Page 147 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘I do.’ Gran looks nervous for a second. ‘Actually, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about. I know we’re due to head home next week, but I wondered how you’d feel about extending our stay?’

‘Extending it?’ I ask, bemused.

She lifts her hip, revealing a manilla envelope that she’s been sitting on top of, and hands it to me.

I read the papers inside, then I stop and read them again slowly.

‘What’s an EB-5 visa?’ I ask, my heart thumping.

‘Basically, it’s a way that people from the UK with plenty of money to throw at the problem can retire to the United States.’ Gran examines her fingernails.

‘But this is an application form,’ I point out. My voice sounds very far away.

‘Yes,’ she agrees.

‘Oh my god,’ I whisper.

‘It’s not a done deal,’ Gran warns. ‘It’ll be a while before we can get it all sorted. And before you start getting too excited, it’s not exactly the solution you’re hoping it might be.’ She holds her hand up as if to stop me getting ahead of myself. ‘I think Roseport is charming, but I’m not sure it’s very me. Not at the moment anyway. Jack and I had a long conversation about it, and if everything goes according to plan, I’m going to split my time between here and California.’

‘California,’ I murmur, trying to take it in.

Gran’s smile is slow and full of mischief. ‘I think I’d enjoy Los Angeles, and of course, there are other attractions to visit nearby.’

The penny drops. ‘Vegas?’ I say with a laugh. ‘Frankie doesn’t waste any time.’

‘Darling, we don’t have the time to waste,’ Gran chuckles. ‘And you know my British beaus have been such a disappointment lately. I think it’s time to broaden my horizons.’ Her expression becomes thoughtful. ‘But I hope you won’t be upset about my decision not to live here full time. We’ll still see plenty of each other, and who knows how things will work out later on, but for now this feels… right. And I promise that I’ll try and take better care of myself. Jack says I won’t have a choice in LA because he’s hiring Cynthie’s personal trainer to torment me and I’ll be drowning in wheatgrass.’ She wrinkles her nose. ‘It was one of the few downsides.’

‘And you’re really happy about this?’ I ask cautiously.

‘Absolutely,’ she nods. ‘A new adventure for me, near all of my grandchildren. I think it’s just what I’ve been looking for.’

‘So… I can stay.’ I say the words out loud and they sound dazed.

‘You can stay,’ Gran agrees. ‘If that’s what you want.’

In response I fling myself at her, making a strange sound that is somewhere between laughing and crying. ‘I can’t believe you’d do this for me.’

Gran’s arms close around me, a rare and wonderful hug. ‘For both of us, my precious girl. Now stop crying or you’ll ruin your makeup.’ She whips out a handkerchief and starts dabbing at my eyes.

‘I’m so happy, I don’t even know what to do with myself,’ I admit.

‘Well, you look beautiful, and I know what will finish your outfit off perfectly,’ Gran says, reaching for her purse. ‘I accidentally packed these, but they don’t go with my dress, no idea what I was thinking.’

She holds out a beautiful pair of sapphire earrings, a dazzling flash of blue.

‘Wow. Are you sure?’ I ask.

She nods. ‘They’re the same colour as your eyes.’

‘As your eyes,’ I laugh.

‘Must be why your grandfather bought them for me,’ she agrees, digging through her purse again so I can’t catch her expression. ‘Now, we’d better go. The others will be waiting for us. I think I heard Bud arrive.’

With that, we join the others and bundle into the cars, talking and laughing, and make the short drive to the inn. There are lots of cars in the car park, but everyone must already be inside.

‘Are we late?’ I ask.

Tara smiles. ‘I think we’re right on time. Nothing like making an entrance. Let me take your coat for you.’