Page 28 of Broken Grump

“I’ll be over there,” Steven announces.

I do feel bad for the guy, as he doesn’t know about the complicated history between the two of us.

“Anyway.” Once he’s gone, she licks her lips, pushes some baby hairs out of her face, and asks, “Care to show me around?”

“Yes. Of course. But first—”

“Yeah?” Her cool eyes meet mine, and I gulp.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt before I have a second to reconsider.

“Oh?” She tucks her chin and her brow furrows.

Fair. Those are two words she isn’t used to hearing out of my mouth.

“For what exactly?”

I knew she wouldn’t let me off that easily.

“I was out of line yesterday.”

“That you were. But as long as you agree to drop all of your ridiculous accusations, I think we can proceed as usual here.”

Okay?I guess part of me was expecting some kind of reciprocal admission of guilt here. I mean, she obviously said malicious things to hurt me as well.

“So?”

“Um. Okay. Fine. Yeah.”

“Good,” she says with a nod. “Besides, I’m only here because I’m curious.”

Right.I guess that’s all I have for now, and I’ll take it for whatever it’s worth.

“Well, this is where we envisioned the entrance to be,” I guide her and explain.

One of her arms lays across her stomach while the other perches against it, and she rests her chin against her closed hand. “Okay.”

“And then we were envisioning that each floor will have around sixty rooms, thirty on each side of the building.”

Her long eyelashes flutter and reflect in the reflection of the sunlight. “Sixty? That seems ambitious, no?”

I shrug. “You knew your grandfather better than anyone, and subtlety was never his forte, no?”

That finally gets her to crack a grin. “That’s for sure.”

Next, I check the plans to make sure I’m correct as we trek through the dirt, and I show her where the ginormous pool will go.

“Uh-huh.”

Oh.Given her affinity for all things water, I was anticipating more of a response from her. But I move on from there and continue the tour.

“Well?” I ask when I’ve exhausted every nook and cranny of the place.

Her face remains stoic and emotionless.

“Earth to Addie?” It’s like she’s one of those “living statues” in the park—all she’s missing is the silver body paint, a ridiculous prop, and a top hat.

“What?”

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