Chapter 97
Granger glanced at Thorne, hesitated, and then accepted the offered drink. “Thanks, man,” he said.
They clinked glasses and sipped their drinks, falling into conversation. Suddenly, Thorne gave Granger a longer, more scrutinizing look.
Granger met his gaze. “What’s up?”
Moran chimed in, “You seem… off today.”
A smile played on Thorne’s lips, silently concurring.
Granger remained unfazed. “Do I?”
Moran raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you?”
Granger leisurely sipped his drink, offering no response. At that moment, several people approached to greet them.
After they left, Granger glanced at the time, concerned Daisy might be hungry. Just as he was about to check on her, Daisy and Jasmine returned.
“Uncle,” Daisy asked, “can I have some of those cupcakes?”
Daisy had dietary restrictions due to allergies, so Granger said, “You sit here; I’ll get them for you.”
“Okay,” Daisy replied.
Jasmine, however, was self-sufficient and without dietary limitations. She helped herself to a snack and even offered some to Thorne. “Dad, want some?”
Thorne ruffled her hair. “I’m good, thanks.”
As the children ate, Vesta shared some of her treats with Jasmine, who gratefully accepted. “Thanks, Ms. Hawkins.”
Daisy, confused, looked from Vesta to Jasmine. “Minnie, isn’t this lady your mom?”
The room fell silent. Jasmine paused, then shook her head. “Nope.”
Daisy cautiously asked, “So, you don’t have a mom either?”
Jasmine shook her head again. “No, I do have a mom.”
“Oh…”
On the cruise, souvenirs were being distributed. Daisy was captivated by a crystal keychain and grabbed two. These were the last ones. Jasmine also liked them. Seeing Daisy had taken both, she asked, “Daisy, could you share one with me? I’d like to give it to Ms. Hawkins.”
Daisy hesitated. “I… I wanted to give one to my new friend…”
Recalling the day’s events with Charlene, Daisy explained to Jasmine, “Today, my uncle and a lady took me to fly kites, we went fishing, rode bikes, and chased butterflies… She’s really pretty; she would love this crystal…”
The adults, who hadn’t been paying close attention, now turned toward Granger.
Moran immediately prodded, “Granger, what’s going on? Or should I say, what’s already going on?” Growing more excited, he didn’t wait for a response. “When did this happen? How come you didn’t tell us, Thorne?”
Thorne smiled, but his eyes remained on Granger, awaiting his answer.
Granger kept a straight face. “We just bumped into each other by chance.”
“Really?” Moran was skeptical, seemingly piecing things together. “So, you had lunch together too? I was wondering how you managed the kids so effortlessly; turns out you had help!”
Granger remained silent.
Thorne looked at him, delivering the final verdict: “You’re into her.”
Granger hesitated, opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately didn’t deny it. Vesta’s smile faded slightly.
“Holy smokes, it’s actually true?” Moran exclaimed, his earlier jesting replaced by genuine surprise. “Who is she? Do we know her? Why haven’t you introduced her to us?”