Epilogue
Five months later . . .
The problem with talented, busy people was that they were in demand and busy, Madeline thought, smiling with understanding as Aisha turned down her job offer. She hadn’t actually expected her to accept but thought it was only fair to offer it to her first.
“I appreciate you thinking of me, and I love covering for you once in a while, but between making stuff, my work at River’s Sigh B she could hear the teenagers they’d been, even though they were both nearing fifty.
“So, I’ve got some of the dirt on Gwen now—thanks, Grant—but there’s something I’ve been long curious about that I bet Gwen knows the answer to.”
Gwen looked alert; Grant looked comically wary.
“Monika’s friend Kelsey seems to think the sun rises and the moon sets on our man here. Can you explain why, Gwen, my girl?”
Gwen giggled—actually giggled.
“I’m taking that as a yes, you can explain.”
“I’d like to know too,” Grant said. “Sincerely.”
Gwen looked surprised. “You seriously don’t know?”
“I have no clue.”
Gwen laughed. “Well, about a hundred years ago, she was dating the guy she eventually married—stupid her—and he was being an incredible jerk to her at a party. Grant went all knight-in-shining-armor on him, told him he shouldn’t treat her like that, that she was lovely and delicate . . . It was epic.”
Epic. Madeline grinned at Gwen’s slip into the 80s hyperbole of their younger days.
Grant rolled his eyes. “That’s why she likes me?”
“‘Likes’ is an understatement,” Gwen said.
“You have a lifelong fan. Should I be worried—or jealous?”
Grant glowered a bit. “Of course not. Don’t be—”
Madeline laughed. “Relax. I was joking. Unlike you two, I’m far removed from your teen glory days.” She looked between the two of them. “I do feel a bit left out, though.”
“Don’t,” Grant said vehemently—and Gwen added just as earnestly, “Feel lucky.”
“Well, as long as I’m in the loop now.”
Grant put his arm around her, and Gwen smiled. “You’re totally in, you poor thing—but just remember the old saying, be careful what you wish for and all that. I hope you don’t regret it too much down the road.”
“So,” Madeline said after a moment’s pause. “About what I said to Monika . . .”
“Right! Sorry. I meant to thank you for getting her off my back. That was pretty smooth.”
Madeline shook her head. “No thanks necessary, and also . . . it was actually self-serving because I was serious. Not that you work here now, obviously—but that I’d like you to. Part-time—flexible hours. You could choose them.”
Gwen stared, and Madeline flinched. “I know you’re really busy with your grandkids, and I totally respect that. I was hoping we could work around them? Maybe you could even bring them with you sometimes—”
“I could bring them with me?”