“Well, I’m looking forward to your visit this summer,” my mother told everyone.
“I can’t wait.” Riley started talking about ceramics, and she and my mother had a lively conversation about it. We finished up dinner, and had coffee, baklava, and tiny orange and chocolate cakes. Grace also made slushies out of the peach bourbon.
“So delicious, Ilena,” Jett complimented. “Really, thanks for making such amazing food for us.”
She waved him off. “My pleasure. Grace should know all his favorite foods. Just like you should know all of hers, and how to cook them, or at least where to buy them.”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked over us.
“Of course, Mama,” I assured her.
“Wes and I just made something for her the other day, Auntie,” Evan added.
We tried to help her clean up, but she kept shooing everyone out of the kitchen. Finally, I just started doing dishes.
“Thank you.” As she worked, she told me about all the plans she had made to do things with the various relatives coming to town. Besides the party tomorrow, some of my father’s family was hosting brunch on Sunday, and my mother’s familywas hosting a lunch, so that we could spend more time with everyone.
“Do you like Grace?” I asked as I loaded the dishwasher.
“Yes. Very smart. Very kind. So very small. Your father would have made her his assistant and brought her everywhere because she’s travel-sized,” my mother laughed as she rinsed dishes and handed them to me.
I laughed, picturing it. “Yes, I could see them getting along. But that would mean either you moved to Rockland–though Rock Tech would love him–or we moved to Greece.”
And, for my father to be here. I wasn’t going to hope that the Temporal Authority ever released him. No. That was too dangerous. If it happened, then it did.
She gave me a look as she handed me another dish. “They have schools in Greece. They have Omega Centers and police in Greece. They even have places to open company offices in Greece. You can move some of your company. Your hotelier can buy a hotel in Greece so that you can visit more often.”
“That is a very thought-out plan.” No, I don’t think we’d be moving to Greece anytime soon. However, she seemed lonely. We should make more visits. Maybe I should see if there were any symposiums coming up near her.
“I’m getting nostalgic in my old age.” She shrugged. “While I like my quiet days in my studio, I enjoy traveling with my friends, and I love touring the world with my art, sometimes I just want my family.”
Noted.
“Well, hopefully we can visit more often,” I assured as we finished up the dishes.
She looked at me. “Is everything all right? Something feels… unsettled.”
Her words sent shivers down my spine. The last time she’d said that to me was right before Evan’s parents died. While shehadn’t said it before Elaris’ death, she had the night before the super collider blew up.
“I hope it’s nothing,” I said softly as I put a soap pod in the dishwasher.
“Me, too.” Her look went worried.
Indeed. With Grace, who knew what could be coming?
Chapter Forty-One
Grace
Iglanced at my phone and sighed.
Fancy Wedding Planner
I’m so sorry, but I can’t find anyone on such short notice. But it’s okay. Deep breath. You’ll still look amazing.
The person who was supposed to come over and do my hair and makeup for the party had canceled at the last minute. Literally, I should be getting ready right now.
Spencer and Evan were with a bunch of Spencer’s family at a house they’d rented for the weekend. They’d meet me at the club.
