Page 32 of Love is Grand

“I’m Adam’s brother,” Cal said, trying to redirect, but my mom was on a hunt for details, and nothing would deter her.

“Is that so?” Mom’s eyes pierced Cal’s with ruthless intent. “Have you known Shell long? You’re the one who saved my darling granddaughter, aren’t you? So, was it the right place at the wrong time, or was it the right time?”

Keeping his cool, Cal nodded. “In fact, yes. As you know, Rylan is close with your family, so by default I am. As for the saving, Weezie can swim, so it wasn’t much of a saving.”

Sounded like Cal was bringing out his lawyer skills, but he had no clue who he was dealing with. My mom had interrogated the best on the island and never lost.

Mom pursed her lips. “Well, thanks for helping. Shell seems to be moody lately, so beware.”

My cheeks flamed. “Oh my God, Mom. Please. Here,” I said to Cal while lifting Weezie and placing her in his arms.

He was clueless when it came to how to hold her, so I kept a hand under her butt so she wouldn’t fall.

“She’s a human, not a grocery sack,” I said, biting back a smile. “Hold her tight.”

He pressed my baby girl to his chest, and I let go, giving my mom a dirty look before saying, “Night.”

Mom gave Cal a Cheshire-cat smile. “Nice meeting you.”

“The pleasure was all mine.” He had the nerve to wink at her, which made my mom blush.

“Let’s go,” I grumbled, trying not to stomp.

I walked around the pool, turning around every few seconds to make sure the Neanderthal still had my kid. We wound through the hotel to the open-air lobby, and despite the stiff ocean breeze, I was burning hot.

When we were finally outside, a valet took my ticket, and Cal and I stood there in silence.

“We could talk tonight,” he said hopefully.

“Don’t use talking and my daughter dead asleep in your arms as an excuse to get in my pants.” The last part came out purposely hushed.

Thankfully, my car pulled up, and I opened the back door, taking Weezie from his arms and carefully buckling her into her booster seat.

“Tomorrow, that’s what I’m offering,” I said to Cal, then hurried to the driver’s side.

My phone pinged as I pulled up to the Grand the next morning, Weezie chattering in the backseat about going to the pool again. Rolling my eyes at how absurd my life was, I picked up my phone and saw the text from Teddi.

Yep, I’d texted her late last night, and then told her she had to watch Weezie for me.

I’m sorry. It slipped out because that B-I-T-C-H was there. You know I will watch Weez. Can I take her to the beach?

Looked like my daughter’s day was going to be made, while the jury was still out on mine.

I opened the car door, handed my key to the waiting valet, and went around to help Weezie.

“Mom, don’t be mad. This is more fun than having pancakes at home,” she said as we entered the hotel.

“I’m not mad, sweetie.”

“Your face looks mad.”

Kids. They didn’t mince words.

“I’m not. I promise.” And I wasn’t. Nervous, anxious, stressed was more like it.

Seeing Weezie’s face as we entered the brunch—her eyes widening at the buffet full of sweets, pancakes, fruit, and juices—settled my stomach the tiniest bit.

“You need to take some eggs too, baby girl. Brain food.”