“You told me once that marriage has historically been a business arrangement,” Anica said, turning to me. “And you’re not wrong. But even business arrangements work better when there’s mutual respect and genuine affection.”
The conversation was veering into territory that made me uncomfortable. I cleared my throat. “Speaking of business arrangements, Gram, how’s the foundation?”
Gram shot me a look that said she knew exactly what I was doing but would allow it. For now. “Thriving, despite the board’s best efforts to drown every initiative in red tape. We’re funding a new after-school program in Queens.”
The conversation shifted to safer ground, but I noticed Gram watching Anica with that particular look she got when she was calculating something.
After dinner, I excused myself to take a work call that was actually legitimate for once. When I returned, Anica and Gram were nowhere to be found in the dining room.
“They’ve adjourned to the parlor, sir,” Norbert informed me with his usual telepathy. “Madam is showing Ms. Marcel the family jewelry collection.”
Oh, Christ. The jewelry collection meant one thing: Gram was going full matchmaker. The family jewelry only came out when she was sizing someone up for potential daughter-in-law status.
I approached the parlor quietly, not quite willing to interrupt whatever was happening but too curious to stay away. Their voices drifted through the partially open door.
“—quite beautiful,” Anica was saying. “The craftsmanship is extraordinary.”
“My husband had excellent taste in jewelry,” Gram replied. “It was one of his few redeeming qualities, along with his ability to make money and his spectacular backside. The latter of which, I’m pleased to say, Callan inherited.”
I nearly swallowed my tongue.
“I wouldn’t know,” Anica said quickly. “That’s not something I’ve... noticed.”
“Of course not, dear,” Gram’s voice dripped with disbelief. “What do you think of him? Really?”
I froze, knowing I should walk away but unable to make my feet move.
“I think he’s...” Anica paused. “More complex than he appears.”
“Most people are,” Gram agreed. “But Cal particularly so. He reminds me of his grandfather in some ways. Stubborn outside, marshmallow inside. But he’s plenty smarter, and his heart isn’t rotten like my ex’s was. My Cal has a golden heart, but of course, I’m biased.”
“He’s certainly... surprising,” Anica admitted. “The baking, the kindness to his assistant when her mother was ill, the way he talks about you...”
“He’s a good boy,” Gram said simply. “Too smart for his own good sometimes, and allergic to genuine emotion, but a good boy nonetheless.”
Their voices dropped lower, and I retreated before I could be caught eavesdropping like some lovesick teenager. I returned to the dining room and made enough noise to announce my presence before heading to the parlor.
“There you are,” I said, pushing the door open. “Plotting world domination?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, darling,” Gram said, closing the jewelry box. “We’ve moved well past plotting to the implementation phase. Your wedding planner has some excellent ideas about restructuring global finance.”
“I was just admiring your grandmother’s collection. She has exquisite taste.”
“The emeralds would look lovely with your coloring,” Gram observed casually. “Wouldn’t they, Cal?”
“I’m not falling for that trap,” I replied, though I couldn’t help but picture the deep green stones against Anica’s skin. “It’s getting late, and I’m sure Ms. Marcel has had enough Burkhardt family time for one evening.”
“Nonsense,” Gram waved dismissively. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of your embarrassing childhood stories.”
“At least you acknowledge that you’re doing it on purpose. But that’s exactly why we should leave,” I said, putting my hands in my pockets and leaning against the wall. “Before you get to the high school prom incident.”
“Oh, but that’s one of my favorites,” Gram protested.
“Another time,” I promised, though I had no intention of ever allowing such a conversation. “We should let Anica get home. She has a busy day tomorrow.”
“Planning your wedding to a bride who doesn’t exist yet?” Gram asked innocently.
I shot her a warning look, which she ignored like she’d been ignoring my warnings for decades.
