I frown as I set the pot back down. No, something else isgoing on here and the knowing look between the two of them just underscores that fact.
Cleo takes her seat on my grandmother’s other side, and they fall into conversation about the usual items in the newspaper between them.
“The fish man will be at the market today. What sounds good?” Cleo asks.
“Whatever’s fresh. Sometimes he has salmon, sometimes prawns. I’m easy.”
Cleo’s gaze raises to mine. “Are you joining us tonight?”
“Of course.”
“You should accompany Cleo to town,” my grandmother declares. Not this again.
“I’m good,” Cleo mutters. “I’m not twelve.”
“Nonsense. Fox is going to take you to the surprise I’ve set up especially for you.”
Cleo slants a look at her. “Helen, I don’t need surprises.”
“Tough. Make an old woman happy and accept the gift graciously.”
Cleo sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Eat up,” I instruct. “Unless you want to play the fainting damsel again, and I’ll have you coming in my arms.”
Her eyes narrow on mine. Yes, there is a double meaning there, and I won’t apologize for it.
Duke growls thirty seconds before someone knocks on the door. Cleo is already up and out of her chair before I can think of moving. She flings the door open, and I can hear the delight in Samuel’s intake of breath at being greeted by his latest obsession. I wonder how attracted he’d be knowing scary games and horror movies make her hot and bothered, and that she isn’t looking to be handled with kid gloves, but rather ushered into the darkness that creeps on the outskirts of her soul. Sure, she could end up with someone like Samuel, but she’d never betruly satisfied and that’s where the cracks in relationships appear—when one or both can’t be honest about what they need.
“I missed you yesterday,” he declares.Jesus, dude, desperate much?Where has the guy who can sweep any girl off her feet gone?
“Why?” Cleo answers.
My grandmother’s head leans to the side, and I copy her to see Samuel rubbing the back of his head. “I like seeing you everyday, Cleo. It sets me up for the day and keeps me smiling.”
“That’s me, a ray of sunshine and glittery rainbows,” she deadpans, stepping back to let him in.
He enters the house, his gaze landing on us. His cheeks pinken a little and he shoves a small parcel at her. She clasps it with a frown. “That’s for you.”
She tilts her head. “Presents? It’s not my birthday.”
Truth. “Uh, no, the mailman handed me that after I parked.” She tosses a glance over her shoulder.
“It’s from me,” I declare.
Her fingers tap against the side of the white box. “You still okay for tomorrow?” Samuel checks.
“Yeah, Samuel. Tomorrow. Sure.”
She spins on her heel and dumps the box on the kitchen island. “Excuse me. I’ll be back in ten.” Then she’s out of the door and disappearing into the pool house. What triggered her? The gift, or the date? Both perhaps.
My grandmother chuckles as she finishes up her breakfast and pours herself some more tea. She is not making any sense right now.
“You are making an idiot of yourself,” I tell Samuel as he looks at the back door like a lost puppy.
He swipes a hand down his face. “Dude, I know. I can’t help it—she has me tied up in knots.”
I fold my arms and lean against the breakfast bar. “Why?”
“Why, what?”
