My heart clanged against my breastbone at her words. Before coming to San Diego, I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere.
I turned to see Mike gazing at me, a silly grin on his face. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
“You two are incorrigible. Stop that. You’re embarrassing me, and I don’t do that easily,” I said, playfully shoving his shoulder.
“But Ilikeembarrassing you, Renata.”
“You’re so ridiculous, Data Boy. Take your flirtation somewhere else. I saw a nice woman with some orthopedic high tops and a sexy bob haircut out there. Bet she’s available,” I said with a smirk.
“Nah, I like ‘em with curls,” he said, his voice getting deep.
I had completely forgotten we were sitting in front of Grammy. Mike must’ve had the same thought because we both slowly turned to see her smiling with tears in her eyes.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, reaching for her hand.
“Just wishing Grandpa could be here right now to see this,” she said softly.
I cleared my throat and sat back, creating space between Mike and me. I hadn’t realized that we’d been leaning towards each other. Grammy was getting the wrong impression, and I needed to shut it down quickly.
“So, Mike tells me you love music? I do, too. All kinds.”
He looked at me curiously, no doubt wondering about my change of subject.
She held up her hand that he wasn’t holding and said, “Yes, child. I love to listen to music. Especially big band music. They don’t make music like that anymore. Mikey got me a turntable for Christmas several years ago. Should we get him to put some on now?”
Somehow, I had a feeling she’d make him put on some Marvin Gaye if given the chance, and I didn’t need sexy ambiance music right now. The setup he’d told me about, theone she’d orchestrated the night I arrived, was still playing on repeat in my head when I needed a chuckle.
Not so funny now that you’re the one in her web.
Clearing my throat and waving my hand, I answered.“No, no. Don’t go to the trouble. That’s quite all right.”
Mike snickered as if he figured out what I was doing. “Grammy, Ren and I have a mutual love of working with wood, so to speak. She likes designing the renovation of houses.”
“Well, isn’t that an interesting coincidence?”
Not helping my cause here, Mikey.I gave him a wild look that he ignored.
“Mike mentioned woodworking as a hobby, but he hasn’t shown me anything he’s done.”
“Nothing to see. Just something I do to keep busy.”
“Nonsense, you could sell those on that Facebook if you wanted to or on that Betsy site,” Grammy said, her words making me chuckle. “He built a workshop at his house. That’s how good he is.”
“Etsy, Grammy. Etsy,” he corrected lovingly.
“Yeah, Mikey, why don’t you try selling your wares on the Facebook? Bet you could make some money on the side,” I teased. I really didn’t know what it was about this man that brought out this side of me. My experience bantering with men was abysmal. They never seemed to get my sense of humor. Until now.
He smirked and rolled his eyes.
“Get the box and show her,” Grammy insisted, pointing her light pink painted finger at a shelf above Mike’s head.
Not wanting to argue, he grunted as he got up slowly and walked to the shelf, bringing back with him the most beautiful wooden jewelry box I’d ever seen. It looked like it had been carved from the inside of an oak tree, its rings giving it an otherworldly look. It was smooth and varnished and so perfectlyplaced that it looked as if it were all one piece. An intricate swirl design had been carved into it, reminding me of smoke rising from a perfect cup of espresso.
He handed it to me, his long fingers grazing mine in the exchange. We both looked up at each other as I pulled it from his warm hand.
Clearing my throat again, I asked, “Is it oak? I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s beautiful.” I carefully turned it over when I heard something clink inside.
“Yes, it was from the oak tree in Grammy’s backyard. Lightning hit it a few years back, so I helped cut it down before it hit the house,” he said, his voice low and thoughtful.
