“Let’s just say I’m not interested in dying my hair purple and getting 48DDD implants for a role.”
“You’re not?” I laughed, and turned around when I realized that everyone in the room was staring at us.
“Hey, bro.” Zane winked at me. “Maybe you can save the chat-up lines for tonight.”
“I’m not …” I glared at him. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I came to see what’s going on with the documentary.” He shrugged. “Plus, I had a special delivery to make. You can thank me later.”
“Thanks, Santa Claus.” I rolled my eyes and then turned to Robin quickly. “Not that I’m saying you’re my present or anything. Trust me, I am not objectifying you.”
“Uh, thanks, I guess.” She laughed and made a face. “I know you most probably think I’m crazy and quick to ignite, but I’m really not like fireworks. You don’t have to be that careful around me.”
“I think I’d rather be more careful than not right now.” I smiled.
“Fair enough.”
“So would anyone like tea and cookies?” Betty picked up her teapot. “I just boiled some water, so it should still be hot.”
“Betty, get the kids some Cokes. Not everyone wants tea.” Sidney responded to her, and she glared at him.
“I’ll have some tea, thanks Betty.”
“Of course you would, Noah.” Sidney smiled at me. “Let’s all go sit down. I’ve got old bones, you know.”
“You’ve got old everything, Sidney Johnson.” Betty handed me a plate of cookies. “Let the children relax for a moment before you have them working.”
“It’s okay.” I grinned at her. “I’m pretty excited to talk about what I’ve been working on.” I followed Sidney to the couch and sat down. He leaned over to me and gave me a stern look. “You told your brother the truth yet?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Soon.”
“I still got them papers.” He sat back. “You let me know when you want them.”
“I’ll let you know,” I nodded.
“So who’s the girl?” Sidney continued and nodded towards Robin, who was standing next to Lucky and laughing at something. “She’s real pretty.”
“She’s just a friend.”
“Seems like more than a friend to me.” He looked down at his wedding ring. “I mean, I’ve only been married for a few hundred years. I don’t know much about love and them things.”
“Sidney.” I admonished him. “I don’t love her.” I hissed quietly to make sure no one else could hear us. “I barely know her. We barely went on one quasi-date.”
“She gets to you though.” He looked at me thoughtfully. “You get to her as well.”
“She’s fragile.” I sighed.
“Yes. I’m glad you see it. She has a hard exterior. But it’s a shell that’s easily broken. She’s got a story, that one. Be careful not to break her heart.”
“I would never do that,” I retorted, angry that he thought I was capable of such a thing.
“You need to finish your business off in Palm Bonita before you start dating anyone new.” He stared into my eyes seriously. “That’s some serious business you’re involved in, Noah. You got to be careful.”
“I am being careful.” I sighed. “Did you speak to your son?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “He’s a family attorney in Illinois, though. He said he’s not that familiar with the family court system in Florida.”
“But did he have any advice?” I looked at him bleakly. I had called Sidney earlier in the week and filled him in on the situation with Skylar because I had needed to talk to someone about it. I felt guilty for not telling Zane, but I just wasn’t ready to tell him about everything without going into what had happened with Mom.
“He said that you should just give it up. You’re never going to get her. She’s never going to be yours.” Sidney looked at me bleakly. “He said that it’s admirable how much you love her, but you can’t change the facts.”
“So he thinks I should just give up?” I was angry. “She was counting on me.”
“You aren’t God, Noah. You can’t make miracles happen.”
“I can try.”
“And that’s why I love you, son.” He nodded approvingly. “You don’t give up, no matter how difficult the odds. The world needs more men like you.”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“You have a pure heart.” He patted my back. “That’s enough.”
“I’m going to tell Zane.” I blurted out, changing the subject. “I think I’m going to tell him. He has a right to know.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you.”
“He’s going to be devastated.” I closed my eyes.
“He’s still got a wonderful family.” Sidney’s eyes blazed. “We’re all still one big family.”
“I know.” I smiled at him gratefully. “You’re the granddad we never had.”
“Do you want me to be there when you tell him?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I need to do this alone.”
“Take him into my study.” Sidney nodded as if thinking. “The file you gave me is in my desk, second drawer from the right.”
“I don’t know if I should show him.” I paused. “I was just going to tell him about Mom.”
“Tell him everything, Noah. Don’t keep it in anymore.”
“Okay.” I jumped up and hurried over to Zane. “Hey, bro. Do you think we can talk for a moment?”
“Uh, sure?” He looked at me quizzically and I glanced at Lucky, who nodded at me with a quick smile.
“Sidney said we can go in his study.”
“Okay, then.” He put down his cup and saucer and followed me to the study. I closed the door behind him and we both took a seat. “What’s this about, then? You’re not upset because I brought Robin, are you? I told Lucky I didn’t think it was a good idea.”
“No, I’m not upset.” I smiled at him gently. “I’m glad you brought her. She’s a nice girl, and maybe we can start over again. From the beginning.”