Page 156 of Trust Me Always

She looks back, her expression soft. “Those are gardenias.”

The sentiment in her voice isn’t missed. “Are they your favorite?”

She nods. “Same ones my husband used to bring me every other Friday when he’d pick up his check. This is the first bunch I’ve gotten since Frankie passed. I about broke down when the deliveryman said they were for me.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“As was the gesture.” Her eyes gloss over, and she looks to the photo on her desk. “Unnecessary but appreciated more than words can say. I’m surprised with how long they lasted. That little feed packet sure did make a difference.”

“When did you buy them?” I wonder, bending slightly to see what they smell like. There’s a hint of spiciness I didn’t expect but not at all unpleasant.

When she doesn’t answer, I look over at her and find her staring at me with her head tipped slightly.

“Huh,” she says, then turns back to her task.

I smile as I hop down. Old women are so funny with their secret thoughts. Grabbing my bag from under the counter, I take my jacket off the hook and tug it on.

“Okay, well, I’m out of here. Have a nice Thanksgiving, Granny Grace.”

“You too, honey.”

I go to walk out, but as I pass her desk, I pause, taking a few backward steps, my eyes going to the photo.

Granny Grace is in her prime, maybe thirty years old with her handsome husband beside her as they lean against his old Chevy pickup, a bouquet of pink and white gardenias in her hands.

My heart does a little jump, and I yank my head around so I can look at the older woman, finding she’s watching me.

She smiles but says nothing, whistling as she gets back to work.

With one last wave, I leave the center and make the walk back to my dorm.

As I come up the small hill, I find the guys are already pulled against the curb, my bag hanging from Brady’s hands. He steps up to Mason’s Tahoe and puts it in the back, taking Ari’s from Chase and stacking it on top.

They turn toward each other and start talking. I’m almost to them when another car pulls up behind the two already parked there. Their teammates file out, shoving and laughing, all ready for a little break from campus.

Ari and Paige come out of the dorm doors and spot me, walking over.

“Hey!” Ari beams. “I don’t know if you want to run up and make sure you didn’t forget anything, but we grabbed both of the bags you put by the door.”

I nod, glancing over at the line of vehicles.

“Mase and Payton are on their way here in Payton’s car, and Brady’s driving the Tahoe with all of us. The others are split between the pickups, because one of the guys works at the pizza place part-time and couldn’t get his Saturday shift covered.”

“Sounds good.”

“Hey.”

We turn toward the guys.

“We’re ready to pile in when you are,” Brady tells us, but he’s looking at me. “I gave the others the address, so we don’t have to worry about following each other the whole way. They’re taking off now to hit the gas station.”

“Perfect.” Ari nods. “Well, let’s get ready so we can just roll out when Mase gets here. I want to be there before Noah.”

“Cool.” He nods, and Chase elbows him in the ribs, widening his eyes at his friend. Brady looks back to me then, and after a moment, a sigh leaves him.

“What?” I ask.

He sighs again. “We’re not the only ones who are going to be at the beach house this weekend.”

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