Libby’s gaze shot back to Dan.“I’m guessing that guy isn’t your aunt Zeezee?”
“No.”
The Hulk’s hand slid down to squeeze Dan’s mom’s butt.
“Oh, my!”Libby slapped a hand over her mouth.
“Don’t you dare laugh.”
“I’m not… It’s just…you coming here?”Aw, man.She couldn’t help it.Giggles of shock and surprise escaped through her fingers.“You’ve gate-crashed your mom’s sexy time with her lover.”
“Don’t call him that.”
“But what else is he?And what do you think they’ve been doing together, just the two of them on vacation, on a tropical island?”
Go, Grandma!
Libby slapped a hand over her mouth again.
“It’s not funny.How would you feel if your mother turned up with a boyfriend practically the same age as you?”
“I’d sing hallelujah from the treetops.You don’t know my mother.Yours, however?Dude, she’s beautiful.I’d never be able to attract an Adonis like that when I’m thirty-five, let alone…what?Fifty?How old is your mom?”
“Fifty-five.”
“No way!She looks ah-mazing!”
But Dan just stood there, grinding his teeth together.Jeez.What was his problem now?So what if his mom had a younger lover?It wasn’t like his dad was…
Ah, right.
Those memories he’d spoken about at lunch… This was his family’s special place.
Libby grimaced.“Aren’t you gonna say hi?”
“No.”
“But that’s silly.Come on.She’s your mom.”She nudged his elbow, hoping to drag him out of his cave, but Karim had other ideas.
“Cars!Mamma, cars.”
“Not now, honey.We’ve got to go.”But he wiggled free, reaching for her bag on her shoulder.It dropped to the floor and caught Dan’s mom’s attention.
“Danny!Hello.”His mom’s smile was small and sheepish, but her eyes sharpened as she looked over her adult son, twice her size.“I couldn’t believe it when Femi and Gabi told me you were here.What were you thinking, taking on such a long journey?No wonder you got ill.Are you okay?”
Cranky simply stared at his mom, a surly look on his face.Good grief.If he wasn’t careful, he’d make this awkward family reunion a thousand times more awkward for everyone.
“Come on, Cranky,” Libby whispered.“Don’t be such a baby.”She stepped outside.What else could she do?“Hello, Mrs.Jones.I’m Libby.We spoke on the phone.It’s great to meet you.”
“Oh, please, call me Carina.”They shook hands.“It’s lovely to meet you, too, and thank you for your help yesterday.”She bent down to Karim’s level.“And is this your little boy?He’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Carina straightened, and her eyeline shifted up past Libby’s head.
“What happened to Zeezee?”Dan asked behind her.
“She wanted me to bring Malek instead.”Carina squared her shoulders, but her gaze soon dipped to her feet like a guilty teenager caught necking in the back of Dad’s car.“I… We…”
