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“You have to help me with Kane.”
Guilt surfaced again. “I’ve always supported you.”
She beamed. “I knew you came back for me.” The wine bottle clinked against her glass as she refilled it. “If Grandma Josephine had left me something, I wouldn’t be so desperate. But I can’t lose my life. It’s already humiliating enough with the divorce.”
I shifted uncomfortably. We were such different people. I didn’t need this place, but I treasured it. Felt connected to the walls. Just like our grandmother had. Alma lived like a spoiled queen and could certainly keep up her way of living through Dad’s inheritance alone. Was that why Grandma Josephine left me this place? Did she know that Alma would only ever want it for the money alone? Even though Alma was much wealthier on paper, sometimes I wondered if I was wealthier in heart.
Abruptly, she stood. “Come with me to Mommy’s.” Wine sloshed over the rim of the glass to the rug.
Had she already been drinking?
“I can’t.” I rushed to the kitchen to grab a towel to clean up the spill.
Alma plopped back down. “Fine. We’ll have dinner here. Let’s order Francisco’s.”
Naturally, she’d want the most expensive restaurant in the city.
I dabbed at the wet rug, grateful it was white wine and not too much.
I could eat tomorrow.
I swayed from my stooped position, nearly falling to my behind.
What time is it?
Panic zinged through me like a pinball. Kane would be here... he’d said nine o’clock but he was a loose cannon.
Alma already had her phone pressed to her ear, the restaurant undoubtedly on speed dial.
I grabbed her arm.
“What is wrong with you?” She looked down where my fingers clasped her.
“I can’t have dinner. I have a meeting.”
“It’s nearly eight thirty. You go to bed in half an hour.” She narrowed her gaze. “You don’t have a meeting.”
“It’s with a group in—” I mentally tracked through time zones trying to settle on one that sounded reasonable. “Hong Kong.”Quick thinking, JoJo.It was a decent hour there.
She poked out her bottom lip. “You always put your foundation ahead of me.”
“If I’d known you were coming over, I could’ve rearranged.” I tried to keep patience in my tone. Being expected to drop everything for Alma was nothing new.
“I’ll order anyway. We can eat while you have your meeting.”
“No,” I said quickly. I cleared my throat. “Um, I don’t know how long it will last. And it will bore you.”
“Fine. Don’t spend time with me.” She polished off her wine and stood again.
“Alma.” I tugged on her arm. “I’ve missed you.”
“Doesn’t seem like it,” she huffed.
“I have,” I insisted. “Tell me when you have time, and we’ll spend some together.”
She perked up a little. “Are you sure you won’t have a meeting?”
I kissed her cheek. “Pretty sure.”
