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“He had a plan. He always has a plan,” she murmurs, smiling at an older couple as they pass, the woman’s arm tucked in her partners just like we are. That’s going to be us one day. Silver haired, still sexy, arm in arm. “And he won you that jacket one night?”
I grin, remembering Ransom’s face the night he came home with that jacket…and more. “Not exactly. He was on his way back from a game, pockets stuffed full of cash, when this dude pulled a knife, ready to roll him. Ransom being Ransom of course didn’t respond well. We weren’t working out in a dojo back then, but Ransom’s always been vicious when he needs to be. And that night, knowing he had all of us back home needing clothes and food, he snapped on the guy. Came home with all of his clothes, and the knife.”
Bree laughs, blonde hair lifting in the breeze, eyes sparkling. “All of his clothes? He just left the guy out there naked?” I laugh and nod, imagining it. I wonder what ever happened to him. Did he learn his lesson and go straight, or did he get better at picking his targets. “So Ransom gave you the jacket?”
“Fuck no. All of us wanted it. We were all young, but Colton’s shoulders were already too big for it. I had to fight it out with the rest of my brothers. Maverick got the guys motorcycle boots.”
“Does he still have those?”
“Nah. He wore those out fifteen years ago. He used to sleep in them.”
Bree’s laughter carries us into the lobby of our building. This has become our new Saturday tradition. Rain or shine, we wander down the waterfront to the coffee shop, talking the whole time. I’m still figuring out how to make her a good chai at home, but I’ve still got a ways to go. I might have to ask John for help.
“Oh my gosh,” Bree says softly. I drag my focus back to the lobby, wondering what’s happening. I spot Connie walking toward us on the arm of a very big dude. She smiles at me, and I wink, guiding Bree straight over to her.
Connie smiles up at me, giving me her hand. “Nicky,” she says, lifting her cheek for a kiss. I place a soft kiss on the apple of her cheek. She always smells so good, her perfume light and floral. Her signature scent she told me. Her late husband’s favorite.
“Connie,” I murmur, holding her hand. Looking at her, you’d never know she’s in her eighties, but the skin on her hand is thin and papery, betraying her age. There’s also a slight tremble to it that’s been there for the last year. I don’t want to think about what that tremble might mean.
“Connie, I’d like you to meet Bree.” I turn to Bree, and find her eyes locked on to Connie’s companion. She tears them away, focusing on Connie instead. “This is Mrs. Constance McCauley. She lives on the sixteenth floor, and she’s my other girlfriend. I never intended for the two of you to meet, but here we are. And I’m sorry, but you’re just going to have to accept that, at least at tea time.”
Connie purses her lips, and I grin in anticipation. She doesn’t disappoint. “The boy just can’t get enough of my cookie…s.” That’s my girl. Eighty years old, and still a little dirty. My favorite thing about her. And she’s right, her cookies are phenomenal.
Bree’s laughing, but the man with Connie looks scandalized, which is a weird look on a man who looks like he was raised eating nails for breakfast. “Grandma!” he says.
Connie rolls her eyes and pats his hand. “Forgive him. Someone inserted a stick up his ass at birth, and so far, the doctors have been unable to dislodge it.”
Connie’s sharp gaze travels over Bree and I, and a little smile plays at the corner of her lips. “I guess I’m out of luck,” she murmurs. I raise a brow, and her grin grows into a full smile. “I had hopes for Bree, but I see that I’ll have to look elsewhere.”
Gently tugging her hand from mine, she holds it out to Bree, who pulls her hand from my arm and takes it gently. “I’ve heard all about you dear. Nicky’s been singing your praises for months, telling about how wonderful you were, and how good you were at your job. I must admit, when I sent my Gabe there, I hoped that you would help him, but I also hoped that a little something else might develop. But I see that you’re already taken.”
I’m a little lost, but Bree chuckles. “He told me his grandmother booked the appointment.”
“Wait…what?”
Connie takes pity on me. “Gabriel is my grandson. He had a terrible accident a year ago, and he needed some help…healing. The way you talked about your Bree, I thought she might just the person to help him. And I was right, of course.”
She turns to Bree, and tightens her grip, eyes glassy with tears. “I thought I was going to lose him. That accident took him away. His heart was still beating, but he wasn’t himself anymore. But you brought him back to life.”
Connie’s grandson Gabe, the man with the iron face, finally shows some emotion, covering his grandmother's hand, the one on the sleeve of his jacket with his. “I’m okay now Grandma, I promise.”
“I know that,” she says crisply. “I just said it, didn’t I?”
Bree and I laugh, and she looks up at Gabe. “I’m really glad I could help.”
He studies her, a look in his eye I don’t like. I’m tempted to pull Bree under my arm and make sure he reins that shit in, when he opens his dumb mouth. “Now I see why you said no to going out with me. I was obviously working with some bad information.”
I fucking knew it. The asshole put the moves on my girl. Bree just smiles and shakes her head. Connie looks between them and sighs. “I really thought she was my chance.”
“Chance for what?” Bree asks.
“To marry one of them off. I have five grandsons. Five! And not one of them are married. No women, no babies. At this rate, I won’t live to see any of them settled. They’re all too busy traipsing around the world.”
Gabe’s the one rolling his eyes now. “You’re very dramatic this morning Grandma.”
She shoots him a look that has me coughing into my hand to cover my laugh. Gabe clears his throat and stands straighter. “Sorry Grandma.”
Connie sniffs and gives him one more glare, then turns to me with a smile. “I’ll expect to see you Tuesday. Bring your lovely Bree too. I’d very much like to get to know her.” She turns to Bree, “And you young lady, thank you. Again. And I very much hope you will join us for our weekly tea.”
