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“Ah. Interesting. So now, you don’t let yourself get too settled, huh? ”
I shrug. “I just don’t like the feeling of being tied down too much. I like being able to live out of a duffel bag, and not need much. I like feeling like a hotel room is more than enough.”
Amalia sips her tea, looking like her mind is turning. “You never dream of living in a house like this one?”
I scoff. “No way. I’d get lost. Literally.”
She chuckles. “Reed throws a lot of parties here. The house serves him well. Although, I admit, now that Georgina lives here, it feels much less like a ‘venue’ and more like an actual home.”
“I didn’t realize Georgina lives here. Wow. That was fast.”
Amalia nods. “It was. But I have no doubt it’s a wonderful thing for them both.”
“How fast did she move in?”
“That’s personal, I think, Adrian.”
“Sorry.”
“That’s okay, dear.” She pats my hand and smiles.
“Just tell me one thing. Was it faster than a month?”
Amalia’s dark eyes sparkle. “Yes, it was.”
“Whoa.”
Amalia lifts a brow and sips her tea, almost like she’s acknowledging she just “spilled the tea” about Reed and Georgina. Or maybe my drunken brain is imagining that little sass in Amalia’s expression.
I ask, “Do you live here with Reed and Georgina?”
“During the week, yes, unless there’s a big party or event on the weekend, like today. I have a place of my own, where my children and grandchildren come for dinner on Sundays.”
“I bet you’re an amazing grandma. What do your grandchildren call you?”
“Abuelita. Or Abu, for short.”
“I love Abu. It’s like the monkey in Aladdin. Can I call you that, too?”
She flashes me a smile that makes me blush. “I would love that, Adrian.”
“Cool.” I sip my tea again. “Hey, Abu. If you ever get sick of Reed—because, come on, there’s a lot to get sick of there—then will you come work for me? Don’t let anyone else hire you away from me, okay? Once you kick Reed to the curb, you’re mine.”
She flashes me a chastising look. “Don’t speak ill of my Reed, Adrian. I love him from the depths of my soul.”
“Yeah, but you have to know he’s a prickly motherfucker.”
“Adrian.”
I flash my most charming smile and by the look on her face, I know she can’t resist me.
“Where would I work for you, anyway? I’m a housekeeper, remember? And you just got finished telling me you don’t even have a house.”
“I’d buy one, so you could keep it for me, my beautiful Abu.”
“Oh, my. What an honor. But, like I said, I love Reed with all my heart. He’s like a son to me and I’ll never work for anyone else.”
“Aw, come on, dude. Never say never. Even if you love Reed, you never know what might happen in life. And I’ve got lots to offer you.”
“Like what?”
“Well, like I said, I have the maturity of an eighteen-year-old. What grandma could resist taking care of someone like that?”
She giggles. “You’re quite the salesman.”
“Also, I’m amazing at singing grandmas to sleep. Has Reed ever done that for you?”
“No, I can’t say he has.”
“Ha! Also, I’ll happily play gin rummy with you, or any other boring card game. And I’ll even suffer through watching Sing Your Heart Out with you, if that’s your jam.”
“No wonder Mimi adores you, with all that to offer. And no wonder Sing Your Heart Out hired you to replace Hugh. I can tell you’re quite the charmer, my dear.”
“Yeah, I can turn it on like a light switch when I want to impress someone.” I wink.
“Clearly. Do the powers that be at Sing Your Heart Out know they’ve hired a judge who has to ‘suffer through’ watching their show?”
“They sure do. It’s why they wanted me so badly. ‘Cause I’m too cool for school.”
“I see.”
“A little secret, Abu? Everyone wants what they can’t have.”
“Ah. Well, aren’t you smart.”
I tap my temple.
“Is your grandmother excited about you being on the show?”
“She’s ecstatic. It’s her all-time favorite show. She even watches reruns, for reasons that escape me.”
“I watch them, too. They’re on every night after Jeopardy.”
I laugh. “But why watch reruns of a singing competition, when you already know who won that season?”
“I like already knowing the outcome and seeing how my favorite contestants blossomed throughout the season. And in later seasons, I absolutely love watching Aloha being her sassy little self. She’s my all-time favorite judge.”
“You mean besides me.”
“You haven’t been on the show yet. Once you’ve appeared on the show, then, yes, you’ll become my new favorite.”
“Thanks, Abu. Unless, of course, my girlfriend edges me out. Something tells me Laila’s gonna give me a run for my money this season. She has a way of making people fall hard for her.”
Amalia puts down her mug, her face contorting with affection for me. “You two make a beautiful couple. In a way, you remind me of Reed and Georgina. You’re both so attractive together. Two obviously strong-willed individuals who seem so sweet together.”
