Nan takes a seat next to me, resting her elbow on the table and turning her body to face me. I look at her, confused, while she keeps an evil smile written all over her face.
“Are you okay?” I laugh at her.
“I’m so happy you’re here, Blair.”
Griffin enters before she can say more with two glasses in hand. One with an amber liquid and the other a white wine, that he places in front of me.
“So, Nan,” Gene says, taking a seat while everyone fills their plates with food. “Tell us about this new guy coming to town.”
She runs her fingers across her lips, signaling that they are sealed.
“Apparently, he’s a celebrity,” Mary says, cutting into her chicken. “Nan knows who it is but refuses to tell us how and why he’s a celebrity.”
“Maybe he’s into politics, and that’s why he’s considered a celebrity,” Gene says. “How fun would that be?”
My stomach flips at the thought of a male politician coming to town.
Did Theodore find out where I live?
He’s most definitely considered a celebrity back in San Francisco.
“All I can tell you is he’s moving to Poplar Street next door to Poppy.” Nan laughs with a mouthful of food before pointing herfork in Eugene’s direction. “And don’t bother looking up the record, because it's off the book.”
“Is that legal?” I ask, curious.
“The marijuana I smoke ain’t legal either,” she barks out. “But no one’s going to get me in trouble. I have a shank.”
“A shank?” Griffin asks, choking on his chicken.
“Yep. A weapon of mass destruction.” Nan nods.
Griffin rolls his eyes. “You can’t call a steak knife a weapon of mass destruction.”
“You. Shush,” she cuts him off. “Don’t give away all my secrets. I like people to fear me.”
My hand comes up to cover my mouth as I laugh into my palm.
“Well, that’s enough violence for one dinner,” Mary says. “Let’s talk about Blair. Where are you from?”
My stomach does another somersault. Griffin knows where I’m from, but being his father is the mayor of this town, I wonder if he’s in contact with others. Like there’s some special hub online of mayors connecting with each other.
I’m definitely thinking too much into this.
I just don’t want my past to be brought into my future when I’m in such a good place right now. I feel good, and things are going really well for me.
“I’m from San Francisco,” I say.
“Wow,” Gene says. “That’s a long way away. It’s a whole new world here compared to there, huh?”
“You could say that again,” I scoff.
Nan clears her throat. “It’s a whole new world?—”
“Nan,” Griffin cuts her off.
“Oh, right.” Nan nods, before cutting into her meal again.
“What made you move out here?” Mary asks. “Do you have a job that allows you to work anywhere?”
