Carrera chuckled. “Laying it on thick, huh?”
“Now, she wants $10,000, and she thinks I’m going to fork it over.” She shuddered. “Get a damn job.”
His dad appeared, dressed to captain the vessel. After he hugged his mom, he slapped Carrera on the back. “It’s a beautiful day to be on the water. How’s everyone doing?”
“Jazz wants more money,” G-ma mumbled.
“Got it,” his dad replied. “How are you feeling, Ma?”
“Me? I’m doing great,” she replied.
“I’ll check in with the staff.”
After his dad retreated inside, Carrera regarded G-ma. “Let’s talk before things get crazy.”
Rather than venture inside, G-ma sat on the white leather sofa on the stern.
“I invited Amanda May,” Carrera said.
Her face lit up. “That’s wonderful. Where is she?”
“She declined.”
G-ma’s smile fell away. “I’m not surprised. That was a very nice thing to do, Carrera.” She patted his thigh. “I’m proud of you.”
“I need to confide something,” he said.
“Are you confessing your sins?”
He smiled, then moved right next to her. “I’m working with her on two cases,” he murmured.
“Oh, my.”
“And I told her how I feel.”
“How is telling her you can’t stand her a smart thing to do?”
“How Ireallyfeel. That I never fell out of love with her.”
“And?” G-ma asked.
“She thinks I’m delirious,” Carrera said, and she laughed.
She patted his hand. “You’re a grown man, so I’m not going to give you my advice.”
“Bring it on.”
“She’d got a tough exterior, but she is theexactsame sweet, vulnerable girl from all those years ago.”
“Yeah, about that, she said something about foster?—”
“Surprise!” called a familiar voice from the pier.
His childhood friend, Russell Fitzpatrick, stepped onto the boat wearing a striped shirt, white pants, and soft-soled shoes.
“Good to see you,” Carrera said. “What are you doing here?”
Russell mimed a dagger to his heart. “I’m crushed. And here I thought I was family.” He plopped down next to G-ma and kissed her cheek. Then, he leaned back, crossed his ankle over his thigh and shot Carrera a cheesy grin. “I ran into Jazz, and she invited me. We’ve been hangin’ out.”
