Page 93 of The Dangers of Daydreaming

“Quiet is better than hanging up.”

She pierced me with a look. “Lucy clearly cares for you. Just because she didn’t tell your drugged self that she loved you back doesn’t mean she’s not halfway there already.”

I nodded. The empty feeling growing in my chest was stupid. We had been dating for basically a week. I couldn’t expect her to be in love with me yet.

But unfortunately, my subconscious hadn’t really been jumping the gun, because despite how short the time was… I was in deep. Love-level deep.

Gram was watching me, and slowly she set her purse back down, coming to sit on the side of my bed. “What are your plans, Finn?”

I gestured around the room. “Doesn’t matter much now. They’ve been a bit derailed.”

She shook her head. “Wrong answer.”

I sighed. “I planned…” Well, crap, to share this meant coming clean about more than just my feelings about Lucy. I met her eyes. “I’ve got something to tell you and Pops.” I rushed into it before I could lose my nerve. “I never got my degree.”

The lines around her eyes became more pronounced. “Yes, you did.”

I shook my head. “No, I didn’t. I failed one class after missing the end-of-term project and the final test.”

“One class?”

I nodded. “Stupid, I know.”

She smacked my leg. The good one—she wasn’t that mean. “What’s stupid is that you let it stop there. Finn— It’s been more than two years. You missed out onyour degree by a single class, and you haven’t done anything until now?”

I winced. “Yeah. I know.”

“And you let us believe you’d graduated.”

“Yeah. I’m so sorry.”

Her face softened. “What happened?”

I set my jaw. “Dad.”

Understanding lit her eyes. “I see. Well, then I’ll ask again… what are your plans?”

I didn’t really think I was getting off that easily. Likely, the real Gram would return once Pops and I were feeling better—really, falling off a roof was probably the best way to get off easy on this little issue.

“My plan was to help you and Pops get going on selling the farm and then go finish school. Then… apply for med school. Maybe in Utah.”

Her brows lifted. “So, you do love her?”

I nodded. “I love her. And I didn’t even need pain meds to admit it. I… I keep telling myself it’s crazy, but I also know this more than I’ve known anything in a long time. I’m in love with her.”

Her thin mouth lifted in a smile, and she grabbed my hand in her papery one. “Good. I like her.”

I grinned. “I know.”

A nurse came in then. “Time for a vital check, Mr. Harrison.” While I was confessing things, I may as well bring Pops into the loop. I stuck my arm out for the blood pressure cuff and turned on my best puppy dog face.

“Any chance of a wheelchair to my grandpa’s room?” I asked.

She pursed her lips, but couldn’t hide the smile. The entire hospital was entertained by the fact that I’d landed myself on the same floor as my grandpa. “Your doctor actually did approve that if your vitals look good.” She removed the cuff, took my temp, and checked my lungs. “Which they do.”

I gave a littlefist pump.

“When would you like to go?” She draped her stethoscope back around her neck.

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