Page 80 of The Arrangement

My whole heart? Done.

Chapter 19

Chloe

“Mimi,” I say, smiling at the sound of her voice. “Hi, how are you?”

“Probably not as good as you are right about now.” Her laugh is mischievous. “How are things over there?”

I glance around the bedroom, my cheeks aching from smiling so much.

“It’s good, Meems. Really good.”

“I knew it would be. He has hands that?—”

“Can we … not?” I ask, giggling.

“We share everything! Don’t bail on me now.”

That’s true—I do share everything with my grandmother. I don’t know why it’s different this time, but it is.Very different.

“And I’ll share with you later,” I say, hoping it’ll satiate her need for knowledge. “But tell me about you. How do you like your new digs? How’s Mara? Are you two hitting it off?”

I’ve been worrying about her in the back of my mind, hoping she’s settling in well. Last night, she texted me to congratulate me on the wedding, and her spirits seemed high. Jason also swore that Mara had everything under control. Between the two of them, I’m a lot calmer about being away from her than I thought I might be.

Mimi sighs happily. I imagine her in the living room recliner, a blanket on her lap, and her head resting against a pillow. I imagine her smile stretching across her wrinkly skin.

“First things first, I adore Mara,” Mimi says. “We like the same kind of movies. She’s one hell of a cook. She made homemade chicken potpie last night. Can you believe that?”

I laugh. Mimi is easily won over by two things—handsome men and good food.

“This little place is so damn cute, Chloe. I have my own kitchen. Mara went to the store for me this morning, and I made my own oatmeal, then sat outside by the pool and enjoyed it with a cup of coffee.”

I smack my forehead. “Shit, Mimi. I brought my credit card with me. I left you there with no money.”

“Honey, wise up. Your new husband took care of it, just like he had an adjustable bed delivered this morning because Mara told him I was having trouble getting in and out.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and the bridge of my nose burns.This wonderful, over-the-top, thoughtful man. How did he even have time to talk to Mara, let alone arrange for a new bed for my grandmother?

Mimi breathes softly. “I don’t know what happened between the two of you, Chloe, but I know one thing—that boy is crazy about you. I hope you see that.”

I bite my lip, afraid the lump in my throat will cloud my voice if I try to speak.

Is he crazy about me?

My stomach flip-flops at the idea, but I don’t want to think about it too much. This is only for six months. There’s no use in getting my heart broken. I just need to enjoy what I have while I have it and not get greedy.

“Mara is supposed to be by this afternoon,” Mimi says. “She’s going to take me out in the golf cart looking for hot guys.”

I snort. It quickly dissolves into a fit of giggles. “Oh, Mimi.”

“What? I’m old, not dead, Chloe.”

“Well, good luck. I hope you find one.”

“Or two. Hell, let’s go out with a bang.”

I don’t know what to say to that, so I just laugh.