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It was at least 12:30. In the afternoon.
Well done, Bree.
She glazed over my blunder and me as well, opting to fuss over Cody some more instead.
“Young man, it has not been the same without you here. Your dad has missed you greatly, you know. Now get over here and give me a neck hug.”
Cody complied, briefly leaning over to hug the much shorter woman, and muttered quietly, “I hope you’re well, Grandmother.”
She smiled charmingly at him. “You know you’re the only one who can get away with calling me that.”
“Getting away with things is both my gift and my curse.”
She laughed him off and pushed what looked like some folded bills into his hand. “Your drinks are on me this fine afternoon. Go ahead and order. I need a word with my charm.”
The way she’d emphasized the word “afternoon” raised the hairs on my neck. Cody pocketed the money, knowing better than to try to return it, and squeezed my hand in support.
I picked up what he was silently dropping—he would defy her if I asked. He’d probably even throw me over his shoulder and make the world’s least inconspicuous exit out of here.
I wouldn’t ask for that.
Today was already a day for cowardice, and I was to stay on theme.
Grandmother’s gait was nearly as slow as mine, and I followed easily as she led us out of Caffeina and into a small alcove just a few feet away.
She turned to face me, her entire demeanor changing as she said with deathly calm, her voice a full register lower. “I thought I raised you better than this.”
My hand flew to my hair of its own accord, wondering if she knew what I had been up to only an hour ago. It didn’t matter that I was twenty-two, kind of living on my own but also low-key homeless, and gainfully employed. Ish.
What was my point?
“You disappear for several days and then reappear here, galivanting with the Desmond boy and looking like you’ve been mugged. What do you have to say for yourself?”
As was tradition when that question was put forth, she gave me no time to say anything.
“Time may be catching up with my body, but my mind is sharp. I know I’m the reason you two have been thick as thieves all these years, and I love that boy like my own, but the fact is that he is a man now. You cannot behave as you did as children.” She paused her tirade, looking into the middle distance for several moments as if lost in memory before eventually muttering, “And that was before what your father did.”
“What did you just say?” She never talked about my dad.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Were you not listening at all? My word, I do not think I will ever understand what has gotten into you lately.”
I waved my hand impatiently, adrenaline fueling my audacity. “About Dad. What did you say about Dad?”
“Him? Heaven’s gates, my charm, why would we ever talk about him? Oh look, there’s Big Daddy.” She waved, her face alight with good-natured amusement and affable grace again. “Well, hello there, young man.”
Big Daddy chuckled, very much not the classic picture of a young man with his slicked back ponytail that was graying at the temples. “Miss Barb, you flatter me.”
She winked at him before delivering my dismissal. “I’ll see you later, my charm. Be good.” Then she held out her jeweled hand to Big Daddy. “Would you escort me inside, please? I have a good feeling about a particular Double Diamond machine today.”
He took her hand, tucking it into her arm before addressing me. “How’s your ankle, dear? Will Lady Luck be gracing us tomorrow night?”
My gaze flicked to Grandmother, wondering if she had caught his first question, but when she didn’t acknowledge me, I nodded, answering the question he actually wanted to know. “I’ll see you then.”
He smiled vaguely, and then they were off. I was so glad that I’d called Big Daddy the day after my accident and told him that I wouldn’t be up for tonight’s scheduled Lady Luck appearance.
Having no desire to watch them leave, I turned away and studied my sparkly shoes instead. Something I often did post-Grandmother.
Which was how Cody found me a few moments later—my head bent and shoulders curved inward, a cartoon storm cloud raining all over my sex hair.
