Page 23 of Through the Storm

“It’s fine.” I laugh despite myself. “I love Grandma Patty.”

“Everyone does,” her grandma adds cheekily, already walking toward the kitchen.

Katy steps aside, cheeks pink. “You can come in. If you want.”

I want.

I try to play it cool. “Yeah. Okay.”

The kitchen smells like fresh coffee. Katy’s grandma sets the muffins on the counter and immediately starts fussing with plates. “Sit,” she tells me.

“Yes, ma’am,” I say without thinking.

Katy shoots me a look. “Traitor.”

Her grandma beams. “Leave him alone, Katherine. He’s being very nice to you. The least you could do is offer him some coffee.”

I smile, because apparently her grandma is my new wing woman.

Katy rolls her eyes and gets a cup for me. Then she takes a muffin, breaks it in half, and takes a bite. Her shoulders relax like she’s been holding tension there.

“They’re good,” she says.

Relief hits me harder than it should. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She smiles at me. “Thank you.”

Her grandma claps her hands once. “Alright. I’m going to give you two a minute. Katy, seriously, be grateful. Men don’t just show up with baked goods anymore.”

“Grandma,” Katy chastises, horrified.

But she’s already gone.

Silence settles in. Not awkward. Just… quiet.

“I should probably go,” I say. Staying feels dangerous in a way I don’t want to examine.

Katy nods, even though she looks a little disappointed. Or maybe I’m projecting. I do that now.

“Thanks again,” she says. “For the muffins. And… everything.”

“Anytime,” I say. And I mean it. “Also, um… I booked a prenatal yoga class tomorrow. Ten a.m. I’ll come pick you up.”

Her eyes widen.

“What?”

“You heard me, Katy Cat. I’ll see you then.” I wink.

“You can’t just assume I’m free, you know?”

“Are you?”

She crosses her arms. “That’s not the point.”

“Great, then it’s settled. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She rolls her eyes at me, but she’s smiling. I take the win and leave before I can say something stupid.