“Too bad, I only have one sister. You’re coming.”
“And I only have one best friend, what’s the point in doing this?”
There was my problem. She stood, glaring at me. My sister, the hermit. It made things like this a challenge.
“Charli will be there, too.” I finished my chocolaty drink, rinsed the cup, and set it on the rack. “It’ll be fun. You’ll see,” I said, taking my phone from my pocket and summoning Lyft. The app showed me five minutes to arrival. I hurried to the living room and picked up my backpack. “I gotta dash and visit my seniors.”
“See? That’s what I mean.” Ila shook her head, handing me the plastic container of gingersnaps.
I pushed it into my bag. “Hey, I like my seniors. Sis, they’re lonely. These visits brighten their day, and the stories they regale me with of their youth is payment enough.”
Ila pulled me into a tight hug. “You have a good heart, Ray.”
“I love you, too.” And because I hadn’t done it in a while, I licked her cheek. She reared back, scrunching her face. “Must you?” she grumbled, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
I grinned and pivoted for the door. “Absolutely. I’ll see you tomorrow—”
“Wait-wait-wait!” she yelled, rushing to the sideboard in the dining area, then returning with the furry, neon-orange Mr. Slithery. “Here’s your snake.”
I laughed and took the serpent Jack had won for me, hugging the silly thing close. And with a wave, I rushed out.
My phone in my hand beeped with a text. Denise.
Girlfriend, where did you disappear to?
I snorted.I’m around.
Denise:So, what happened? Did you and Calum???
I hesitated. Man, that seemed like years ago. What the hell. I typed back.No, me and Jack did.
Denise:WHAAAT?!! Damn. I called it, didn’t I?
I laughed.Sure.
Denise:How was it?
Grinning, I typed back.He blew my mind across several states…
* * *
It was just past three in the afternoon when I walked into the mansion in Sea Cliff. My twice-weekly visits with Chuck and the three other seniors had started early today, and time had slipped by rapidly. Chuck had been relieved to hear that the “old reprobate”—aka, Nigel—was doing better.
The elegant pale gray marble foyer decked with potted plants and a large wall mural in tonal hues, welcomed me. A winding staircase on the left side of the foyer, with the gorgeous black, leafy-metal balustrade, meandered upstairs. A door on the far right led into the formal living room. The corridor beyond the stairs opened to the study, the billiard room, a TV lounge, the kitchen, and dining room and flowed out to the spacious terrace overlooking the beach.
It still felt strange to be living here. Maybe in a few days, I’d feel more settled.
Nigel should be finished with his noon tea, and I couldn’t wait to see him. But, Lord, I was hungry. I made a quick pitstop in the kitchen to grab a bite.
Marcy Malcolm looked up from pounding dough on the counter. As the housekeeper, her personal rooms were attached to the kitchen. I knew there were two other maids, but they lived outside of the mansion.
“Ray, you’re back.” A smile graced her pale face. She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. “I’ll get you something to eat.”
“Oh no, don’t worry, I can—”
“Yes, I must,” she cut me off. “You’ve put a smile on Mr. Griffin’s face. And Mr. Jack? I’ve known him since he was a little boy. It’s the first time I’ve seen him relaxed. Happy. Would you like lunch in the dining room?”
I stood there, gaping at her. What did she mean it was the first time she’d seen Jack happy? “No, just a snack.”
