“What?” His mind reeled. One minute he was flinging out ugly words he’d never meant to say, the next she was apologizing for that summer and hitting him with the truth like a slap to the face. He believed she regretted her actions that summer, and deep down he knew she was right about not being able to stay. But this—taking Nan from him—was going too far. “No, it’s not necessary. California? Really, Brittany? Can’t you think about anyone but yourself?”

      “Now who’s the one being selfish?” She gave him a cool glare. “I’m thinking about Nan. What if she falls and no one finds her for hours?”

      “We’ll get her one of those emergency buttons.” Even as the words left his mouth, he wondered if Brittany was right. Was he being selfish for wanting to keep Nan right where she was?

      “She’s barely keeping up with basic hygiene. I feel like she’s living on yogurt and cheese crackers. The house is dirty. And so is she. She’s confused.”

      “I’ll hire someone to help out with the cleaning once a week. We can pick up frozen dinners for her. All she’ll have to do is pop them in the microwave.” Easy solutions. No need for her to move Nan to another state.

      “But will she?”

      “Yes.” But he wasn’t so sure she actually would. He tried to imagine how Nan must appear in Brittany’s eyes, and he admitted, the picture wasn’t great.

      “How long can this last? Six months? A year? I have to think long-term.” She covered her face with her hands and wiped her cheeks. She rose on her tippy-toes again, a movement he knew meant she was conflicted.

      For the first time, he allowed himself to really see Brittany. Fine lines creased around her eyes and between her eyebrows. Her life might not have been as happy-go-lucky as he’d imagined.

      That didn’t change things. He wasn’t letting her rip Nan away from here.

      “Nan should have a say in it, too.” And so should he.

      “I know.” She bit the corner of her lip, worry running through those pretty blue eyes.

      “Look, I know you have a busy life in California,” he said as gently as possible. “I’ve been watching out for Nan a long time. She’s like a grandmother to me.”

      “But she’s my grandma.”

      That point stung a bit. Technically, Nan was Brittany’s grandmother, but he’d spent enough time with her to lay claim to the title, too, hadn’t he?

      “And I don’t appreciate your tone when you talk about my busy life in California. You don’t know anything about my life. And it is busy, just not in the frivolous way you’re implying. If I move Nan in with me, I’ll be able to take care of her.”

      “How are you going to do that? You’ll have to drag her out of this house kicking and screaming. She’s lived here for over sixty years. I’m sure it will do wonders for her health being stuck in the smog and surrounded by people all the time.”

      “Look, I didn’t say I was moving her out there for sure. I merely said I was considering it.”

      “Will you even be around to take care of her?” In his mind he’d always pictured Brittany laughing and living a social life surrounded by adoring friends. Honestly, the thought made him jealous. His life had been full of responsibility since he was a young boy.

      “What do you think I do? I’m not some party girl flying around. I teach children and teens dance lessons at night and work part-time at a diner on weekends. During the day, I pick up side jobs doing data entry from home. So, to answer your question, no, I won’t always be around to take care of her. But you aren’t, either, so I don’t think you can talk.”