“Persephone?” Janelle’s eyebrows rise. “That’s a unique name.”
“It’s not really her name.” I lean in conspiratorially. “Her real name is Alice, but she decided to rename herself Persephone about fifteen years ago, so that’s what we call her. Many in the family will say she’s a little crazy, but I like to think of her as eclectic.”
Janelle laughs and her eyes are bright as she says, “Oh wow… I get it now.”
“Get what?” I ask curiously.
“You told me your ex-husband didn’t like your family and visiting here after you got married.”
“That’s right,” I reply, not sure where she’s going.
“You have this huge, wonderfully interesting family—with people who flunk bar exams and dance ballet and change their names—and I bet he couldn’t handle it. I bet he was the type of guy who felt his money was what made him interesting, and I bet your amazing family dented his ego too much for him to handle.”
I stare at her agog, because her ability to understand that is incredible. “You absolutely nailed why Jace didn’t like my family.”
“People are jealous of what they can’t have,” Janelle says with a knowing look. “Hell, I’m jealous of your family, just so you know.”
I nudge her playfully. “Hold that statement until you meet Great-Aunt Persephone.”
“Hey, Janelle.” We both look to the right as a handful of teenagers around Janelle’s age approach. The group is led by Dahlia, a sixteen-year-old second cousin who is a top-notch soccer player. “Want to come play cornhole with us?”
“Sure,” she says brightly, then turns to me as if to ask if it’s okay. I make a shooing motion, and she melts off into the crowd.
I’m wholly satisfied as I knew she’d have fun with the kids here.
Digging back into my chili, I make small talk with people passing by my table. I keep an eye on Janelle in the far corner where they have cornhole boards set up and two rousing speed games going, kids versus adults.
I see Persephone talking to Grandma Katie. Persephone and Katie are sisters-in-law, Persephone being Levon’s younger sister. The two women are incredibly close and have become more like real sisters over the years.
Just as I’m about to return to my food, something else catches my eye, and I jolt as I realize Riggs has stepped out from the kitchen onto the back patio. He asks Aunt Mollie something—I’m assuming where he can find Janelle—but she looks around the yard and points my way.
“Oh, honey… isn’t he a yummy bag of chips?”
I roll my eyes and see my cousins Beth and Carolyn standing a few feet from me, eyeballing Riggs as he walks toward us. I don’t know about comparing him to a bag of chips, but he is yummy.
It’s clear he’s walking to me, and Beth sidles in close, smacking my arm. “Is he your date?”
“What?” I exclaim, then resolutely deny. “No way.”
“You must introduce me,” she says urgently as he gets closer.
“Maybe later,” I whisper out of the side of my mouth. “For now, you and Caro get lost.”
Beth snickers. “Oh, you are so into him. Why not admit it?”
“Go away before I put you in a head lock and make you leave,” I snarl.
Beth and Carolyn laugh rowdily but they slink away just as Riggs approaches. He gives a side glance their way and when his eyes come back to me, I nod toward my cousins. “If you’re looking for a date, they’re single and interested.”
“Not looking,” he says gruffly and moves around the table to take the seat Janelle vacated. “Besides, all I have to do is pick a fight with you, and I’ll get laid. No need to date.”
My mouth hangs open in shock. He stares at me blandly and shrugs. “What? You know it’s true.”
Closing my mouth, I shrug myself. “You have a point. Next time, though, it helps to have a condom on you.”
Riggs leans back in the chair, surveying the people before him as he nonchalantly says, “Got one in my wallet.”
My head whips his way in astonishment. “Are you serious?”
“Yup.”
I let my gaze wander over my family members milling about, laughing and socializing. I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with him. I can’t tell if he’s being serious, if he’s coming on to me, or if he’s teasing and has no condom at all. I have no clue what to expect from him because he’s such a conundrum, so I feel it’s safer to change the subject.
“I’m surprised you came,” I say conversationally.
He doesn’t reply at first, having located Janelle and watching her laugh as she plays with the other kids. “I figured I shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend some time with Janelle on my day off.”
“Oh, shit,” I exclaim. “I’m so sorry.”
Riggs glances at me, frowning. “For what?”
“For taking her on your day off. Of course you’d want to spend time with her.”