Page 74

I sliced down into the chocolate frosting and let the sweetness be my answer. There wasn’t a birth certificate in the world that could prove it, but I was home.

Chapter 30 – Drew

Gran beamed at me from her lawn chair in Vi and Anya’s front yard. She’d given up any pretense at modesty and donned a sparkly tiara that glittered in her pink hair. She’d gone for a more subtle look on bottom, wearing an eye-shattering muumuu in a swirling rainbow print. If her aim was for moped traffic to see her from a distance: mission accomplished.

Anya blew me a kiss from the lawn chair next to Gran, her hazy smile alerting me to the likelihood that their margarita glasses were indeed fully leaded. Her tiara had blue stones that matched her eyes. It slid dangerously to the side, threatening to cover one eye. Gran must have broken out her full closet of colorful robe-like dresses, because a muumuu flowed around Anya’s curves in shades of blue and green.

Vi made up the last of their triumvirate in bright purple, matching the others in both tiara and dress style.

The throaty cough of a moped coming up the hill echoed behind me, and I stepped to the side. Josie’s Moped Rentals were a staple of summer on the island. Every new crop of ferrypassengers disgorged eager riders. Josie made them pass a basic test before heading out on the forty-eight-mile loop around the island. To pass, renters had to make it to the three-way intersection Vi and Anya’s house overlooked, make the turn, and head back safely downtown under Josie’s watchful eye.

The driver arced into the turn with confidence, and Gran, Anya, and Vi cheered from their seats, holding score signs: six, nine, and eight, respectively.

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Gran, what do they have to do to get a good score from you?”

“Easy.Notdrive a moped on my island. Damned things are annoying.” She blew a raspberry. “Who heard of something that can only go thirty miles an hour? Anyone who rides one of these is a punk.”

Used to her bitching, I let the comments go. They were rhetorical anyway.

“And how are you lovely ladies this afternoon?” I asked.

After a beat, each held up a sign: eight, nine, nine.

Chuckling, I leaned down, dropping a quick kiss on Anya’s mouth. Sure enough, tequila and lime flavored her lips.

“Are you ready for another round, or shall I start dinner?” I asked, hiding my smile.

At least they were having fun, even if it was at the tourists’ expense.

“Dinner sounds lovely,” Anya said, her expression dreamy.

I fired up the grill and made a quick round of hot dogs for my queens. We dished up inside but decided to eat at the patio table.

“Gran, what brings you into town today?” I asked.

“I barely see you anymore.”

“Whose fault is that?”

“Your girlfriend’s.” She slid a sly smile Anya’s way. “That’s why I had to come and hang out. Get to know her better.”

I gave her a knowing look. “Is Mom on another health kick?”

Gran rolled her eyes. “Why that woman thinks I need to eat more cauliflower at my age is a mystery.”

“Maybe because she loves you and wants you to live forever,” Anya offered generously.

“Sweet summer child.” Gran patted Anya’s cheek. “It’s cute how you think that could be true. I’m sure she’s just doing it to annoy me.” She tilted her head. “Or to get more alone time with Gary. Since they discovered the little blue pills, it’s been a twenty-four-seven boink-fest at home.”

Vi and I exchanged horrified glances. I turned to Anya. “We’re all going to pretend we didn’t hear that.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your parents having a healthy sex life,” Anya chided me.

“There’s not,” I said.

“It’s all fun and games until they end up in the ER,” Violet muttered.

“Yeah, that’s my move,” Gran complained, taking a healthy swallow from her margarita glass before grinning across at Anya, egging her on.