“What are you two whispering about?”
This time it’s Nan who waves me off as she brings her tea to her lips again. “Just the mumblings of some old women, dear. How was your trip?”
“It was?—”
My phone chimes from my duffle bag and Kara’s eyes light up. She knows the only people, aside from her, who text me are work colleagues or the people I’m hooking up with. Ironically, the person who is most likely the cause of that damned chirp is two of those things. We share a silent exchange where I’m trying hard to say ‘don’t you dare,’ and her face is bright with a devilish grin. The text tone rings out again.
“Is someone going to check that?” Henrietta prods.
Kara scrambles off her foot rest, practically tripping over the edge of the rug. “I’ll get it for you.”
“That’s okay,” I cry out, lunging for her and falling short. I land on the floor with a grunt. “I’ll check it later.”
My dismissal is ignored and Kara slips my phone out of the pocket on my duffle. Even though I know she can’t read the message—thank god for biometrics—the look on her face proves she doesn’t need to see the contents.
“My god, Lottie,” Nan chuckles. “Are you alright?”
I blush and Kara drops my phone into my palm. Sure enough, Noah’s name pops up—the message appearing as my phone unlocks.
Noah
Is it later yet?
It’s been ten minutes. Maybe fifteen. The smile breaking across my cheeks betrays me and Kara squeals.
“Just tell us already, dammit. I can’t take it anymore.”
Twirling on the floor and sitting up, I take a deep breath. The three women beaming down at me all lean forward.
“I forgot my sweater in his car.”
“Sure you did. After he stripped it off you.”
“Kara.”
“Whatever. You’ll tell me later.” She turns to Nan and Henrietta with a wink “Don’t worry ladies, we’re bonded now. I’ll fill you in.”
They all chuckle and I scowl. “I knew leaving you all for the weekend was a bad idea. Remind me to never do it again.”
“I hope you intend to bring him to our party next week,” Nan says, ignoring my denial. “I’d like to meet the man who has you glowing like this.”
“I’m not glowing. What party?”
“That’s what we were discussing when you got home,” Kara explains.
Henrietta chimes in next. “The apartment across the hall from mine is vacant and Nan is moving in! We’re having a housewarming party.”
After the news with the storefront, this is a welcome surprise. I scoot across the floor towards Nan and take her hand, giving it a good squeeze.
“This is great news. I’m relieved they finally got back to us.”
“It’s normal news,” she says. “People move all the time.”
A typical Nan response if I’ve ever heard one. Kara snorts and I join in with a laugh, addressing my surrogate grandma.
“Remember when you retired and Bitsy wanted to throw you a party but you refused and had the locks changed?”
“Yes, and yet you still managed to pull off a ridiculous affair. A bunch of needless hullabaloo.”
