keys from the counter and head for the door. He’s going to know that someone is fighting for us, even if I stumble over the words or it all comes out wrong. I’m not goingto spin this situation or pretend everything’s perfectly fine when it’s not. For once, I’m just going to speak from my heart.

I’m halfway to the door when there’s a sharp knock.

When I open it, Tate is on the other side. His face splits into a smile, and suddenly I can’t breathe.

Why is Tate Foster standing outside my door, looking like I’m the only thing that makes him complete?

“Hey, Sunny. I missed you,” he says, his voice low. His eyes slide over me, and his lips twitch. “Nice pajamas.”

I grip the door handle to steady myself, like I’m unraveling under his gaze. “What are you doing here?”

“I was in the neighborhood,” he says, like this is something normal people do—show up unannounced on a Monday afternoon. “Left practice a little early. Thought I’d break a few more rules.”

I swallow. “I was just about to come find you.”

“Were you?” His smile deepens, like this pleases him to know. We’re like two magnets, spinning and pulling toward each other until we snap together.

“Tate, we need to?—”

“Can it wait?” he interrupts gently. “I have something to show you first.”

There’s a little yip at his feet, and I suddenly realize Annie is sitting there, tail wagging like she’s been waiting for me all week.

I bend down to scratch around her ears, and she launches herself at me like I’m her favorite person in the world. “You brought Annie.”

I lift her into my arms, and she immediately covers my face with kisses.

“Of course I did. We both missed you.” I see his joy as he watches us together. “But I need you to get dressed first. You won’t want to wear pajamas for this.”

“But I thought Annie staying with you was temporary?”

“Like how you keep thinking I’m going to walk away? Sunny, I thought you knew me better by now.”

“But don’t you want to hear about Kansas City?” I try again. “And what about your news?”

“Later,” he says, stepping back like he’s ready to leave, his smile mysterious. “Trust me, this is more important.”

“Tate Foster, what are you up to?”

He stops on the steps, flashing those dimples that can convince me to do anything. “I can’t tell you, or it’ll spoil it. But I promise you, Sunny—it will be worth it.”

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