Page 19 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

"Don't be absurd.Every woman appreciates evidence of physical prowess and cultural heritage."She turns to me."Don't you find it impressive?"

Put on the spot, I feel heat creep up my neck."It's...certainly an unusual skill set."

Fiona looks smug."See?Impressed."

"That's not what she?—"

"Oh!And here's Callum at his Harvard graduation.This is before the Stanford engineering degree, of course.Single then, too.Such a waste.Well, he did have that one little incident, but…” She shakes her head sadly, then brightens."But still single now!Perfect timing with all this attention."

I catch Callum's eye over his grandmother's head.

To my surprise, a flicker of humor passes between us—a moment of shared suffering that feels almost like alliance.

The sensation is oddly unsettling, as if I've accidentally touched a live wire.I quickly look away.

Harvard graduation.I force a smile, hoping it masks the sudden tightness in my throat.

My own “Master’s” in the School of Hard-knocks was earned nights and weekends over a fifteen year span.

Falsifying my age to work night shifts at a local laundromat.Tutoring younger children.Running errands for elderly neighbors.

And eventually, earning my way up in marketing from a lowly admin job to a specialist and finally to Director.

Only to nearly lose it all when Richard left, destroying my reputation—and credit score.

Not at all different from what my father had done to my mother…long ago.

"You know," I say, setting down my wine glass, "I should probably go.It's getting late and we have early strategy meetings."

"Nonsense," Fiona waves."The night is young.I haven't even shown you the photos from Callum's championship sailing victory.He was absolutely drenched.The pictures are very...informative.And besides, she hanna’ even finished eating your tatties!”

I blink.“I haven’t finished eating Callum’s…tatties?”

“Tatties.Means ‘potatoes’ in Scottish.”Callum looks over at the woman nearly half his size.“Gran, Karina's right.It's late."

Fiona looks between us."Very well.But you'll come to dinner again, Karina.We have much to discuss."

I grin at her.“I’d be delighted.”

Callum walks me to the elevator, visibly relieved to escape."I owe you an apology and probably hazard pay."

"It's fine," I say."She's...formidable."

"That's one word for it."

The elevator arrives with a soft ping.

"Thank you," he says suddenly."For the Guardian pitch.It's actually brilliant."

I'm so surprised by the compliment that I nearly miss the elevator."You're welcome.It's just an idea, but?—"

"Let's develop it tomorrow."His expression becomes professional again."Nine AM, my office."

"Of course."I step into the elevator and turn to face him.

As the doors begin to close, his grandmother appears beside him, holding up another photo album.

"I just found the swimming competition pictures!"she calls cheerfully."Next time, Karina!"