The Buy-In (Graham Brothers #1)(110)

“But he left.” My lip trembles. “What if he doesn’t come back?”

“Which is like your Kryptonite,” Val says. “But I have a feeling Pat is like a boomerang. He’s coming back. He is. And you’re going to be ready when he does.”

“Look, sometimes it takes two to be dumb,” Winnie says. “You were both dumb back in the day, and you’re both being dumb now.”

“Um, thanks?”

“The point is, this is fixable,” Winnie says. “So, let’s fix it.”

Val claps her hands. “Yes! We’re moving on to the action plan. Action is good.”

I feel like I’m coming out of a fog, and the more the air clears, the more I realize my friends are so right. I’ve been thinking about my own hurt, focusing on the fact that Pat left me. Which—yeah, okay. He did. But Pat’s actions have spoken loudly over the past weeks, confirming the words he said. He loves me. He’s all in.

Now, it’s my turn to show him that I’m all in too. “I don’t even know what to do.”

“Yes, you do,” Val says, giving me a little shake. “It’s Pat. Think big.”

“We need a grand gesture,” Winnie says, and both of our heads swivel her way. “What? I’m not a monster. I’ve read a romance novel or two.”

“You have?” I ask. This is somehow more mind-blowing than my realization about Pat.

“Just for the witty banter.” Winnie pauses, then smooths back her ponytail. “And maybe for the fictional men. But women don’t do the big romantic thing nearly enough. And I think they should. So, let’s figure out a way for you to do something for Mr. Grand Gesture himself.”





The Top Seven Romantic Grand Gestures From Movies





By Birdie Graham

Who doesn’t love a grand gesture? In real life, you should consider yourself lucky if you are on the receiving end of a grand gesture, but they are EVERYWHERE in the movies. Here are my top seven grand gestures from movies in no particular order (because I couldn’t decide on my favorite).

7. Heath Ledger serenading Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate about You. (Oh, Heath. How we miss you!)



6. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks meeting at the top of the Empire State Building in Sleepless in Seattle.



5. Adam Sandler’s airplane proposal to Drew Barrymore in The Wedding Singer.



4. Billy Crystal finding Meg Ryan at a party for the perfect New Year’s Eve kiss in When Harry Met Sally.



3. John Cusack holding up the boombox outside Ione Skye’s window in Say Anything. (I feel like Peter Gabriel should get a mention here too for being instrumental. The moment wouldn’t have worked with, say, Phil Collins. Love ya, Phil.)



2. Beast giving Belle the library in the cartoon Beauty and the Beast. (Tell me I’m not the only one who preferred the Beast to the man he became???)



1. Mr. Darcy’s final proposal to Elizabeth. (You can’t make me choose between the miniseries and the movie. Sorry. And while the rest are not in order, this is by far my number one.)





Did I miss any? Leave your favorite grand gestures in the comments below!





Chapter Thirty-Six





Lindy





Sometimes, you just need your mama. And this, I decide, is one of those times.

Once Jo woke up, cutting off our fruitless but hilarious brainstorming session of grand gestures, I headed out. Val, Winnie, and Jojo were happily watching cat fail videos on YouTube.

My car ride didn’t inspire any ideas better than Winnie’s suggestion involving a group of peacocks (technically called a muster) or Val’s idea to have Chevy fake lock Pat up. I think she just likes that one because it involves seeing Chevy. I kinda like it too because it would be fun to see Pat behind bars again. But ultimately, none of the ideas are quite right.

I may not know how—yet—but I will come up with something. I will. And then, I’m going to grand gesture him so hard, he won’t know what hit him.

Before I head inside the facility, I finally dig Rachel’s letter out of my purse. It feels like a door I need to close, even if I’m a little nervous about its contents.

The letter is so very Rachel.

Apparently, she wrote the letter from rehab, where she returned after a week of bingeing. Sad, but not really a surprise. The rest of her letter alternates between passive aggressive and just straight-up aggressive. While acknowledging I’m “probably” the best person to care for Jo, Rachel also made sure to mention how much she hates letting me “win” and hopes I’m happy now.

Yes, Rachel. I am happy now.

Or, I will be, once I resolve things with Pat and restore the family of three we’ve been building.

I hope Rachel can find healing, I really do. But I don’t feel the tiniest bit bad throwing her letter away.

When I reach Mama’s room, she smiles, eyes lighting up. “Hello, my Lindy Lou Who!”

I haven’t heard her use that nickname in years. I sit down, pulling my chair close to hers, noting the fresh flowers and a few extra bird feeders.

“Hey, Mama. What’s new?” I ask, hoping to get my bearings on what year we’re in today.