“Oh, no, it’s not. The senior senator of Connecticut is going to be there. I already spoke to his wife, and he’s coming. The mayor of New Cardiff is going to be there, as well as the former vice president of the US.”
“Gram, you didn’t!” Kate said. How had her grandmother blown this so out of proportion?
“He and I went to school together. I was a bridesmaid at his wedding. We have to have a nice party now, of course. We don’t want to disappoint the vice president,” her grandmother said. “We’ll have several stations.”
Kate took a deep breath and let it out, trying not to be so irritated. She decided to let her grandmother do the majority of the heavy lifting in planning the party. Kate would try to enjoy herself. It was warm enough that it would be a nice night for a garden party.
Stop taking things so seriously,she told herself.
Kate felt her phone buzz, and she looked at it, feeling herself tense up again. It was Alan.
I need more money.
Kate ignored it and tried to concentrate on what her grandmother was saying.
“We’ll have several signature cocktails, a mashed-potato bar—”
“A what? No.”
“The vice president loves mashed-potato bars.”
Her phone rang.
“I have to take this,” she said to her grandmother.
“Is it Walter?”
“Yes,” she lied and hurried into the house. Alan answered as soon as she accepted the call.
“What is it?” she hissed into the phone.
“I need more money.”
At least he wasn’t going on about all the disgusting things he wanted to do to her.
“I just gave you money.”
“I need more. My wife’s father cut us off.”
As he should, she thought.
“How much?”
“Ten thousand dollars.”
Kate felt her stomach drop. “That’s a lot.”
“The Holbrooks have it.”
“I’m paying you out of my personal bank account…” She heard steps come up behind her, and she jumped.
“Sorry,” Grant said, looking at her suspiciously.
“I have to go. Bye,” she said into the phone and hung up.
“Who was that?” Grant asked. “Was that that dick-pic sender?”
“No, it’s only a meeting I’m setting up for Walter. How can I help you?”
