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“Maybe some water, son,” she says, swinging the sword around with a battle cry. I run off to my kitchen.
A few minutes later, Emma joins me in the kitchen, a satisfied look on her face. “So those are the brothers?”
“They are. Sorry they’re a little wound up tonight,” I apologize, handing her a glass of water.
“Don’t worry about it. I helped raise six girls. You don’t know what chaos is until they’re all trying to use the bathroom at the same time.” I snort a laugh, picturing Lexi and her sisters all fighting to get into the bathroom to get ready for school.
“It’s awfully quiet in there. I should go check on them.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. Jack is in the shower and Jeff is reading a book.”
I blink once, twice, multiple times, trying to process what she just said. “Excuse me? You got Jack in the shower? And Jeff to…read?”
“Of course, Grandma did!” She takes a few steps until she’s standing practically right in front of me. She glances around conspiratorially before whispering, “The key is to make them think it was their idea. I asked the boys what they were supposed to do before bed, and the next thing you know, they’re offering to read and shower.”
Rubbing my head, I reply, “I have so much to learn.”
“You’ll do just fine,” she says, patting my hand. The knowing look in her eyes makes me wonder if maybe she knows about Lexi’s and my arrangement. And that would make sense. Lexi’s very close to her family, so why wouldn’t she discuss having a baby with me?
“Would you like to stay for a bit?” I ask as she heads towards the door.
“No, my Orvie is waiting on me. He took one of his little blue pills, so I’m on the clock to get home,” she adds, checking her watch.
I follow her to the door, and hold it open. “Thanks for stopping by.”
She gazes up at me with kind, smiling eyes. “Link, you’re a good man. Keep making my granddaughter happy and everything will fall into place.” She reaches up, grabs me around the neck, and pulls me down towards her lips. I think she’s going to place one of those grandmotherly kisses on the cheek, but no. Not Emma.
Lexi’s grandma presses her lips against mine, rendering me completely speechless and immobile. She pulls away quickly, a satisfied smirk on her face before throwing me a wave over her shoulder. “Tata!”
Then she’s gone, leaving behind the scent of sugar cookies and mothballs.
I shake my head, trying to get the image of Emma’s liplock out of my head. It was innocent, sure, but still. It’s my girl’s eighty-one-year-old grandma. Not exactly something I want to think about. Ever.
Instead, I take a quick moment to enjoy the silence and check my phone. There’s a message from Lexi, who is working late tonight at the salon.
Lexi: A client just asked me to trim his nose hairs. They were so long, they looked like they were climbing out of his nose and waving at me.
Linkin: Makes note to grow out nose hairs. It drives Lexi wild.
Lexi: You know it. *smiley winky face*
And before I can reply, she sends me another message.
Lexi: I’ll be done in fifteen. I’m getting ready to blow dry my last appointment.
Linkin: And you’re coming here?
Lexi: Are the boys there?
Linkin: Are you using me to get close to the boys?
Lexi: Definitely. It’s not every day a boy professes his love before slaying his brother with a sword.
Linkin: True. Jack has me beat there. Maybe I need a better sword.
Lexi: No, you’re sword is pretty amazing. It’s my favorite of all swords.
Linkin: Good to know. My sword will be very excited to see you.
