Cooper has me throw on a sports jacket over the shirt Ryan told me to put on and claps his hands together loudly.
“I like this!”
“Oh, me too.”
Ryan forces me to turn and look in the full-length mirror on the wall. I’m annoyed that I look good. Before I say something, my brother’s smart watch beeps.
“Oh crap, Ray, we need to run. We told Grandma we’d visit this evening.”
Looking down at my clothes, I start taking off the jacket.
“No, do that later. And I’ll help you find some good pieces to buy that have the same look,” Cooper says, then adds, with a smirk, “I can tell you like how you look in that.”
Walking down the retirement home hallway, a family passes us, and Trevor turns to me with an obnoxious smile.
“That woman totally checked you out.”
“What?” I ask, turning to look behind me.
“No! Dammit Ray. Can’t you ever play it cool?” he says, laughing, “Anyway, it’s the clothing. Basic doesn’t turn heads. But this getup sure just did.”
We peek into Grandma's private room, but it’s empty. One of the physical therapists who worked with Grandma after last year’s surgery walks by us.
“She is probably in the Community Room with the others. I don't think their evening activity has finished yet.”
We thank her and head to the other side of the building. When we walk closer, we can hear a roomful of laughter.
“I totally just heard Grandma's laugh,” Trevor says.
I did as well. When we reach the entrance, I see dozens of residents watching a magician. Looking to the other side of the room, I see a worker I don't think I have met before. A tall, curvy, gorgeous woman with dark brown skin and short, black hair. She laughs with the residents, enjoying the magic show. Her face is absolutely glowing with joy.
No, I would have remembered meeting this staff member before. And now I have an urge to meet her as of yesterday.
Chapter Four
Artio
I am beyond thrilled to have found this magician for the home. He’s not only talented, but hilarious as well. The residents are laughing non-stop at his antics.
My boss, Davida, walks up to me during the middle of the performance.
“It’s become a weekly thing that you remind me about how smart I was to give you this promotion,” she says in her usual irreverent fashion.
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“Good.” she says, turning on her heel and walking over to interact with the residents.
I watch her move around to different seniors, quietly talking to them, and watch their faces light up. Seeing the joy around the room reminds me why I stay in Corvid Valley and why I put so much of myself into this job. I notice Mr. Johnson cracking up near the back of the room and a tear forms in my eye. He was on death’s door just a couple of months ago and now here he is, soaking in life.
Wiping the tear away, two men stepping into the doorway capture my attention. One wears a “Sounds Gay, I’m in” shirt that makes me swallow a snort. I let my eyes leave his brightly colored shirt to look at the man standing next to him, which causes me to take a sharp breath in, waking my pussy up from its deep slumber.
The other man stands maybe 6’ 3”, has shaggy gray hair with a hint of blond, and light-colored eyes. Stubble covers his face in that sexy way I love, and he’s smiling at the magician. Grabbing a look at my watch, I indicate to Brynn that our event needs to wrap up for dinner. Then I take it upon myself to greet the two strangers at the door.
“Hi, can I help you?” I ask when I walk over.
“Sorry, we’re just waiting for our grandma. We’re her dinner date tonight,” the younger looking man says.
“Oh wonderful. I’m not usually here at dinnertime. It’s nice seeing family come in to visit the residents. Who is your grandma?”
