Alix snorted. “I’m pretty sure we’re on vacation, so the limit does not exist.”
“Weird museum for a vacation,” Grace said, gesturing to the house. “Again, I am so sorry. This honestly has been an insane intro to Miami and my family.”
Alix smiled, popping another half of a brownie into her mouth. “Actually, I love it. Midnight pool swims, art collections, a dog with IBS… what’s not to love?”
Grace sighed, but they sat down together at the small table where they’d eaten dinner the night before.
“Atta girl,” Alix said, watching Grace bite into her second brownie.
Two chews later, Grace froze. “Alix.”
“Mmm?” Alix said, sitting up from where she had begun sinking into her chair.
“These aren’t normal brownies.” Grace gestured to the Tupperware.
Alix blinked. “They aren’t vegan?”
“They’re… special.” Grace pointed to a masking tape label. “Sylvia’s friend Maribel bakes with — you know. She bakes.” She widened her eyes in emphasis.
Alix looked at the container. “Are you saying?—”
Grace held out the brownie in her hand like it was radioactive. “We have to be at my mom’s house in two hours. I cannot show up high. I’m a lawyer, for God’s sake! I’m going to get fired.”
Alix shrugged, popping the rest of her brownie into her mouth. “What? Why? Does your firm do random drug testing?”
Grace shot her a pointed look. “No, but they could start at any time, Alix!”
Alix leaned back, fighting laughter. “Relax, you barely had any.”
“A crumb can be lethal,” Grace hissed as she began to stand, shaking her hands like she was about to start panicking. “What if I forget how to use a fork?”
Alix caught Grace’s wrists gently, tugging her back down. “Breathe, Gator. You’re fine. Worst case, you giggle and eat too many mashed potatoes. That’s just Thanksgiving.”
Grace glared, then cracked into a reluctant smile. “This isn’t funny.”
Alix paused, looking up at Grace’s earnest face, full of panic. “I mean, it’s a little funny.”
Baby barked in agreement.
By the time they’d crated him, his howls pure emotional blackmail, Alix was steady enough to pull it together. Grace ordered an Uber, muttering about not being able to drive and reckless aunts and irresponsible baked goods, while Alix tucked the container back into the fridge with reverence and a promise that she’d return to it after dinner.
When the car pulled up, Grace exhaled like she was heading into battle. Alix slid in beside her, bumping their shoulders together, warm and easy.
“Hey,” Alix murmured as the driver pulled away, already feeling the lightness of the brownie’s secret ingredient. “You’re okay. I’m here. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Grace initially shot her a look sharp enough to slice but began to melt as Alix entwined their hands.
“I’m here with you. Everything’s going to be okay,” Alix soothed, squeezing Grace’s hand and brushing her thumb over the dark nail polish that tipped Grace’s fingers. Was it just an excuse to hold Grace’s hand? Absolutely not. Not one that she’d ever admit.
Grace clenched her jaw, fighting a smile she clearly didn’t want to give away. But Alix caught it. That twitch at the corner of Grace’s mouth, like she was trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Chapter Eleven
GRACE
Hands clenching her knees,Grace tried to stop visualizing disaster. Tried to convince herself that there was not, in fact, an enormous neon sign floating above her head alerting the world that she had unintentionally ingested marijuana.
Would the partners care that her consumption had been inadvertent? Would the Florida Bar? Oh, God. What if a client called? She couldn’t ignore that, could she? She certainly couldn’t risk giving advice while under the influence. Cold sweat made her short pale blue dress stick to her back.
