My mother and James move across the patio to a massive U-shaped, built-in bar covered in stone. James has a professional-grade blender, and he starts to whip up more concoctions.
“Your dad is a nice guy,” I say as I watch him making my mom laugh.
“He is,” Dozer acknowledges, his gaze moving from Thea over to the bar. “Has always been, and I expect always will be. He’s also a charmer and a ladies’ man. I hope your mom sees through that.”
“My mom is old and wise enough to take care of herself,” I reply with a chuckle.
Dozer smirks and shakes his head. He seems amused by it more than anything, and it provides some light in an otherwise dark day. We haven’t really been able to talk about what tomorrow and the future holds as we’ve purposely kept quiet about everything around Thea.
James and my mom come back to the table, and James hands me another drink with a wedge of fresh pineapple and a cute little umbrella tucked into it. “Thank you.”
They sit, and James holds his glass out to the middle of the table. “To new friends,” he says.
Mom and I clink our glasses with his. “To new friends.”
As the moon rises high over the water, diluting the colorful sparkles thrown off by the Miami skyline, James and my mom take turns sharing stories about Dozer and me when we were little. Each one tries to outdo the other in their efforts to embarrass us, but Dozer and I can’t be shamed. We know everything about each other, although I did feel my cheeks heat a little over my mom’s gleeful retelling of how my massive crush on Justin Timberlake led to a stalkerish letter-writing campaign I undertook to advise him that Cameron Diaz wasn’t good enough. I sent probably a dozen letters, and he never wrote back, and that’s more humiliating than anything.
It’s only when Thea yawns that my mom immediately falls back into Gigi mode. “I better get this little one to bed,” she says, rising from the table. James, the consummate gentleman, rises as well.
“I’ll take her, Mom,” I say, reaching out and giving a playful tug on one of Thea’s locks.
“I want Gigi to take me,” Thea says, giving an adoring look to my mother. Those two are thick as thieves, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I enjoyed a close relationship with my grandmother growing up, and I want Thea to have the same.
Smiling, I turn my patio chair and open my arms. “Only if I get the biggest hug ever.”
No hesitation on my kid’s part. She’s a hugger by nature. Throwing herself into my arms, she wraps her little self around me and squeezes my neck. “Love you, Mom.”
I revel in the sweetness of the hug and cringe slightly that lately, I’m being called Mom more than Mommy, which is a sign she’s growing up and I’m losing my baby. “Good night, Doodles.”
Thea moves to Dozer and hugs him. “We’re going on a plane ride tomorrow, right?”
Our story to Thea was that we’re all taking an impromptu vacation tomorrow to Pittsburgh.
Dozer nods as she pulls back. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
He’s rewarded with her gap-toothed grin, and then to my surprise, she moves to James. He’s new to her, and while she’s not really sure about him, he’s been like Santa Claus today, showering her with toys and candy. Tipping her head back, she says, “Good night, Mr. Burney.”
James smiles down at her, holding out his fist. “’Night, little princess.”
She fist-bumps him, then heads off with my mom, hand in hand.
When the patio door closes, James sits back down, his gaze coming right to me. “Your mom is a nice lady.”
“She’s the best,” I agree with a smile, even as Dozer rolls his eyes.
“I only say that,” James continues, his voice losing its playful tone and turning very businesslike, “to point out that she’s not annoying or a hindrance. And Thea is the sweetest kid. I’m more than happy to have them stay here and protect them until this is all finished. You two are welcome to stay as well, although I understand why Dozer thinks it’s best to get you to Pittsburgh.”
I’m touched by his offer. “I appreciate it, James. Really. But—”
“But Thea and Claire stay with me,” Dozer cuts in, and by his expression, his father knows there will be no argument.
“Fair enough,” James rumbles. “So, what is the game plan?”
This is the first time we’ve been able to talk freely about things since we arrived. I know Dozer took his dad aside and caught him up on everything, but Dozer’s had multiple calls today from the people he works with, and I expect there’s more that we don’t know.
Dozer sighs and pushes up from his chair. “I think I will take another beer.”