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Mom chimed in. “You know I worry about you. We both worry about you on that death trap you call a bicycle. And it’ll be winter soon.”
Frank shifted to dig into his pocket. “I wanted to buy your mother a wedding present, but she had a better idea.” He held a small key fob aloft. “We decided to buy you a car.”
My jaw dropped as my mom bounded up. “Come one! Let’s go see.”
She dragged me outside and fluttered her arms like Vanna White to a small green car.
“It’s a Ford Mustang. And electric.” Frank pressed the key into my hand. “Go sit in it. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep it.”
I did what I was told and sat in the car, gingerly placing my hands on the steering wheel.
No one had ever bought me a car before. No one had ever bought me much of anything.
But this was a brand new car. I blinked back the stinging in my eyes.
“You look good, Gemmie,” Mom gushed, folding her fingers under her chin. “Do you love it?”
Still stunned into silence, I couldn’t answer, so Frank dropped into the passenger seat and explained all the controls and how to charge it. “Say something. Do you like it?” When I nodded like a marionette, his big laugh practically shook the small car, and he slapped his knee. “Good. You’ll keep it!”
After I offered them grateful hugs and kisses, my mom and Frank left me sitting in my new car and got into their own.
Frank stuck his head out of the driver’s side window. “We’re golfing tomorrow. Why don’t you come? Show off your new wheels.”
In a cloud of happiness and appreciation for a man who’d only ever treated me like his own daughter, I snapped out of my trance and nodded in agreement. “Yeah, all right. I’ll be there.”
Mom might have sprouted wings and flown away if not for her seat belt. “Oh, Gemmie, I’m so happy you’re happy.”
Frank winked. “Tee time is ten o’clock. We’ll see you there.”
Afraid to move, in case my gift would disappear if I got out, I stayed for a while, running my hands over the seats and dash. I snapped a few photos and sent them to the girls. This little electric dream didn’t solve all my problems, but it would save my thighs from continuing to chafe.
And that was something.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Jason
It was a beautiful Saturday, sunny without a cloud in the sky. The smell of fresh-cut grass floated on the breeze. A perfect day for a round of golf, if you liked that sort of thing, and I loved exactly that sort of thing.
What I didn’t love was having to feign interest in the country club gossip Frank and Caroline exchanged with their friends, but then Gemma strolled up. Much to my chagrin. After our kiss and the conversation that followed yesterday, I wasn’t sure where we stood: friends, mortal enemies, or otherwise. Although, she didn’t seem bothered by anything, her hair down and completely untamed with waves in every direction, T-shirt hanging off one shoulder, Aztec print shorts, and red Converse.
She waved to the group of mostly middle-aged golfers. “Hey. Where can I get an Arnold Palmer around here?”
I sucked my lips between my teeth to hide a growing grin as Caroline eased away from her friends, towing Gemma off to the side. “What’re you wearing? That is not proper golf attire.”
From under the shade of my baseball cap, I watched as Gemma shrugged. “I have a bra on.”
This time, I covered my laugh with a cough. “Excuse me,” I said when Frank paused mid-sentence to glance at me. “Swallowed the wrong way.”
“There’s a dress code here,” Caroline said, flapping her hand. “You can’t stroll in here like a farmer.”
“I doubt a farmer would wear this, Mom.”
“You need to get a new outfit.” Caroline pressed her hand to her temple, peeking over her shoulder, distress written all over her face as she spotted me. She waved me over. “Can youpleasehelp Gemma? She’ll need clothes and clubs. Put it on Frank’s tab.” Before I could answer one way or another, she pointed a warning finger at Gemma. “My friends are over there, and I don’t want them to see you dressed like that.” She motioned her thumb to the pro shop. “Go.”
Not wanting to rock the boat any further, I followed Gemma inside.
“That happen a lot?” I asked.
