“Of course you do. You’ve been spending a lot of time with her and doing her yard every week.”

He sighed inwardly and placed his fork on the plate. “Nana, I’m helping her out just like I’m doing with you. I think she has the same company.” As far as spending time with her, any number of words came to mind—enjoyment, complicated, amazing, scary, confusing. His feelings were so muddled, some days he didn’t know if he was coming or going. Serenity could make him lose control in the blink of an eye, something he’d never had an issue with before. In fact, he prided himself on his ironclad will and the ability to keep his emotions on lockdown.

“Driving off with her and suitcases in your car and walking through town to the ice cream shop don’t have anything to do with helping her out. I may be old, but I’m not blind.”

Obviously, Adele was back at her job. “I like her. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Nana chuckled. “Was that so hard to say? Goodness, you act like there’s something wrong with you dating Serenity. She’s a wonderful girl.”

“It’s nothing serious.” Gabriel cut a piece of ham and ate it. And he didn’t plan to be around long enough for it to progress to that level. He thought about asking his grandmother about moving again but nixed the idea. After their last conversation, he assumed it would be a waste of time. He had yet to figure out what to do. Traveling back and forth could be an option, but it would also be expensive. And depleting his bank account wasn’t on his list of things to do.

“Why not? You aren’t getting any younger. Forty is just around the corner.”

“Thirty-six is not that close to forty,” he said, shaking his head and picking up his glass of lemonade.

“It is if you plan on getting married and having a few babies.”

He choked on the drink, sputtering and coughing. Marriage? Babies? He struggled to draw in a breath. “You’re getting way ahead of yourself, Nana,” Gabriel croaked, trying to clear his throat. “I’m planning to go back to Atlanta soon, and Serenity will be here, so…” He let the sentence hang. She scrutinized him for a lengthy minute, making him squirm in his seat, but he didn’t comment. They continued eating, and as soon as the plates were clean, she opened her mouth to say something else. When his phone buzzed, Gabriel sent up a silent thank-you and rushed to answer it. Until he saw his sister’s name on the display.

“Are you going to answer it or not?” Nana asked, glaring at him.

“Hey, Drea. How’s it going?”