“Who all lectured you?”
“The tattoo artist, Mark, Mom, Tammy, you name it. They all knew I was gonna go through with it, though.”
“You don’t have to prove your dedication to me. I know you’re staying.”
“I’m not proving anything. I wanted this. And when Sammy gets old enough to write his name, I’ll get his too.”
“You are . . . something else.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
She laughed, but her eyes were wet. Grace didn’t openly cry ever since her baby blues resolved, so seeing her wipe at her eyes meant she was feeling a lot about this.
“Do you like it?”
“Like it? You know this is the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen, right?”
“I try.”
“And to think, all I got you for our anniversary was flowers.” She blew out a breath. “I need to up my game.”
“Oh no, Mama.” I pulled her close. “Trust me. You’ve given me everything I could possibly need.”
And it was true. I’d lived my entire life thinking I would always get shallow evenings where I’d inevitably end up alone.
But now life was fuller than I could ever imagine.
I wouldn’t take it any other way.
I had milk in one hand and a latte in the other. Sammy was being carried to the table by Grace as I waved to Theo and Kelsey.
“Excuse us,” Grace said to the woman behind us. Shejumped out of the way before I could see her, but then I paused. I’d seen that bright blonde hair and reaction to other people before. I knew her.
She must have seen me at the same time because her eyes widened. “Hey, you’re that guy.”
“You know each other?” Grace asked. Her voice wasn’t harsh in any way. I was sure both the tattoo and the fact that I was obsessed with her had proven that I wasn’t going anywhere. There had been a few times when my past had been brought up, but she took it well each time.
The woman looked at Grace and then at me. “Oh, um. Yeah. We met once. But don’t worry. Absolutely nothing happened.”
“It’s okay,” Grace said. “I’m not the jealous type when it comes to him.”
“It was after I met you, so of course nothing happened.” I turned back to the woman. “Your name was ... Piper, right?”
“Yeah. And you’re Dean. You told me aboutRenovating with Love.”
“I did. Are you seeing the town it took place in?”
“I’m ... trying something new. I moved in upstairs a few days ago.”
“You got the apartment?” Grace asked. “I was wondering when someone would move in. Welcome to the town.”
She held out her hand and Piper looked a little like a kicked puppy. “I’m sorry, I ...”
“Don’t worry about it.” She picked up on Piper’s discomfort immediately. “It’s just great to meet you. If you need anything, I’m Grace.”
“Piper.”
“Enjoy the coffee,” I said. “It’s the best in town.”