a glass, she asked, “What did your mom say when you spoke to her? You told her about this, too, right?”
“I did but she just brushed me off. Told me Charlie was just being Charlie and to stop being so sensitive.” Lex went back to preparing the manicotti. “She’s already told me a dozen times how much she wanted Jackson as a son-in-law, and every time she says it, it’s like a little piece of me dies.” Her eyes welled with tears again. “I don’t think I can take staying there one more day. Not with Charlie in the house. If it was just Mom, then I think we could maybe work something out, but she chooses him every single time and I—”
“It’s okay, Lex. You can have the guest room. It’s all yours.”
The tension drained out of Lex’s jaw, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. “I can pay rent. I’m still working part time over at Earthly Spirits Deli.”
“You’re not paying rent,” Grace insisted. “I bought this house with my divorce settlement money. I own it free and clear. Okay?”
Lex chewed on her bottom lip. “But, Aunt Grace, I can’t just not pay anything.”
Grace grinned at her niece, loving that she didn’t want to take advantage. But she still wasn’t going to accept any money. She’d rather her niece save her cash for when she was ready to get her own place. “I appreciate that, Lex. How about you just pay me in homecooked meals? No need to go out of your way to cook for me if you’re not going to be around, but when you are, I’ll leave the meal planning and execution up to you. Deal?"
“Deal!” Lex quickly wiped her hands on a dishtowel and then threw her arms around Grace. “You’re the best. You know that?”
“I think you’re biased, but I’ll take it.” Grace held on tightly and then kissed her on the temple. “I know you’re upset with your mother, and you have every right to your feelings, Lexie Bug, but try to remember that she does love you even if things are a little rough right now.”
Lex stiffened and pulled back to stare Grace in the eye. “I know she does. That’s part of the reason why this is so hard. Do you have any idea what it feels like to have your own mother dismiss a major part of you?”
Grace knew exactly how that felt. She’d had plenty of issues with her own mother before she’d passed on, but now wasn’t the time to get into any of that. “I’m sorry, sweet pea. I know it’s hard.”
Lex nodded and drained the wine out of her glass.
“Refill?”
“Always.” Lex held her glass out while Grace overfilled it. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. You know how I like my wine.” Grace winked at her and topped off her own glass.
“Not for that. I meant for being the person I can turn to when I need someone.” She reached out and squeezed Grace’s hand. “Just thank you.”
Grace’s heart completely melted. “You don’t need to thank me, Lex. I love you. There will never be a time when you can’t come to me.”
Tears glistened in Lex’s eyes. She blinked them back and said, “Okay. Enough. I need to finish this dinner before we’re both too sloshed to work the oven.”
“I’ll take care of the garlic bread,” Grace said, heading for the fridge to find the butter. Once she had the bread sliced and buttered with her special garlic butter blend, she slipped out of the kitchen and into her own room. She took a seat on her brand-new queen-size bed, leaned back against the multitude of pillows, and called Alyssa.
“Grace, I don’t have time to talk right now. Can I call you tomorrow?” Alyssa said without even a greeting.
“Why? What’s going on?”
Alyssa let out an exasperated sigh. “Charlie is having a fit about dinner. I need to get something in the oven before it turns into world war three.”
Grace wasn’t sure if she wanted to throttle Charlie or her sister. “Why doesn’t he make his own dinner?”
“Grace… don’t. It’s just easier if I do it.” There it was, that warning in her sister’s tone that was always there when they discussed Charlie.
“Right.” Even though Grace knew she should keep her mouth shut, after her talk with Lex, there was no way she’d be biting her tongue. “Because being the one who cooks for him seven days a week, pays the bulk of the bills, and maintains the home is totally easier