Read Online Live for You by Marquita Valentine - Free Book Online

like to invite him
over to dinner one night, be my guest.”
    Before I can answer, she
adds, “If you’d like to go out with Cole, on a date, all I ask is
that he comes over and picks you up properly. No honking the horn
from the driveway.”
    “ I didn’t come here to
date anyone.” But I was planning on meeting Cole
tomorrow.
    “ Then make some female
friends.” Nana rises, taking her plate to the sink. “It’s not
healthy for a body to be alone.”
    I place my fork on the
table. “The last female friend I had ended up screw— er, sleeping
with my boyfriend. So, I’m not real keen on finding another
one.”
    “ Painting everyone with
the same brushstroke, huh?”
    Setting my elbows on the
table, I cup my face with my hands and rub my temples. “Sometimes
you have to do that in order to guard your heart.”
    She turns on the water,
filling the sink with hot water and dish soap. “So you plan on
sitting around here, with a senior citizen for company?”
    “ Maybe I like hanging out
with senior citizens.”
    Nana snorts. I mean, she
actually snorts, then turns around and rolls her eyes. What’s
gotten into her? “Violet Rae Givens, either you make some friends
or I’m kicking you out.”
    My mouth falls open.
“What?”
    She crosses her arms. “I
love the company and appreciate all the help you’ve given me, but
enough’s enough.”
    “ And just how do you
expect me to make friends? Put out an advertisement on Craig’s
List? Down in the Dumps Country Music Singer Needs a BFF. Stalkers
need not apply. I’ll totally find some winners that way,” I
snap.
    “ Facebook should work.”
She turns around again, cutting off the water.
    I’m completely at a loss as
to what to say next. My sixty-five year old grandmother is
lecturing me about making friends and wants me to use Facebook. I
want to stomp my feet and throw a temper tantrum like a three year
old. Instead I clear the table and help her with the
dishes.
    “ I can’t go on Facebook as
my real self. Who would I send out friend requests to—my
agent?
    “ Lacey Evans.”
    Our conversation is
becoming stranger and stranger. Who is this woman? “I thought you
didn’t want me lying about my name.”
    “ She’s a real person, you
goose,” Nana laughs. “I wanted to introduce you two after service
today, but her mother said she was sick and had stayed
home.”
    Figures. The first church
service I finally go to with Nana, and she’s already plotting
against me. Or would that be for me? Either way, I don’t need her
help. I know how to make friends. Well, I know how to lose
friends.
    “ If you get’s Lacey’s
number, I’ll text her sometime this week.” I have no intention of
ever doing this. I like being alone. Hanging out with Cole and his
sister doesn’t count.
    Nana smiles, wringing out
the dish cloth. “I’ll do you one better.”
    “ Oh really?”
    “ Yes, really. Lacey’s
coming here tomorrow to pick up the clothes I sewed for them.” She
tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. “Then you can meet her in
person, like normal folks do.”
    I bump her with my hip.
“Weren’t you the one suggesting Facebook?”
    “ Desperate granddaughters
call for desperate measures,” she deadpans.
    Laughing, I throw my arms
around her. “I love you, Nana.”
    “ And I love you.” Her hand
strokes the top of my head. “Now about that Morgan boy.”
    “ Nana ,” I groan, hiding my smile. “I’m sorry for being such a
brat.”
    She kisses my forehead. “I
know.”
    “ And I’m seeing Cole
tomorrow, down by the creek again. Maybe I should pack us a lunch?”
My heart pounds, with my little confession or anticipation, I’m not
entirely sure.
    “ I’ll pack it. Lacey will
be by in the morning, before you have to leave.”
    “ Thank you,” I
whisper.
    “ It’s okay to take a
chance on somebody, Violet Rae,” she says softly. “You’re not
really living, if you don’t.”
    Easier said than done, I
think. But I don’t say it. I