“If you really like her, you’re going to have to be patient with her, but also let her know how you feel. She probably feels very confused right now and distrusting of men in general, and I really don’t blame her.”
“You’re right. She’s scared. I can see it when I talk to her.”
“I’m sure she is. And the age thing, for her, it probably seems like a big deal. I would guess that she feels much older than she actually is. You’re mature for your age, and eventually, she’ll see that, but it’s going to take some time.”
“So what do I do? I kissed her last night, and it was off the charts. I know she felt it, too, but she keeps putting walls up.”
“I’m not sure, love. I think you’re going to just have to give her time. Let her know that you’re willing to wait for her. Are you?”
“Hell, yeah. I’ll wait. I don’t want to, obviously. But for her, yeah . . . I’ll wait.
She puts her small hand on my arm. “She needs to feel like you could be something stable for her. Her husband just shattered her world, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, she was blindsided. For real.”
“Then you have to gain her trust. She has to find out what a wonderful man you are. And you really are, Lukas. You’re a gentleman. She doesn’t know it right now, but soon she will, and she will be very lucky to have you in her life.”
I don’t mind giving Ivy time to figure out that I’m not gonna hurt her, but damn, I want her. Now.
Gram squeezes my arm softly to get my attention. “And what about the children? Are you ready to be involved with a woman who has two children? That’s a lot of responsibility, and it won’t be easy. She’s not going to be able to just get up and go on a whim, or hang out all night at concerts with you. Have you thought about all of that?”
I roll my head back and forth against the couch. “Well . . . sorta, but maybe not in that much detail. I love kids. I have no problem with her having children. I haven’t even told her I play in the band sometimes.”
She smacks my arm. “Lukas! You have to tell her. No secrets, all right? When will you boys learn? I tell you all over and over. No lies. No secrets. Why is it so hard?” She shakes her head in exasperation.
Laughing, I give in, knowing she’s right. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell her. I’m going to ask her to come to the next show with me. Maybe she’ll actually say yes.”
“You have to bring her here when you get this sorted. I want to meet her.”
“Definitely. I could love this chick, Gram. I can feel it. She’s the one.”
A huge smile spreads across her face, and her eyes sparkle. “You are such a romantic, Lukas. You’re just like your grandfather. You remind me so much of him when he was your age.”
I straighten up and turn fully toward her, interested to hear more about my grandfather. “Really? What was he like?”
She literally glows as she gazes at his photograph on the wall. “He was a very special man. Smart. Generous. Good looking. Everybody loved him.”
“I wish I could have met him.”