Page 65 of Hot Shot

She bobs her head slowly. “Some.”

“If you want to talk more, and you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

To my complete surprise, Julia answers quietly, “Thanks.”

The kitchen door opens and Carrie appears. Her gaze lands immediately on Julia, then flicks to me. I want to think her smile is for me, but it’s probably for both of us.

Jesus, Iamacting like a fourteen-year-old boy with a crush. Julia’s right.

Carrie crosses the kitchen, skirting around the prep tables where Sid, Paul, and Jenn are still preparing food for the evening crowd. Pots bang and clang and pans sizzle.

“Hey, kiddo,” she says. “You just about done here?”

“Yes.” Julia wipes her hands on a dish towel. This time she can’t hide the sadness that tugs down the corners of her mouth. “Forever.”

Carrie smiles. “I think you had fun working here.”

Julia wrinkles her nose, but when Carrie’s eyes meet mine, Marco gives a nod and a wink. “I told her you’ll bring her by my place sometime to see my sculptures.”

“Oh. Sure.”

“Are you coming to Grandma’s party tomorrow night?” Julia looks at me.

My gaze slides over to Carrie.

“I’m sure he doesn’t want to come to a dance at an assisted living facility,” Carrie says. “Not exactly wild times.”

Julia snorts. “He hasn’t met Grandma Garner. Did you know she used to be a stripper?”

My jaw drops. “What?”

“Truth.” Julia nods vigorously.

“A burlesque dancer,” Carrie clarifies.

“Jesus.”

She grins. “She was quite the sexy dame back in the day.”

“She still is,” Julia says with a quick grin.

“True.” Carrie nods.

“I could help,” Marco says. “You’re doing this all yourself.”

Carrie sighs. “Yes. I could use help. If you want to come, that would be lovely, but seriously, it’s going to be a lot of old people and my family. The only one of my family who’s fun is Grandma. And Julia.”

“And you!” Julia says with an affectionate smile that makes my heart bump against my sternum.

“And me,” Carrie agrees. “We’re the fun Garners. The rest are all boring businesspeople.”

Julia laughs.

This is how I find myself at Años Dorados Retirement Village on Thursday night. I managed to rearrange the schedule at Conquistadors so I don’t have to be at the bar, but I didn’t tell Cade and Beck why. They’d piss themselves laughing at the idea of me dancing at an old folks home.

I have to admit I’m pretty curious about Grandma Garner.

Carrie had to get here early to help her grandma get ready for the party, but I offered to come early too, to help put up a few decorations and move furniture around in the Friendship Room.

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