Page 83 of Just Another Silly Love Song

“Thank you. I appreciate that very much.”

Grandma Joyce gestured to Lori. “Unlike the charade my granddaughter has going on right now.”

“What are you talking about?” Lori asked. “What did I do?”

“Come on . . . you and Ben just happened to run into each other here of all places? You don’t even shop. And then you both just happened to have your gorgeous grandparents with you?” She gestured to my grandpa and then back to herself. “I don’t buy it. This is a setup. We’ve been played, Wayne.”

So much for thinking we could pull it off without a hitch.

Grandpa Wayne looked at me, scrunching his eyebrows together. “Is this true, Ben? Is this all a ploy to set me up with Lori’s extremely attractive grandmother?”

Wow.

My grandpa liked what he saw, and was apparently already going for it. Based on the way they were looking at each other, it didn’t look like they needed us at all. Still, I wasn’t going to confess one hundred percent since I had an accomplice. In fact, maybe it was time to have some fun and throw my partner under the bus.

I tried to keep a straight face. “This was all Lori’s idea.”

“What?” Lori yelled. “It was not!”

I laughed as half the people in the food court looked in our direction. “I’m kidding!”

Lori shook her head, trying to look upset, but she was smiling.

“I wouldn’t necessarily call it a setup. We just wanted you both to meet. Is there anything wrong with that?”

Grandma Joyce pointed to my face. “Just to meet? With no expectations or hopes that your grandfather and I become an item? When do you think I was born?”

I chuckled. “I’m guessing it wasn’t yesterday.”

“Nor the day before. I don’t need your help finding a man, thank you very much. I’m single and ready to mingle, but he has to be worth my time.” She glanced at Grandpa Wayne. “No offense.”

“None taken. I like your sass.” He grinned. “Especially since I would like to meet a woman who’s worthmytime.” He winked. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Grandma Joyce eyed my grandfather like she was considering giving him a test drive. “And truth be told, I like your pizazz.” They shared a look of mutual admiration and then Joyce pointed to the restaurants. “Okay, shenanigans aside, a person’s gotta eat, so I guess we should get this setup going.”

“I agree. I’m starving.” Grandpa Wayne winked at Joyce. “They’ve got just about everything here. What type of food do you fancy today?”

Grandma Joyce glanced around. “Kebabs. This feels like a kebab-kind-of day.”

“What a coincidence.” Grandpa Wayne grinned. “I was just telling my grandson that I couldreallygo for a kebab.”

I turned to him. “I thought you said you wanted to try the—”

“Kebabs!” He slapped me on the back. “Don’t just stand there—lead the way.”

Smooth, Grandpa. Really smooth.

Lori and I walked in front of my grandpa and her grandma, weaving in and out of the people.

“I can’t believe your grandma figured us out just like that,” I whispered.

Lori nodded. “She’s too smart for her own good.”

“They like each other though, based on first impressions.”

“No doubt about that. You’re a genius.” She held up a finger. “And, no, I’m not going to repeat that.”

I chuckled as the four of us arrived at the Kebab Grill counter and placed our orders. We grabbed our drinks, found an empty table, and sat to wait for our food. The conversation was light and generic while we waited, talking about the weather, the radio show, and traveling. After we got the food and started eating, Lori’s grandmother took control of the conversation.