“Charlie’s not a sweet talker,” Ava says. “He’s just sweet. That’s why we like him.”
“Hey, if we’re having dudes over, shouldn’t you go get your boyfriend too, Sam?” Madi asks.
“Stop,” I say with no heat. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“But you’re gonna,” Ruby says in a singsong voice.
“Am not,” I answer and immediately feel like I’m in fifth grade.
“What’s this?” Grandma asks.
“Nothing, Grandma,” I promise.
“Mm-hmm.” Her tone shows zero belief in my protest. “Sounds like your neighbor again. Let me go fix this Charlie a sandwich so we’re ready when he gets here. Don’t want to keepmyboyfriends waiting.”
Her boyfriends being, of course, Redford and Newman.
Charlie knocks and walks in a few minutes later. “Ladies. Thanks for letting me crash.”
“Sure,” Ruby says. “Grandma Letty is here. I’ll introduce you. Then you need to hurry and fix your plate so we can get started.” She takes him back to the kitchen and we all exchange glances with each other as we listen to the rumble of voices.
Madi rolls her eyes and mouths,Why Niles?
Ava widens her eyes likeI know.
I just shake my head. We all like Charlie so much better. If he and Niles were standing side by side in the same exact outfit, Niles is probably better-looking. But Charlie is the kind of cute that grows on you, average-looking until you talk to him for a bit and then you find yourself thinking, “This is an attractive dude.” He’s taller and wider than Niles but wiry more than athletic. He’s also got a distinct style that Niles lacks with his stupid Dockers and polos. And it seems like Charlie’s eyes are always twinkling with a joke he can’t wait to tell you with his wicked little smile.
I swear, the rest of us would probably all have tried dating Charlie the first time Ruby invited him over if it wasn’t so obvious that they should be together—even if she doesn’t see it. I don’t know if Charlie does, but every now and then there’s something in the way he studies her that makes me think he sees it too.
They come out trailing behind Grandma and settle into spots, Charlie settling on the floor and resting his back against the end of the sofa, careful to stay out of anyone else’s space.
“Now. About this movie,” Grandma begins. “This one has two of the finest men to ever grace the screen. Robert Redford and Paul Newman”—she pauses while we cheer—“in their prime. P-r-i-m-e oh my. They’re playing bad guys, which is always when they’re the best. I know I don’t have to convince you.”
She does not. She’s introduced us to Redford and Newman inButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We’re converts.
She takes her place on the sofa, me snuggled on one side, Ruby on the other.
The movie is fun, and the wolf whistling every time Newman comes on screen gets more raucous as the tequila and Mountain Dew “margaritas” flow. By the time the movie is done, everyone but Grandma and Madi have the slight flush of a mild buzz. I don’t think Grandma is capable of getting drunk, and Madi says she sees too many sloppy-drunk idiots at work to be interested in that for herself.
“I’m outta here,” Madi says. “I need to change and get to work. Thanks for the movie, Grandma Letty.” She disappears down the hall to her room.
“Ready for our sleepover, Grandma?” I ask.
“Right after we clean up,” she says.
“No way,” Ava protests. “We’ll take care of it. You cooked, we’ll clean.”
“You’re really pushing the definition of cooking,” Grandma says.
“We’ll handle it,” Ava says, her voice firm. “Go get your beauty rest.”
“Thanks, Ava,” I say as I get to my feet and pull Grandma up. We climb up to my room, and I notice for the first time that it takes her more visible effort than it used to as she takes the stairs slowly.
I made the bed with clean sheets when we got back from the store, so after we get into our pajamas and settle on the bedspread, she says, “Now catch me up on everything.”
I flick my eyes toward the balcony door, but I can’t tell without poking my head out whether Josh is there.
“Start with the neighbor,” Grandma says like she’s a mind reader.
