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“To protect you from the Hartleys.”
“No, I mean—why him?”
“You really need to hear it?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I hired Hunter because someone who loves you will protect you best.”
Wonderful.
My cheerleader would keep this up until I stood at the aisle with the caveman.
“We’re over, and we’re not getting back together. Now, what’s going on with the Hartleys?”
“There was a mistake in the legal papers.”
“What legal papers?”
“Grace, sweetheart, let your brothers take care of the paperwork. They’re the lawyers.”
I sighed. “And how’s Dad feeling?”
“They’ve increased his dialysis to four times per week, and he still insists on working.”
“He’ll die in that office. Make him come home.”
“We just moved his office back home, so heishome, and he’s driving me crazy. I miss you, Grace. I’m sorry I can’t come tomorrow, but I’ll see you after the weekend. We need to speak in person.”
“About the Hartleys?”
“Yes, about them as well.”
“All right. I’ll see you after the weekend, Mom. I love you.”
We hung up, and I took my video call from the salon. The place was a mess, but Frankie took the lead, and the plan he’d laid out was drafted to perfection. My manager needed a promotion and a raise. After the call, I replied to emails and shopped for new store supplies online. My fertility app clicked on the screen for an update, and I slouched in my seat. What was the point of updating on nothing? I was getting my period in a few days and would return to the calendar then.
In the afternoon, I picked some roses from the garden and made four bouquets. Hunter moved his laptop and tray of nuts to the outside patio, from where he watched me. I made a margarita pizza, and Hunter devoured half before it cooled. By evening, I found him snoring on the living room couch. He stirred when I covered him with a blanket.
“Everything okay?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” I said.
“What time is it?”
“Ten-thirty. I’m going to bed. Will you come upstairs?”
“Yeah, I’m coming.”
He sat up and pulled the blanket aside. His joggers tented as he stood up, and I looked away. He followed me upstairs to the bedroom, turning off into the washroom. He shed his joggers before closing the door, and I stole a glimpse before slipping underneath the covers. I listened to the running shower and pictured the running water over his new body. We’d showered together so many times before, and I’d seem him naked countless times. Except, he had a different body now, and he was a different man. A man I could finally trust.
* * *
Music blasted,and a hum of cheery conversation carried through the court. The organizers had set up a tent with rows of tables filled with food. My aunt’s sexy manservants walked around in their tuxedos and shorts, carrying trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Bev had ordered an inflatable water slide and a bunch of other water toys. By evening, we’d move the party to her backyard, and the replica of Hugh Hefner’s pool.
I glanced over to the north corner, where my girlfriends were gathered by the tiki bar, and adjusted the leis around my neck.
“Are you nervous?” Hunter asked.
