Page 26 of The Forever After Bet

I nod and hug her back just as tight. “We’ll get through this together. Come on, I’ve got to get back before Leah freaks out, if she’s not already.

It’s snowing when I get done with cheer practice in big, fluffy flakes. Hopefully I’m not here to long, I don’t want to drive on the snowy roads after dark. Ford’s grandma gave me detailed instructions on how to get to her house. They’re so good I don’t even need to put her address into the GPS. She’s even specific about where I should park. Her text message said to pull around to the front of the house and park under the carport.

This house is amazing. It’s huge. I’m almost positive it’s the old clubhouse for the Canyon Lake country club. They redid the golf course about twelve years ago and built a new clubhouse across the lake on the other side of the canyon.

I’ve tried to talk myself out of coming all day, but I couldn’t think of a good enough reason. Things were about the same with Ford and me today. Instead of mouthing hi, I said it out loud, then I got self-conscious and turned around in my seat. I don’t know how to get past where we are.

I take a breath and knock on the door. I’ll thank her for giving the ring to Ford and then tell her I need to leave. I don’t think I can talk about what happened that awful Friday night. I’ve shoved it so deep down that if I try dragging it up, I will end up sick in bed for a week.

“Hannah, I’m so glad you made it. Please come in.” Mrs. Evans opens the door wide, holding out her hand.

“Thanks,” I say and walk in.

She has a gorgeous home. Where Ford’s house is white and sleek, his grandparent’s home has a more natural and homey feeling.

“Would you like something to drink? I just finished making chocolate chip cookies. Would you like one?”

I shake my head. “No, thank you, but they smell amazing.”

“Ford has a lot of favorite cookies, but these are the ones he always asks me to make him.” Mrs. Evans smiles.

“He does love his cookies.” I laugh.

“Please sit down,” she says, gesturing for me to sit on the sofa.

“Thanks,” I say, feeling nervous. I clasp my hands together so that I won’t fidget.

Mrs. Evans sits down next to me, patting my knee. “Thank you for coming. I know it’s an odd request from someone you don’t know.”

“It’s okay. I feel like I know you. Ford always talks fondly of you and your husband. He said he used to spend summers here when he was a kid.”

“He did. We have a lot of wonderful memories.” Mrs. Evans looks around the house like she’s remembering all the good times.

We sit in somewhat comfortable silence for several seconds. I’m unsure what I should say or how to start a conversation without looking like an idiot.

Ford’s grandmother breaks the silence first. “How are you doing since everything happened with Lily and Mitch finding out about your elopement?”

“Oh.” How am I doing? I struggle every day to get out of bed. Putting food in my mouth is almost painful, and the effort to chew and swallow exhausts me. I feel like half a person. I miss Ford more and more every day, not less. “I’m doing okay. I’m not going to lie. It’s been hard. Sometimes I feel like I did the wrong thing.” I try to smile, but it’s hard when it’s not genuine.

Ford’s grandma nods, patting my hand. I don’t think she believes me. For some reason, I find that comforting.

“Have you and Ford talked about things?” she asks.

I shake my head no. It’s like we’re two ships that pass each other at night during a storm. I’m not sure we’ll ever find each other again.

“That’s exactly what Ford said.” Mrs. Evans sighs.

“Mrs.—”

“I thought we had agreed you’d call me Gigi,” she says, interrupting me.

“Oh yeah, sorry. Gigi, I wanted to say thank you for giving Ford your engagement ring to give to me. It’s absolutely beautiful….” I trail off, unable to finish my sentence.

“It was my pleasure. It’s still yours if you want it.”

I understand what she means—I think. I shake my head. “I can’t. I ruined everything. I ruined us.”

“Is that what Ford said?”

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