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Senior Acres is a retirement home I volunteer at when I have the chance, which unfortunately hasn’t been much lately.

“You should tell Marjorie you volunteer there.” My mom points her fork at me as she speaks. “What girl wouldn’t swoon over that?”

“I’m in high school. Plenty of girls wouldn’t swoon over it.”

“The ones who are worth it would.” She winks at me then goes back to eating.

The next day, I wake up early enough to have an hour at Senior Acres before going to school. After signing in, I head directly for the cafeteria because I know that’s where most residents will be at this time.

I frown when I see my favorite resident sitting at a table by herself. I’ve told her approximately one million times that she needs to be more social, but she refuses ever since her husband died a year ago.

“Hi, grandma,” I say as I take a seat at the table with her.

“You need to stop calling me that or you’re going to make the others jealous.” She’s trying her best to stay serious as she lectures me, but a smile still comes to her face.

“You love it. Don’t deny it.”

“You’re right. I do. Are you hungry? I can add it to my tab.”

I laugh because I know that she doesn’t actually have a tab. Every resident can have a guest for one meal a day. Plus, since I’m a volunteer, I don’t actually count. “I ate before I came, but thank you. Have you read anything good lately?”

Grandma reaches into her purse and pulls out the latest Emily Giffin book. “Another winner. She’s a gem.”

“I’ll have to check it out.” I mean it. I’ve enjoyed every book suggestion Grandma has given me.

She slides the book across the table and winks. “Take it.”

“You need to stop doing this or you’re going to make the other volunteers jealous.”

“What other volunteers? You’re the only one who comes consistently.” She waves her hand. “That’s nothing to concern yourself with though. Do you have any suggestions for me?”

I shake my head. “The only books I’ve read lately were for school.” That’s a lie. I’ve been devouring sapphic romance books lately, but I don’t dare say that to Grandma. God knows how she would react if she knew I was gay.

“That’s too bad. Reading for pleasure is important, you know.”

I hold up the book she just gave me. “I’ll read this right away. Don’t worry.”

Just like that, all of my worries are pushed to the side, and I feel happy again. I hope that whatever Marjorie is doing right now, she’s happy too.

Chapter 8

Marjorie

“Thank you so much for suggesting breakfast.” I can’t stop the wide smile that comes to my face as I get into Felicity’s car. “And coming inside to get me? Such a gentlewoman.”

“I think your brother would disagree.” Felicity laughs and it fills the whole car with her positive energy. “He didn’t seem too happy when he came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and found me standing there.” She reaches across the center console and takes my hand in hers. “Thanks for telling him that we’re busy working on a big chemistry project. It’s not that I’m ashamed of this… us. I’m just…”

“Not ready,” I finish for her. “I get it.”

I’m fine with where we’re at. The last thing I want is to rush into something, especially when I wasn’t planning to get into a relationship this year. We haven’t kissed since that quick one in my room, and that kind of sucks, but I’m not going to push anything. This is all new for Felicity. She doesn’t need added pressure from me to make it even harder.

“So, where are we going?” I ask in order to change the subject from our not-so-little secret.

“I thought we could pick up Starbucks and just park somewhere and eat it.”

“Yeah. Of… of course.” I guess we’ll never be able to escape the fact that we’re sneaking around.

Felicity removes her hand from mine and puts it on my thigh, running her fingers along it in a way that has my body going into overdrive. “I’ll make it worth your while. I promise.”