Always Be True by Alexis Morgan Read Free Book Online Page B

asked nicely enough. Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen.”
    “What is it about that guy that they like so much? I swear, I doze off about thirty seconds after he starts talking.” Her grandfather gave a rough laugh. “Actually, he doesn’t talk. Benton pontificates.”
    She shouldn’t laugh, but she couldn’t help herself. He was right about that. “Benton is nice enough, but he’s just not the guy for me. For one thing, he doesn’t understand why I’m putting all this effort and money into the community center. Our values don’t mesh at all, and I wish my folks would accept that and let me move on with my life.”
    “If they give you any grief about it, let me know. I’ll straighten them out on the subject. But right now, I want to hear more about this Tino.” He held up a shaky hand. “And I’m not asking for his last name or anything that would let me do a background check on him. I’m just curious what you found so interesting about him. You’re usually more cautious about hooking up with men.”
    That last part startled another laugh out of her. “Hooking up with men? Where on earth did you learn that expression?”
    He huffed at her. “I watch television. Call it whatever you want, Natalie, but you know I’m right. When was the last time you agreed to go out with a man you’d known less than twenty-four hours?”
    Darn it, he was right. They both knew she didn’t make impulsive decisions very often. “Would it make you happier if I went out with every guy I met?”
    “Not at all. Like I said, I have to wonder what makes him so special.” Maybe Cyrus realized he was treading on a delicate subject, because he tried to lighten the conversation by adding, “Is he incredibly handsome like me?”
    “No one is as handsome as you, Grandpa, but he comes close. Dark eyes, dark hair, and a nice smile. He’s a bit too tall, though.” He’d still have several inches in height over her even if she wore her highest heels.
    “All of that’s superficial, little lady. We both know you’re not that shallow.”
    Again, he was right. “To start with, he brought his own tools to the community center and put in a full day’s work. Can you even imagine Benton owning a hammer much less a reciprocating saw? The work we’re doing there is important, not just to me, but to the surrounding area. Even knowing that, Benton has never spent a single hour there helping out. I know it’s not his thing, but he could’ve made some effort.”
    She pictured Tino in her mind as they’d shared pizza and pie. “But I think what really swayed me was that he listened when I talked. Really listened, you know, as if what I said really mattered to him. Rosalie liked him, too, and she’s a tough one to fool for very long. In that way, she reminds me of you.”
    “Now you’re trying to butter me up.” Although he looked pleased with her assessment.
    “So anyway, until I know if this relationship is going to go anywhere, I’d rather not involve the folks.”
    Cyrus reached across the small table to pat her on the hand. “Which I’m guessing is why you didn’t mention taking him to that art gallery thing on Friday.”
    Natalie grinned at him. “Actually, when Mom tried to convince me to ask Benton to be my plus-one, I threatened to bring you instead. That shut her right up.”
    His answering laugh was a bit wheezy, but he clearly enjoyed her tactics. “I bet it did. You do know I would have gone if you needed me to.”
    “I know, but luckily Mom didn’t realize I was bluffing. I would’ve caved before I asked you to dust off your tuxedo.”
    “Thanks for that much.” He set his teacup aside. “I’ll keep your secret, but I’ll want a full report on how the date goes when I see you next week. If you find you really like this guy, I’ll want to meet him. For now, I need to take a nap, and you’ve got better things to do than entertain an old man.”
    She came around to his side of the table to give him a