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“Point taken,” I concede. “I’m sure you already guessed this—Brooklyn, this is my nephew, Jeremy.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Jeremy says.
Brooklyn is smiling. She looks at me. I shrug.
“I guess we’re both in good company then,” Brooklyn says. “Carter talks about you often.”
“I hope she hasn’t said too much,” Jeremy says.
“Nothing that would embarrass you. Yet.”
Jeremey laughs. “Just remember, Auntie, I have a few stories that can make you blush.”
Don’t remind me. And don’t tell them to Brooklyn.
“Is that so?” Brooklyn asks.
“All right. That’s enough,” I tell them.
I catch Jeremy winking at Brooklyn. I’d better not leave them unsupervised. God only knows what he might let slip. He possesses almost as much ammunition as Ali.
“Why don’t you join us?” Jeremy invites Brooklyn to the conversation.
“I don’t want to bother you.”
“Bother us?” Jeremy laughs. “I think we’re probably bothering you.”
“Not at all. I’m at a stopping point,” Brooklyn says.
“Do you need me?” I ask.
“I do. We can finish another time.”
Jeremy gets up from the table. “Hey, I’m here for another week,” he tells Brooklyn. “Don’t let me get in your way.”
“You’re not in anyone’s way,” I tell him. “How about a compromise? I’ll skip off with Brooklyn for a bit, and then maybe we can convince Brooklyn to join us for dinner.”
“What do you say?” Jeremy asks Brooklyn.
“I don’t know,” Brooklyn replies. She looks at me. “Are any sharp instruments involved?”
I roll my eyes. “Not unless you order steak—no. We’re headed to Old Saybrook for dinner at the harbor.”
“It sounds terrific, but I have to get the train back to the city from New Haven.”
“Stay here,” Jeremy says.
Brooklyn and I both spin our heads in his direction.
“What did I say? You’ve got three bedrooms,” he reminds me.
Yes, I do. “Don’t put Brooklyn on the spot,” I warn him. I turn to Brooklyn. “But you’re welcome to crash here. He’s right. I have two bedrooms I never use.”
“Unless I’m here,” Jeremy adds.
Brooklyn wants to accept our offer. I can tell she does. I can also tell she’s hesitant.
“I could call my sister and see if she’d mind if I crash there tonight. I could take a morning train,” Brooklyn says.
