The Baller's Baby by Cristina Grenier Page A

to keep learning,” Stacey said, holding a hand out to him.
    Looking up at her Cole saw the woman who'd in a single night captured more of his heart than he even knew he had to give. He took her hand, interlacing their fingers. “So, about these grandparents.”
    “My grandfather,” Stacey started, “Is Grandpa Bud. We never call him anything else and you shouldn't either. Knowing that will tell them that we're more than just acquaintances. I won't be mentioning that you're under contract with my agency and I would refrain from mentioning how we met.”
    “So what do I say if they ask?”
    “We can say we met at a basketball game,” Stacey shrugged. “We did, sort of. Then if they mention what I do for a living you can easily say that you know.”
    “You're sneaky, Miss Patterson.”
    “You have no idea, Mr. Winslow,” Stacey replied and smiled. “We're here, and just in time for lunch.”
    Stacey showed Cole to the table with her grandparents, leaning over to whisper that his grandmother always went by Miss Eunice.”
    “Well isn't it nice for you to bring company,” Eunice Patterson said, smiling. Stacey didn't miss the surprise in her eyes when she looked at Cole. It wasn't everyday that Stacey brought someone with her to visit, certainly someone with white skin. “It's awfully nice to meet you Mr. Winslow.”
    “I feel the same Miss Eunice, and please, call me Cole.”
    “Cole Winslow,” the older woman said, “That's a nice name.”
    “Thank you.” Cole smiled like a proud little kid. It was easier than he'd imagined talking to this charming woman. Cole could see the family resemblance in Stacey and where she got her stunning personality.
    “So tell me about your family Cole,” Grandpa Bud prompted, his deep voice a little rough around the edges, like Stacey's personality.
    “My parents divorced when I was eight and my sister twelve. My mother didn't really know how to care for us, but did the best she could. I haven't seen or heard from my father since he left and the only person I really keep in touch with is my older sister and her family. She's married and lives relatively close with her husband and two children.”
    “Did you practice that little speech boy?”
    “No sir, it sort of just rambles out of me, especially since I don't exactly like talking about my family.”
    “Good, nerves I can handle.” Cole stood when the senior Patterson did. “Take a walk with me Cole.”
                                                                          ***
    “So darling, tell me about your man,” Eunice cooed, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
    “He's not my man, grandma.”
    “Huh, huh, and I'm not black,” Eunice bravely joked and chuckled. “Honey, if he was any more your man he'd be tattooed on that cute booty you got.”
    “Grandma!” Stacey squealed. “Alright, alright. He's sort of my man, we're still working out all the details.”
    “Mm, hmm.”
    “Look, it's difficult enough with the situation we're in, let alone the fact that daddy's going to flip when I bring a white guy to dinner.”
    “Ah, give your father more credit than that,” her grandma told her. “He's flexible about those sorts of things. It's your mother who'll need the paramedics honey.”
    “Nah, she's already bursting at the seams to know every detail of our relationship. And I do mean every detail.”
    “That's a mother's prerogative, dear. What you share, however, is yours.”
    “I never knew it'd be so crazy,” Stacey said, finally confiding in a woman as she'd longed to do since Cole had first kissed her.
    “Love usually is honey,” Eunice replied, giving a full laugh when she saw the miserable look on Stacey's face. “Oh now, it can't be that bad. He's not bad looking for a white guy, nice manners too.”
    “No one said anything about love, grandma.”
    “No, neither of you said it, but then again, neither of you need to say