Gladys gave me a look that said she didn’t believe me, but before she could dig deeper, her face shifted into one of those concerned, motherly looks. “By the way, how are Topher’s headaches? Josephine’s been so worried about them lately.”
My stomach flipped.Headaches?What was I supposed to say? “He’s feeling better every day.” Hopefully, I didn’t sound completely clueless.
Gladys tilted her head, one eyebrow creeping upward in skepticism. “Hmm, well, that’s good to hear.” She leaned in, lowering her voice like she was about to reveal the juiciest gossip of the century. “You know, Topher was arealmath nerd when he was in high school. I’m talking calculators in his pockets and spreadsheets for fun. I mean, no offense, but I didn’t think he had it in him to snag someone likeyou.” She paused, giving me another dramatic once-over. “Honestly, I was starting to think I’d never see a girl walk through this door unless she was getting tutored.”
I let out an awkward laugh, trying to deflect. “Well, I guess people can surprise you…”
“Oh,yousure did.” Gladys wagged her finger like she’d solved a mystery. “I’m telling you, no one ever thought Topher would bring a woman home. And here you are, staying in his mom’s house. So, what’s the story? How’d you two meet?”
“Oh, you know, we just... bumped into each other.” I tried to sound casual while my brain scrambled for a distraction. “So, um, how long have you lived next door?”
Gladys stared for a beat too long, but she went along with the subject change. “Oh, long enough to know Topher’s never been the relationship type. Until you, that is. I’m guessing a proposal’s coming soon, huh?”
I nearly choked on air.Proposal?We weren’t even a real couple!
I let out a nervous laugh, trying to maintain my composure. “Uh, we’re not there yet. We’re just, you know, still in the getting-to-know-each-other phase.”
Gladys’s mouth twitched, somewhere between amusement and disbelief. “Honey, I’ve lived here long enough to know when something’s serious. And trust me, it’sserious.You’ll be picking out wedding venues before you know it. I can already see you in white!”
Just as I was about to die of nervous laughter, the front door swung open, and in strolled Topher, looking slightly out of breath. “Gladys, always a pleasure,” he said, pulling her into a quick, polite hug. “But no time to chat. Busy day, you know how it is.”
Gladys didn’t miss a beat, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Oh, I’m sure it’s busy with all theromancein the air.” She gave me a knowing look that made my stomach tighten.
Topher barely blinked. “Right, busy with that and, you know, work. But we’ve got to run because we’re heading to visit my mom at the hospital.”
Gladys’s face lit up. “So, when did you two first realize it was love?”
Topher plastered on a tight smile and completely ignored her question. “It’s been great to see you. Thanks so much for the muffins, Gladys.”
He reached for the container, clearly hoping to do a clean handoff and escort her to the door in one graceful maneuver.
But Gladys was faster.
“Oh, I’ll just pop them in the kitchen for you,” she chirped, sidestepping him like she’d been dodging slick moves since before he was born.
Before either of us could protest, she was off to the kitchen. Topher turned to me, eyes narrow. “Why did you let her in?”
I glared right back. “She had akey, Topher! What was I supposed to do, tackle her?”
He threw his hands up in silent exasperation. “I leave you alone for a few hours, and suddenly, my mom’s nosy neighbor has moved in.”
I snorted. “Oh, like you’ve been the model host. Where were you? Oh, right, at yourmansion.”
His eyes flicked to the kitchen. “She said she was just going to drop off the muffins, but she’s been in there for a while… What is shedoing?”
We both craned our necks to listen, but all we could hear were faint clinks and rustling. I raised an eyebrow at Topher. “You think she’s rearranging the silverware? Because it sounds like she’s rearranging the silverware.”
A thud followed the series of clinks. Gladys’s voice floated out cheerfully, “Oopsie!”
Topher pinched the bridge of his nose. “You were the one who let her in.”
“For the millionth time, she had akey. I didn’t let her in. Shematerialized.”
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Gladys reemerged from the kitchen, looking pleased with herself. “All set! You two enjoy those muffins now.” She winked.
Topher crossed his arms. “What was that thud we heard?”
“Oh, that?” Gladys waved her hand dismissively. “I was just searching through your mother’s cabinets for some Saran Wrap to cover the muffins. It’s like a scavenger hunt in there—stuff crammed everywhere! I found the Saran Wrap all the way in the back, behind what appeared to be a jar of expired pickles. I had to pull out half your mom’s Tupperware to get to it. That was the thud. But don’t worry, I reorganized a little!Anywhoodle, muffins are safe now, wrapped tight. You’re welcome!”
