“Max Miles?” Mom says the names together and repeats them once with a curious expression on her face. “Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it?”
“My parents have an odd sense of humor. They like how it sounds likeMax smiles.”He points to the corners of his mouth, exaggerating a grin.
Mom gives him an odd look, but finally nods in understanding. “Oh, I get it.”
I reach for Miles’s hand. “Don’t worry about Aunt Iris, Mom. We’ll get her settled.” Without waiting for a response, I set off across the lawn, letting out a long breath as I go. “Can’t believe I did that,” I say, when we’re out of Mom’s range.
He squeezes my palm in his. “It’s fine.”
“Only because you covered so quickly.”
“No worries. Have I met Aunt Iris yet? Max didn’t say anything about her.”
“Not yet. I don’t think I’ve seen her for a couple of years. I always thought of her as a nice, little old lady, but I’ve never seen her drunk.”
“You might be about to see a different side to her.”
As we approach, certain colorful words jump out at me. When we’re near enough to hear everything she’s saying, it becomes apparent that this sweet old lady is telling a joke that would make a sailor blush.
I stop short, my eyes bulging out as I look at Miles to see if he’s hearing what I’m hearing.
After a dramatic pause, Aunt Iris delivers the punchline. “No offense, sir, but if six shots won’t get rid of the taste, nothing will.”
The bartender tries not to laugh while my cousins erupt into giggles. Aunt Iris lifts her bottle and tips it back, draining the last of her beer. When she requests another, Miles and I move in.
“The bar is closing, Aunt Iris.”
“Callie? Is that you?” Her words are slightly slurred, but she seems steady on her feet as she gives me a hug and a kiss on my cheek. “I was looking for you earlier. I hear you have a new beau.”
As she turns her attention to Miles, I remind myself to get his name right, or rather, wrong. “Aunt Iris, this is Max.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, young man.” When he shakes her hand, she keeps hold of him. “What a strong grip you have there.” Next, she reaches for his bicep. “And what muscles! Callie, you have a strong one here.”
Miles stands patiently, keeping a pleasant expression on his face as my seventy- or eighty-something aunt fondles his arms—both of them.
“It’s time to go back to our rooms, Aunt Iris. Would you like to come with us?”
She makes eyes at my fake date. “I’ll follow Max wherever he’d like to lead me.”
As we escort my aunt back to the resort, I silently mouth “I’m sorry” when only Miles can see me, and he smiles back at me, letting me know it’s okay.
We find her room at the end of a long hall, and after unlocking the door, Aunt Iris turns to Miles. “Would you like to come in, Max? Maybe have a nightcap with me?”
“We’ll help you get settled,” I say, opening her door wider and following her inside.
“Oh, Callie. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be flirting with your boyfriend, but I’m afraid I’ve had a bit too much to drink.”
“It’s okay, Aunt Iris.”
“Of course, I’m much too old for you, Max, but you and my niece are both young. The two of you can have a good time tonight. A really good time, if you know what I mean.”
Miles holds her arm to keep her steady as she toes off her shoes.
“What I wouldn’t give to be young again and have a man like Max around. Callie, don’t waste this opportunity. Make Max feel good tonight, and if he knows what he’s doing, he’ll make you feel good, too.”
I open my mouth to stop her from saying all this, but I’m too stunned to summon the words.
“I bet you know what you’re doing, don’t you, Max? Why don’t you give her a kiss right now, so I can live variously—I mean, vicariously.”
