He’s two tables down, apparently pulled in to make numbers even, which I’m attempting to actively ignore. And speaking of ignoring, he’s completely ignoring whatever Kayla is saying to him at their table.
“So who is she?” Decker asks.
“Oh my god, did you sit with me because you want to hit on an old lady and think I’ll just give up the scoop? I’m off gossip, remember.”
He cracks up.
Fair.
I was totally giving him shit. “I hear she’s Mr. Cartwright’s grandmother,” I murmur.
“You hear?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“With what degree of certainty?”
“Given what we all know about genetics…”
“She was in his life as his grandmother, correct?” Decker clarifies.
“Correct.”
“And you’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“As in, she was the woman in that picture in Grandpa’s yearbook that I found?”
“Mm. I assume so.”
“Why’s she here?”
“She got on a plane and flew here from wherever she’s from?”
“Sabrina.”
“Time!” Iris calls. “Everyone move. No, this way.Lucky.Other way. There you go. Mrs. Hammerbach has you all flustered, doesn’t she? Talk as soon as you sit. We’re not giving time for moving tables from here on out.”
“Did you do that?” Decker asks while he rises.
“Introduce Lucky to his kindergarten teacher? No. Also no to setting the rules for tonight.”
“We’re talking later about why Grandpa disappeared after makingI’m seeing a ghosteyes at the new old hottie in town andwhy you didn’t tell me you called her. Don’t deny it. I know you did.”
“Get moving, Decker, or people will think you’re asking for my phone number.”
He makes a face and dives for the table in the next row, settling in across from Devi.
Walter Blunderman, whom I’ve known since he used to yell at Laney, Emma, and me anytime we got too loud in our treehouse, since his property bumped up against Grandma and Grandpa’s yard, eases his way into the seat Decker’s just abandoned.
Grey is taking the seat at the table beside me.
Dammit. I was hoping they’d move the other way.
“Hi, Mr. Blunderman,” I say with fake cheer. “Bad arthritis night?”
“Getting better. That herbal tea Fiona whipped up for me made it a lot worse, so I’m doing better since I’m off it. You still know too much about everybody and their brother?”
