I nod. “I really am.”
Olivia’s mouth lifts up on one side. “I saw that wholeLet me show you how to bowlmove. Classic.” I snort and elbow her.
Charlie and Wes are standing by Wes’s truck, and the rest of the family is next to Graham’s SUV. Olivia pulls me to Wes’s truck.
He opens the passenger door and asks me, “Ready to go?”
“I sure am.”
“Good news,” Olivia says. “Weonly have to work a couple of hours this morning, then Papa is giving us the afternoon off so we can go with Nonna to get her hair and nails done for tonight’s party.”
This perks me up. “Are we just hanging out with her while she gets pampered, or do we get pampered, too?”
Olivia’s eyes light up. “He said as long as we don’t blab to all the other cousins, he’s treating us, too. I told him we know we’re the favorites and we’ve kept that info locked down foryears. No need to start worrying about us talking now.”
I slide out of the bed. “Not going to lie, a pedicure sounds pretty fantastic right about now. But you know Nonna’s going to put up a fight.”
“She already is, which is why Papa is sending us with her. Otherwise, he doesn’t think she’ll go.”
When we get to the kitchen, Nonna is at the sink. I check out the board, not surprised when I see:
“Happy birthday, Nonna!” I say. She spins around from the sink, and Olivia and I give her giant hugs. “Do you know who he’s setting me up with?”
She shakes her head. “I have no idea. But it should be interesting!”
We grab muffins off a platter on the bar, then head to Olivia’s car.
It’s slow at the shop. Painfully so. Olivia has ditched me and is walking through the greenhouse with Drew. I’m sure they’re making out behind the azaleas. Papa has Wes and Charlie busy out back, deciding which plants are going to be used as decorations for the party tonight.
My phone dings with a text from Margot. I’ve been careful not to bug her, since she’s got so much going on, but I’ve really missed talking to her.
MARGOT:Good news! They started reducing the amount of oxygen Anna was getting from the vent last night and right now she’s only getting 25% from the machine and she’s doing great! Hopefully the tubes will be out tomorrow!
ME:THAT IS THE BEST NEWS!!!!!!
ME:I’m so relieved!!!
MARGOT:You have no idea. It’s awful to see your tiny little baby with so many machines attached to her
I wish I was there to hug her. And Anna, too.
MARGOT:So I hear you’re as bad as Nonna with the matchmaking
ME:This family has a serious gossiping problem
MARGOT:I hate we’re missing Nonna’s party. Any idea who Papa picked?
ME:No. And I’m a little concerned
Nonna walks through the front of the shop, her hands clasped in front of her.
“Well, I’ve got good news,” she squeals.
She must be waiting for a reaction from me, but we just stare at each other. Finally, she says, “I found your date for tomorrow night!”
“Just now?” I ask. “You’ve been at the nursing home visiting Gigi.”
“Yes, I know! Funny how things work out. It was meant to be.”
