Page 39 of Getting the Grinder
I can’t wait that long, though. I send her a text.
Leo: When you get to the restaurant, pull me aside. Pretend it’s so you can privately congratulate me on my game.
Deep breaths aren’t helping much. I open the calming sounds app on my phone and turn up the volume; the sound of a babbling brook and chirping birds comes on.
The restaurant is close. We’ll make an appearance and get the hell out of there.
I rub my chest as I drive, shaking my head.
Fuck. Why didn’t I just tell Anson I’m not interested in dating his sister?
Chapter Fourteen
Mara
* * *
I read the text from Leo again, my concern growing. Usually I tell Suki everything, but I didn’t tell her about his message.
Leo covered for me last night, and it was exactly what I needed. In the moment, I was devastated about not convincing Libby to testify, but I woke up feeling more clearheaded this morning.
That disappointment is part of my job. I needed to let myself fall apart since I’m new to it, but then I had to put it aside and move on. Maybe she’ll think about the things I said and change her mind. I hope so.
Leo probably just wants to get our stories lined up since Anson will be at dinner tonight. It’s probably just something small, and I’m worried for nothing.
Suki, beside me in the driver’s seat, glances at her rearview mirror.
“Hey girls, I’ve been meaning to ask, does anyone know where the cocoa powder is? I was baking yesterday and I couldn’t find it. I know I have some.”
“No idea,” Charlotte says absently.
Olivia is in the SUV’s third row, probably listening to music on her headphones. The youngest girl, Hallie, pipes up.
“Maybe someone hid it under my bed.”
Suki furrows her brow. “That’s oddly specific, Hals.”
“I’m just saying maybe.”
“Okay.”
I suppress a smile. Hallie cracks me up often without even trying.
“I’ve always wondered what baking cocoa tastes like by itself,” I say, giving Suki a knowing look.
“Not like chocolate,” Hallie says. “It’s really bad. Don’t make chocolate milk with it.”
Suki sighs softly and we exchange an amused look. I shrug.
“It looks just like hot cocoa mix,” I say in Hallie’s defense before changing the subject. “How’s Darling?”
“Good. He fell asleep on me and I couldn’t move because his head is heavy.”
I didn’t think I wanted kids before Suki married Carter and his nieces became like daughters to her. I’m not so sure anymore, though. I love the girls and really do feel like an aunt to them. I see what Suki has with her family and think maybe someday I want that, too.
It’s a school night, so we drop the girls off at home before going to the restaurant. They don’t get to attend many games on school nights, but tonight they did. The babysitter Suki hired meets us in the garage to herd the girls into the house.
“Bring home some breadsticks,” Charlotte says to Suki, adding, “Please.”
