She rolled her eyes at Aiden while her grandmother lectured her on what a great catch she was letting off the hook. Sophie bore with her for what seemed like a long time but was probably only a few minutes.

“Listen, Granny,” she said when the woman paused to take a breath. “I’m kind of in the middle of something, so I’m going to let you go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“He’s there right now, isn’t he? Put him on the phone.”

“What? No, I’m not going to—”

“Put him on the phone!”

Apparently she’d said this loudly enough for Aiden to hear. He reached for the phone.

Sophie gave him an apologetic look as she handed it over.

“Hi, Granny May. How are you?”

Sophie wished she could hear what her grandmother was saying. All she knew what that the woman wasn’t giving Aiden a chance to say much.

He gave Sophie a reassuring smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

Her grandmother must’ve launched into another lecture because he was quiet for a while. Sophie hoped the woman wasn’t being mean. She could be blunt to the point of rudeness. But once her grandma got to know Aiden again, she’d forgive him. She’d already softened a little after finding out Aiden hadn’t known about her father leaving her. At least Sophie thought she had. The way she was responding now made her wonder.

“Yes, ma’am,” Aiden said again.

The server came and refilled their water, then gathered their empty plates. “I’ll be right back with the bill.”

Sophie watched Aiden’s face for some sign of what her grandmother was saying, but his face was a blank slate. He wasn’t smiling anymore, however. Or making eye contact. She didn’t feel good about this and wished she hadn’t handed him the phone at all.

“I will,” he finally said into the phone. “All right. Here she is.”

Sophie took the phone. “I hope you were nice to him.”

“I was truthful.”

Sophie winced, knowing well what that could mean. She watched Aiden, but the server had brought the bill, and he was reaching for his wallet.

“I’ll let you get on with your evening,” Granny said. “Jenna’s driving me over for your grand opening, so I’ll see you Tuesday.”

Sophie was eager to talk to Aiden so she wrapped up the conversation and disconnected the call. “What did she say to you? Was she mean?”

He gave Sophie a mirthless smile. “She was fine. Just needed to have her say.”

Sophie wished he’d be a little more forthcoming. “I’m sorry if she was rude. You know Granny May. She’s never been one to hold back. But she’ll get past it eventually.”

He squeezed her hand, his smile warming. “It’s fine. She loves you and wants the best for you. I can’t fault her for that.”