Page 30 of Perfectly Grumpy

“A few dates hardly qualifies as serious,” I say, looking away from my sister and steering the subject away from my fictional relationship. “And if you know anyone looking for a puppy, I can hook them up.”

Olivia snorts before taking a sip. “Idefinitelydo not need apuppy. My kids are already a full-time job. You, on the other hand…” She turns to me with a knowing smirk. “First a boyfriend, now maybe a dog? Look at you, finally settling down.”

“Oh no,” I warn. “I don’t have time for a puppy. I have hockey players to manage. Almost like kids, but their mistakes are a lot more costly.”

She leans back into the couch. “I want to know more about Tate. I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me right away.”

I shift in my seat. It was only a little story to get her to stop asking me about my dating life. But now it feels like it’s turned into something bigger.

“He’s the private type. Doesn’t talk about his personal life much.”

“Does this mean you’ll stop the NHL job search?”

“Wait a minute,” I say. “Are we actually planning this reunion, or did you just come here to drill me about my dating life?”

“Fine. But at some point, I want the dirt on this guy.” Olivia pulls out two notebooks from her bag, along with four different colored pens. She passes one notebook to me. “I put together a schedule for each day of the family reunion. I wanted you to look it over before I send it to everyone.”

She hands me a color-coordinated itinerary. Kids’ events are in blue, adult activities are in green, and mixed-family events are in purple.

“This all looks good,” I say. “You don’t even need my help.”

“Oh, I need you, Lauren,” Olivia says. “Because there is no way I’m getting stuck playing activities director for the week.”

“I’ll help pass out the schedule when people arrive. But I’mnotstaying the whole time. Not with Bart there. One day. That’s it.”

She flips through her notebook. “Has Dad been in touch with you?” she asks.

“Not recently. Why?”

She hesitates, then looks back down at her notebook.

“Is there something I need to know about Dad?” I ask.

“He’s just struggling more than he lets on. I think he’s lonely. And I can’t be his only emotional support. He misses you.”

I study her. “You know why this is hard for me.”

“I do.” Olivia sets her notebooks aside and looks at me directly, but gently. “I get why you don’t want to come. But I think you might regret not being there for Dad when he needs both his daughters.” She tilts her head. “And I think part of you knows that.”

I sigh. “I want to be there for Dad, I really do. But the thought of an entire week of being interrogated about my love life while watching our cousin parade around with Bart and missing Mom the whole time…” I shake my head. “It’s just a lot.”

She shifts toward me. “So bring Tate.”

I blink. “What?”

“I’m serious,” she says. “Bring him. You won’t be alone. You can shut down the nosy questions. And let’s be honest, Granny might finally stop asking when you’re getting married.”

“Nothingstops Granny from asking when I’m getting married,” I say. “And I’m not dragging Tate to our reunion. We’ve had, like…one and a half dates. And he goes back home to California soon.”

“So ask him to stay a little longer.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because we work together,” I say. “What would I tell everyone? ‘Oh hey, this is just a guy I’m sort of seeing. Also, I’m technically his boss.’ It’s unprofessional.”

Olivia waves this off. “It’s not illegal. Besides, you already let everyone assume you were dating.”

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