“Donna, you look radiant today. That sweater brings out the color in your eyes.”
Grandma Donna’s cheeks flame, and she ducks her head. What the fuck?
“Thank you, Hector. That’s awfully nice of you to say.”
“How’s the Friendship Bench going?” he asks.
She looks up at him, excitement making her bolder. “I have my first appointments this afternoon!”
“Wonderful! You’ll have to let me know how it goes.”
She nods shyly. “I will.”
Meanwhile, Hal has taken a seat next to Grandma Nancy and has his elbow on the table, his face leaning into his hand, as he grins at her. I had no idea I was walking intoThe Golden Bachelortimes two.
I stand there, fascinated, the whole scene so bizarre I nearly forget my own drama.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, Nancy. If I’d known I was seeing you today, I would have cleaned up a bit more,” Hal says.
“There’s no cleaning you up, I’m afraid,” Grandma Nancy says. “An attitude like yours will always come to the surface…like an oily spot on silk.”
He puts his hand to his chest. “I’m so honored that you see me.”
A laugh bursts out of me, and all four look back to see who made the commotion. I step closer to their table.
“Um, hello. Good morning,” I say.
“Hello, dear!” Grandma Donna perks up. “We didn’t know we’d be seeing you here this morning.”
Hector tilts his head toward Bentley. “That guy’s been coming over constantly,” he mutters under his breath. “Can’t you give him more hours at the restaurant?”
I chuckle. “He’s already full-time, but yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”
Grandma Nancy pats the seat next to her. “Join us, Cammie.”
“Here you go,Cammie,” Juju calls.
I turn to look at the counter, where Juju is smirking. If you can smirk while also giving someone the stink eye. She slides the boxes across the counter and rattles off the total.
I pay and nod my thanks, certain I shouldn’t speak because I will most certainly blow it again.
I stop by my grandmas’ table again and grin. “I can’t stay, but it looks like you’re enjoying yourselves. Carry on.”
Grandma Nancy rolls her eyes in Hal’s direction but smiles at me, and Grandma Donna flushes.
“We won’t be long,” Grandma Donna says.
“I’ll put these stroopwafels in the kitchen so everyone can enjoy them,” I say as I lift the boxes.
Their eyes go wide, and Grandma Nancy flashes a knowing smile at me, which I ignore.
I turn to leave, with Hector asking if he can bring Grandma Donna tea.
“You deserve to be waited on,” he says.
“Oh, you don’t have to—” Grandma Donna says.
“I insist,” Hector says gallantly.
