"So, you and Mat, huh?" Gran says while she pours us each a cup of freshly brewed coffee and I cut a slice of her famous chocolate cake.

"There's no me and Mat." I groan, even though I should've known that's where she would start.

She gives me a knowing smile. "Right."

"How come you ask him, of all people, to run errands for you?"

"He's just been helping me for so long that I didn't think much of it." She takes a seat next to me. "Besides, you two came here together, so..."

So her natural inclination was to meddle. What's new? Sighing, I take a bite of my cake, my eyes examining her. Despite her healthy appearance, I can't shake the sound of Matt's words from earlier.

"Matt said you were admitted to the hospital; that your diabetes is all over the place..." I say, unable to hide the hurt in my voice. We just talked recently. I can't believe she didn't say anything.

"I'm fine." She stands up to get us some sugar. "Matt is overreacting."

"Really? So, what did the doctor say? And do you really think it's a good idea to be having all this cake and sugar right now?" I raise my eyebrows when she puts two spoons of sugar in her mug.

"I've already seen a nutritionist, so I can start a new diet." She sips her coffee and I shake my head.

"Gran..."

"What?" She chuckles. "Can't I celebrate the fact you're finally home?"

"With coffee and cake?" I try not to laugh, but she's just too much sometimes.

"I could always get us a bottle of bourbon..." She shrugs, sitting by my side again.

I reach for her hand over the table. "You need to take care of yourself, Gran."

"I know, sweetheart." She squeezes my hand. "But I'm fine. You don't need to worry. Let me enjoy your visit and spoil you a little. Can we do that?"

How can I say no to her?

With a smile on my face, I give her a slight nod in agreement. "Now, while that's a good plan, you should know I'm onto you! You really need to be more careful with your health."

She beams, her expression radiating love and joy. "Great! Now let's go back to you and Mat."

"There is no-"

"What was it like seeing him again after all these years?" The sparkle in her eyes conveys a feeling of hope that makes me look away for a second.

"It was... I don't know... For a split second, it was like we were never apart. But then that wall of resentment and hurt went up so fast we didn't have an opportunity to actually talk about anything." I sigh, wondering if I'll ever be able to look at him without it being so painful.

"You two were so young to be talking about finite plans for the future... Hell, I'm almost seventy and still trying to figure life out." She snorts, making me chuckle.

"You should be my knowledge source." I wink at her.

"Ha, I wish! Joe finally had the guts to ask me out, and I have no idea of what I should wear or if I should put out on the first date," she says so nonchalantly that I choke on my coffee.

"Jesus, Gran." I erupt into a fit of laughter and coughing, sending coffee flying all over the place.

"There, there." She pats my back softly.

I grab a napkin from the table and dabbed it across my lips. "You're too much."

"What? His wife died about fifteen years ago. It's time he moves on." She stands up to get me a glass of water.

"Uh, yeah? But I had no idea you guys were, you know..." I accept her water, trying to understand what the hell is going on here.

"Daisy was a good woman. I believe they were happy together and that they truly loved each other. But then she died, and I'd never seen him so devastated. We were friends, and all I wanted was to be there for him... So, during the first years after her death, we were just that. Friends. But as time went by..." She looks down with a silly smile on her lips.

"You guys fell in love with each other! Oh my God!" I chuckle, my mind completely blown. "How have I never heard this story before?"

"And now he finally got the balls to ask me out." She grins, her eyes shining with happiness.

"Gran, why have you never talked about it before?" I breathe, my eyes searching hers. We've always expressed ourselves freely and openly, never afraid to talk about anything. I'm confused why she never mentioned something so significant as her and Joe being in love.

"I don't know... You always have so many things on your plate." She shrugs it off as if it's no big deal, but my heart breaks when I realize that over all these years I had been so focused on myself that I had overlooked being there for her and for Joe.

"I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like you couldn't talk to me." I swallow the knot in my throat. "I would love to know more about what is really going on with you; with your life."

Her eyes shine with emotion. "I'd like that too."

"We should schedule a one-hour talk every week. No interruptions, no bullshit, just us talking like we're doing here, and having a good time like we're having right now." I beam at her with anticipation, only to have my hopes dashed when she gives me a weak smile in return.

"What is it, Gran?"

"Nothing! Let's get started with the preparations for my birthday party!" She plasters a smile on her face, but I know her better.

*****

DENISE: You're in town?!

ERIN: WHAT????

ME: Small-town gossip is real :)

As I scroll through my best friends' group message, I feel the corners of my mouth tugging upwards. I knew they'd be thrilled when they found out I was in town. I had hoped to surprise them with my visit, but I should have known they'd beat me to it.

We all grew up together, fell in love at such a young age, and experienced everything there was to experience in our small town. But unlike me, they never felt that urge to leave and explore the world in search of their own place.

They did what was expected of them. They got a job nearby, said their vows, and were filled with peace as they welcomed their babies here. Even though I consider them the only real friends I've ever had, I understand that we've grown apart somehow and that we are all very different people now.

It doesn't mean that I haven't missed them like crazy, though.

ME: Gran is throwing herself a birthday party. I had to come.

ERIN: And why didn't you tell us???

ME: I wanted it to be a surprise :D

DENISE: We're surprised all right!

ERIN: We are going out tonight!

DENISE: What about the kids?

ERIN: The guys can babysit them, or our parents. This is important!

DENISE: HELL YEAH!

ME: LOL You guys are crazy.

ERIN: Be ready at 7.

"What is putting this smile on your face?"

I startle, hearing the creak of the sofa as Gran sits down beside me. She got a call from Joe while we were chatting, and I used the opportunity to get my laptop and check some emails in the living room.

"Just got tex from Erin and Denise. They discovered I'm in town and are demanding a night out," I explain.

"Oh, sounds fun!" She smiles excitedly.

"Yeah, but I feel so tired. Like my body is ready to use this vacation time after so many years without a break." I pull her into a side hug, feeling the warmth of her embrace as I savor the sweet aroma of her perfume.

"Go take a nap, then." She cups my face. "You'll feel better when you wake up."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

*****

I was so cozy on the sofa that I dozed off for a couple of hours, and now I'm left with only forty minutes before the girls arrive.

Taking a hot shower gives me the warmth and comfort that I need after traveling the whole day. As I lather shampoo into my hair, I can feel my body unwind and I begin to consider my wardrobe options.

The thought of enjoying a night out with my best friends has me bursting with anticipation. There is absolutely nowhere to go around here, so I know we'll probably end up going to Cuba. But as I plan my outfit meticulously, I keep reminding myself I'm not dressing up for Matt.

"There she is!" Denise shouts while barging into my room.

"Jesus!" I hurry to wrap a towel around myself.

"We've seen your lady parts way too many times before." Erin throws herself at me, and soon we're all a mess of jumping and squealing bodies.

"Damn, I missed you two!" I laugh when they finally lose their hold on me.

"Okay! Let's get you ready!" Erin says. "It's been way too long since we all partied together."

"Too long since we last partied! I'm ready to let loose tonight," Denise says, just confirming my thoughts.

Yeah! These girls are looking for trouble tonight.

_____

A/N: Hope you're enjoying the story! :)

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Celeste