Page 119 of She’s Worth the Risk

She exhales long and slow, then lifts her chin. “I’m moving to a residence nearby, on Remsen Street.”

I frown, not sure I understand. “A residence?”

She nods. “They handle the cooking and the housekeeping, keep an eye on… everything. It’s all very civilized.”

It takes me a moment to piece together what she’s saying. She’s moving to an assisted living facility.

My heart tightens. “Gran, no. You don’t have to do that. Not if I’m here.”

“Zinnia, my sweet girl.” She takes my hands, her skin paper-thin against mine. “I could never ask you to take care of me.”

“But…” Emotion rushes to my eyes. “You’ve always been there for me. Always. I want to do the same.”

“But it’s not the same, sweetheart.” She squeezes my hands. “I’ve already lived a wonderful life, but yours is just beginning. And you can’t live it if you’re worrying about me.”

A tear slides from my eye, and Gran’s bony finger brushes it away.

“I want to look after you,” I say fiercely, and she shakes her head.

“I know you do, and that’s very generous, but you have a life to build now that you’re staying in the city. A life to build with that wonderful man.”

“But—”

She shoots me her signature It’s not happening look, and I laugh through my tears.

“God, you’re stubborn.”

“Or maybe I know what’s best,” she says, smoothing a hand over my hair.

I sigh, realizing she’s probably right. I think about what Poppy told me when we first met, all the ways she and Wyatt had been looking out for Gran before I arrived. Keeping spare keys to her house, checking that she locks her door at night, maintaining her yard. She probably needs more care than I realize, and I’d hate for anything to fall through the cracks because of me.

But I also hate the thought of Gran losing what makes her happy.

“What about book club?” I ask. “Your social events?”

“I can still do all that,” Gran says easily. “And they have a great program there.” I must look unconvinced, because she softens, adding, “I know this is a big change, but it’s time. And it’s only a few blocks away, Zinnie. You can visit whenever you like.”

“When are you…”

She straightens. “I’m moving next month.”

Oh. Wow. That’s soon.

I look around my room, taking in the faded floral wallpaper, the rolltop desk, the dormer window, thinking about the hours I spent here as a kid. How it felt to climb Gran’s stoop the first day of summer each year, that familiar and comforting feeling as I entered her front door. The smell of her perfume, her cooking, her tea. While everything around me changed, Gran’s place has always been here, steady and unchanging. My heart drops as I think about losing that.

“I’m going to miss this place,” I murmur.

When I look back at Gran, she’s smiling. “Hopefully, you won’t.”

I give her a puzzled look.

“I’m not going to sell it, darling.” Her eyes sparkle. “I’m giving it to you.”

I splutter in disbelief. “What?”

She gives a nonchalant shrug. “What good is it to me if I can’t live in it?”

“Gran.” She can’t be serious. “I could never…”