She was quiet for several moments. “That was three.”
“What?”
“Questions. That was three questions.”
She was the most infuriating woman sometimes…
“Can you answer at least one of them?” his voice was so low and so gruff, he barely recognized it himself.
The silence was deafening, and it took everything he had not to rush her.
“No. No. Yes.”
It took a minute for him to realize what she meant.
Relief washed over him in waves. “Okay, then.”
“I’d really like it if you touched me now,” she whispered, and Levi was one thousand percent on board.
11
“Isn’t this nice? All of us together for brunch!”
“Mother, we were all together at your party last night,” Paul said wearily, rubbing his temple. “I had to reschedule to a later tee-off time because you pushed back what time you wanted us here.”
“Well,” Gammy said, not looking the least bit put out, “I stayed up later than I had planned and didn’t get home until after eight this morning. A girl needs some time to get ready, you know.”
Paul groaned while Willow and Levi fought the urge to laugh.
Although, there had been an awkward moment earlier when Gammy had first gotten home that wasn’t the least bit funny at the time.
Levi took his turn in the shower after Willow had finished, and when she walked out into the living room as Gammy was walking in the door, it was hard to say who scared who more.
“Oh my goodness, Gam, you scared me!” Willow had cried, hand over her heart.
“Did you and Levi finally get to have sex last night?” Gammy asked, breezing across the room.
“What?!”
“Don’t even try to deny it. You’re all glowy right now. I knew you wouldn’t do it if I was in the house. Donald was such a dear to let me stay with him.” She paused and chuckled. “Although I did thank him properly, so I don’t think he minded too much.”
“Gams,” Willow said with a sigh. “TMI. I keep telling you, stuff like that is TMI.”
“Nonsense! There’s no such thing!” She fluttered around the kitchen, making herself a cup of tea. “I saw the way you and Levi were looking at each other all afternoon and during the party and knew you were a little tense because of your parents so…”
“So you shouldn’t have stayed out all night for my sake!”
“Oh, trust me, it wasn’t all for your sake. I got a good bit out of it myself, if you know what I mean.” And with a sassy wink, she turned her back and wiped down the countertops. “Donald is a very thorough and enthusiastic lover. I bet Levi’s the same way.”
You have no idea…
Feeling herself blush from head to toe, Willow had excused herself and ran back to her bedroom to get ready.
And had avoided her grandmother until everyone arrived for brunch.
Why didn’t I leave when I had the chance?
Oh, right, because Levi said she would later regret it.
Sadly, he was right. As much as she wanted to avoid having another uncomfortable conversation with her father, she would hate cutting her visit with her grandmother short. As it was, they only got to see each other once a year, and her grandmother wasn’t getting any younger–no matter how impressive her sex life was.
“So, Levi,” her mother began, and Willow fought the urge to groan. “We didn’t get the opportunity to speak with you much last night. Why don’t you tell us about yourself?”
He was about to speak when Gammy interrupted.
“Hello? Birthday girl here! As much as I have loved getting to know Levi, this is supposed to be my day, remember? I don’t want this turning into some psycho-analyzing session, Marilyn.”
“I was merely expressing an interest in the man who is dating my daughter. It’s only natural to be curious about the kind of person he is. Especially since she’s driving alone with him across the country.”
“Mom…that’s a little bit of an over-exaggeration,” Willow argued mildly. “I told you, Levi rescued me when I fell. He helped me out, and we started talking, and then we just…clicked.” She smiled at him and saw him wink. Facing her mother again, she added, “Today is about Gammy.”
“Yesterday was about her, as well,” her father murmured, pouring himself another cup of coffee.
“It’s her weekend,” Willow countered. “This is a milestone birthday, and we should be talking about what’s new with her and what she has coming up. Any trips planned, Gammy? I thought I heard you talking about a cruise.”
“Oh, yes!” she replied, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s going to be fantastic! It’s one of those Flower Power cruises that cater to people of my generation and all the entertainment is music groups from the 60s and 70s! I can’t wait! My girlfriend Dotty planned the whole thing for us. There’s fifteen of us going and it’s a seven-day cruise that leaves right out of Fort Lauderdale! I’m telling you, it’s going to be a blast!”
“Surely it’s not going to be the real artists from the groups performing,” Marilyn said with a hint of disbelief.
“Well, not all of the original members, but yes, a lot of them are still around and still performing. There are going to be a few tribute groups and shows, but…who cares! It’s the whole feeling of the cruise that’s important! Free love, good vibrations, flower children…it’s going to be quite the scene! The whole group of us have been scouring thrift shops and making our own clothing so we’ll fit in. You should see me in my bell-bottoms! I look just like I did when you were a boy, Paul!”
Her father groaned.
Gammy turned and looked at Levi. “Have you ever gone on a cruise, Levi?”
“Why is it okay for you to question him and not me?” her mother asked, plainly miffed.
“Because we’re talking about cruises, Marilyn. I already know that you and Paul and Willow have gone on them. I don’t want the poor boy to feel left out. Sheesh!”
