Chapter 1
It’s just a quick dinner and then you can get back to grading those papers and take the whole break to binge a show or six, Grace told herself. She didn’t want to go to dinner but knew better than to say no to her Grandma or her friends.
If there wasn’t a really good reason for bailing on plans they made (even when they made it without telling you) you had to go. Unfortunately for her, I’m tired wasn’t a good enough reason, especially when they were already concerned about her missing out on her youth and not dating.
She didn’t want to date. She was tired of looking for a prince among frogs. They were all frogs recently, and she absolutely did not want to go out with another one.
“Oh, good, you’re here,” her grandma said as she approached with a smile.
“You could have taken a seat. I told you I was coming.”
“I just wanted to be sure. Come along, there’s someone I want you to meet.” She took Grace’s hand and started pulling her further into the diner.
“Grandma, I—” she was startled when she saw a strange man at the table with her friend’s husband. Was her grandma trying to set her up again?
“Hi Grace,” Mike waved at her. “Out for dinner with one of my favorite ladies?”
Her grandma stopped pulling on her long enough to blush. “You do know how to flirt.”
“It’s what I’m best at,” he flashed her a charming grin. “Have you met Caleb?”
“I have not.” Grandma turned to look the man up and down appreciatively.
Grace blushed all the way to her toes. “Grandma,” she whispered scoldingly.
“What? I’m old, so I can appreciate a fine man when I see one. I’m qualified to decide if they’re fine due to my years of experience.”
She went even redder.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” The new man, Caleb, smiled at Grandma and then at her. “Nice to meet you as well.”
“You too,” Grace managed.
“Caleb is staying at Daniel’s old place that Macy was renting while he’s in town. He just got out of the Army.”
“Well, the town will always be glad to have another handsome man around to look at.” Grandma did her best to flirt. “Are you single?”
If she hadn’t still been looking at the handsome face and sharp jaw, she wouldn’t have noticed the little tick in the muscle before he answered. “I am.”
“Well, that’s interesting indeed. Mike, you keep him around and we’ll make sure he finds a reason to stay.” Grandma winked at them.
The entire table laughed, all four men grinning. Grace tried to melt into the floor.
“Well, we need to get to our own dinner. You tell the ladies to come by soon.” She waved as she pulled Grace away from the table.
They made it only to the next table when they stopped again. Grace looked at the man sitting there and waited to see what Grandma was up to.
“Grace, this is Ben. Ben, this is my granddaughter Grace I was telling you about.”
Shoot, shoot, shoot. This was a setup. Every alarm bell in her head went off.
“Grandma—”
“Have a seat, dear. I just wanted to do the introductions. I’ll be at my usual table.” She practically shoved Grace into the booth, her back now to the men she was just chatting with and facing the new guy.
“Uh, hi.” She gave a half smile and hoped this was as awkward for him as it was for her. She was wrong.
“Your grandmother said you were looking for someone to settle down with?” Ben immediately said.
There was a snort from behind her.
“I, umm…” she didn’t know what to say.
“Speak up. It’s loud in this place. Definitely not my first choice of places to meet people.” His tone was as snobby as his words.
“The food here is great,” Grace told him. “Actually, maybe we should go ahead and order; sometimes the food can take a while when it’s busy.”
“They should be better prepared then. But I already ordered for both of us, no problem.” He ran a hand over his slick hair and smiled like he’d done her a favor.
“Oh, umm--”
“I know what women like to eat,” he explained.
Then why did he need her Grandma to set him up on a date? She decided to just grin and bear it and hope that he ordered a burger and fries. The only way out of this date was going to be through it. Then she’d fuss at her grandma.
Their server arrived with their plates and set a salad down in front of Macy. She mouthed “sorry” as she did. Then, set a steak down in front of Ben.
“Actually.” Grace stopped their server from walking off. “Can I get a side of fries and some ketchup, please?”
“Sure thing.” She smiled and walked away.
“Carbs aren’t usually a good idea.” Ben proceeded to cut into his steak.
“I’m not on a diet or worried about my carb intake.” She jabbed the salad with her fork.
“Most women like to make sure they don’t ever have anything to worry about. I’d recommend less grease and carbs to help you keep your figure.”
Now there was definitely a snort behind her. She clutched her fork and told herself she didn’t look good in orange as she debated stabbing both men.
“My mother says that women have to work hard to keep themselves ready for their husbands. I just thought you would be doing the same,” Ben prattled on.
“Interesting. I never said I was looking to get married.”
“Your Grandmother told Mother that you were, and that’s how we ended up here. Mother says it’s past time that I start looking to settle down and start a family. I suppose she’s right.” He paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. “You can have kids, right? Have you had all that checked out?”
Grace gaped. Who asked someone they just met that? And why?
“Benjamin,” a lady called out.
He waved and slid out of the booth to greet her. “Mother, this is her. Grace, this is Mother.”
Could it get any worse? “Hello,” Grace managed. Her fries had better arrive soon, or she’d have to leave without them.
“Stand up, girl. Let me get a look at you.”
Her jaw fell open. There was absolutely no way she was getting out of the booth to let this woman look her over.
“Here are those fries, Grace.” The server set them down and escaped to watch from a better distance.
Grace took a fry and dipped it in the ketchup, ignoring the man and woman in front of her.