And as always, it was Brody who broke the tension. He’d heaved a big sigh and then reached out to draw Annie close to him, enveloping her in his strong arms. She’d melted into his chest, desperate to find her way back to him. Why couldn’t she shake off this malaise that had settled over her the last few years? She wanted to find that type A go-getter she used to be.
Brody spoke, his deep voice rumbling in Annie’s ear. “Remember our first date?” His voice was husky, caressing the air between them.
“Yes.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, and she smiled into his chest. She wished they were still those two people from back then, just discovering one another.
On their first date, at a dimly lit wine bar on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Brody had grabbed her hand in the middle of a story she was telling him. They’d been getting on so well, and there was definitely chemistry between them. When he took her hand, the spark that shot up between their joined hands had startled them both. And she’d further surprised them by placing a hand on his crotch. She had no idea what possessed her to be so bold and inappropriate. But she’d been burned on too many dates, thinking each might be a keeper and then finding out they weren’t interested. She wanted to know if Brody was interested in her.
Where had that excitement gone, when she couldn’t wait to see him again? Where was the anticipation of a date with him, when she used to dance to music as she put on makeup, knowing she’d see him soon? How had they gotten to this point, where she let small irritations take over, when once, they hadn’t been able to get enough of each other?
As if he knew she was thinking about him, Annie’s phone rang.
“I was just thinking about our first date,” she said in lieu of a greeting when she picked up.
Brody laughed. “That’s good. Just called to make sure you know I’m glad you made a friend. I just want you to be safe.”
“I know.” Her voice softened. She paused and then added, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He paused. “I just talked to Finn. You’re not going to believe what he said to Jeannie when they FaceTimed with her and her kids earlier.” The hilarity in Brody’s voice lifted Annie’s spirits. She vowed again to get her act together, to throw herself into life in Kauai and finally pull herself out of this pit she’d somehow landed in.
“What did he do?” Knowing their son, it was probably something outrageous.
“Sam and Jeannie were talking about Jeannie and her family coming to visit for spring break, but Jeannie was kind of dragging her feet. Finn told them they should come because Ah-Gong missed Jeannie’s kids so much. Jeannie teased Finn and asked if they could borrow Ah-Gong for a while, if he missed them so much.” Brody paused to catch his breath. “And do you know what that little rascal said?”
“I can’t even imagine.” Annie could already feel the anticipation of mirth coming on.
“He told Jeannie that he and Cam need their Ah-Gong. But he said he’d go online and order a new Ah-Gong for Jeannie’s kids, so they could have one too. And he said he’d find an old one, so it would be cheaper.” Brody let out a bark of laughter and Annie joined him.
“He did not,” she said when she could talk.
“Yup. That’s your child.” Brody chuckled. “Where does he get these ideas from?”
“No clue.” Annie heard the toilet flush and turned toward the bathroom door. “I’m going to call him and hear it from the source.”
“Okay, glad things are good over there. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Same here.” She paused. “Thanks, Brody.” And she hung up, snickering at how clever their son was.
19
When Serena got out of the bathroom, Annie told her what Finn had said about buying a new grandfather for Jeannie’s kids.
“He didn’t.” Serena’s lips twitched, and when she caught Annie’s eyes, the two collapsed on the couch in laughter.
“Kids,” Annie said, shaking her head. “The things that come out of their mouths. Do you mind if I call him real quick? I just . . .” She was about to say that she usually had such a hard time connecting with him and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to try to bond with him.
Serena waved her hand in the air. “Call him. Don’t mind me. You’ve already been so kind, letting me crash here and feeding me. You do what you have to with your family.”
“Thanks.” Annie flashed her a smile as she dialed her father’s landline.
Finn answered the phone with a breathless “Hello?”
“Finn.” Annie’s heart contracted. “I heard you wanted to buy a new Ah-Gong for your cousins.”
“Yes.” A loud crash sounded, followed by a serious of rustles and muffled conversation. Annie pulled the phone away from her ear and set it on speakerphone.
“Hello?” Finn finally said again.
“Did you drop the phone?” Annie asked, shaking her head.
“Uh-huh.” More rustling.
“Have you ordered a new grandpa yet?” Annie teased.
“No. Sam won’t let me use her computer.”
“You’re so silly, you know that?” Annie held back her laughter, but she could imagine him grinning from ear to ear, proud of himself.
“Not silly,” Finn said. He chortled, deep in his belly, in the way that always made her and Brody stare at each other in delight, before cracking up themselves. These were exactly the kind of moments she needed more of with her son.
“And what’s this I hear about a discount for an older grandpa?” Annie pretended to be stern. “Who even taught you that?”
“Nobody.” Finn yelled that out so loudly that Annie winced, even though she didn’t have the phone against her ear. She saw Serena glance over at them. “I learn-ned that all by myself!”
“That really is silly.” Annie tried to sound firm but couldn’t help the laughter that crept into her words.
“No, it’s not. New things are more ’pensive, so older things get a discount.” Finn sounded proud of himself.
“Can’t argue with his logic,” Serena whispered.
Annie hooted. It felt so good to let go, and she’d done more of that today than she had in the last few years. When she could speak again, she asked Finn, “So what does Ah-Gong think about this?”
“Dunno. Cam needs me. Bye!” And with that, Finn was gone, leaving Annie with a dead phone.
“Did he hang up on you?” Serena asked.
“Apparently.” Annie looked at her phone, which had definitely been disconnected.
“What a clever boy.” Serena sounded proud, as if she knew Finn. “You’re a really good mother, you know that?”
Annie swallowed in surprise. “Really? You think so?” She’d doubted herself all Finn’s life, so to hear someone say the opposite had a glimmer of hope lighting up inside her.
“Yes.” Serena nodded. “Look how good you were with him on the phone. He obviously loves you and has a good rapport with you. You’ve taken such good care of . . . of your, um, son.” Serena stumbled over the end of her sentence, and Annie wondered again if she was getting drunk. But they’d only just opened the second bottle between them, and the drinks had been spread out over several hours. She herself didn’t feel drunk, just pleasantly happy, as if nothing could bother her today.