True Connections by Clarissa Yip Read Free Book Online Page B

disappoints me.”
    “Nanna, I really have to go. I have so much work to do, and details to finish for the social tomorrow night.”
    Her grandmother frowned.
    “I’ll see you soon. And I promised to help you with the frames and decorations for the party.” Lia kissed her nanna’s cheek, then said to Henry, “It was nice to meet you.”
    Henry stood, warmth shining from his gray eyes. “I’m glad to meet you, too, sweetie. You’re as beautiful as your mother.”
    “Thank you.” Holding out her hand for a shake, she said, “I’m sure I’ll see you around, Henry.”
    “You bet.”
    Instead of taking her palm, the man drew her in for a hug. Lia stilled as he patted her back, then released her.
    “Don’t be a stranger. I’d love to introduce you to my son. You’ll like him. He’s your age, maybe a year or two older. He’s an electrician. He actually worked on some stuff for Dina at her store. That’s how I met your mother.” Throwing a fond look past her shoulder, Henry grinned. Lia didn’t have to turn around to know Dina stood behind her.
    “Sure. Good-bye.” She flew past her mother, grabbed her jacket from the coat rack, and strode out the door.
    Once in her car, Lia started the engine and maneuvered the vehicle down the long driveway onto the quiet road, her emotions churning chaotically in her chest. Tears blurred her vision but she blinked them away. A laugh rumbled up her throat.
    Seeing her mother’s happiness and having Dina reach out to her tampered with the walls she’d built around her heart, throwing her into the unknown. As a child she’d lived for her mother’s attention, doing everything she could to get noticed. But over the years, she’d accepted she would never be the daughter Dina wanted.
    She reached into her briefcase and pulled out the gold-enameled ivory cardstock. The wedding invitation represented another failure. She’d thought she could return home and forget everything—but being here, in Grant, only reminded her what she’d run from the first time.
    Drawing in a deep breath, she took out her phone from her pocket. Before she could dial, Max’s name appeared on the screen.
    Her heart skipped. With a shaky hand, she pressed the speakerphone button.
    “Hello?”
    “Lia, number three didn’t show.”
    The anger in his tone added to the tension already taking over her body. She cleared her throat. “Sorry. I’ll—”
    “No. I don’t want to do this anymore. It’s over.”
    …
    Lia paced. Frustration tore through her with each step she pounded into the green carpet of her newly renovated apartment. She’d never asked for this—never asked to be involved with finding Max a date. All she’d wanted was to walk away from everyone, return to Grant, and just focus on her work. She had nothing left.
    She recalled the proud look her nanna had given when she praised her in front of Henry. If she failed at this, failed in finding Max a date, her nanna and Carol might decide she wasn’t worthy either.
    She fell to the couch and dropped her head into her hands, but at the sound of the doorbell, she shot out of her seat and rushed to the door. Standing on tiptoe, she stared through the peephole. Max’s face was magnified through the glass, irritation marring his features.
    She couldn’t deal with any more. First Mindy’s phone call, then dinner with Henry and Dina, along with her mother’s sudden need to change things between them. And now Max ready to bail on her? She banged her forehead against the wood panel.
    “Open the door, Lia.”
    “Go away.”
    “I’m not leaving, so you might as well get this over with.”
    With a grunt, she swung the door open and glared. “What do you want?”
    He strode past her into her living room. Looking around, he surveyed the area. The apartment was small and slightly bare since she’d only been home for two months, but she had everything she needed. Max’s expression held amusement.
    “Don’t judge my home. Now say what