Page 86 of Every Move You Make

Dell introduces me to all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom are incredibly nice, and I can’t tell if they’reactuallykind or thatsouthernkind where they’re nice to your face but secretly judging you. I’d like to believe it’s the former. Especially since most of them seem to take sincere interest in Dell’s work. I watch as one-by-one they flex their arms and thighs for him to evaluate and ask him for advice on how to get rounder shoulders and better mobility.

It all makes me kind of miss having a big extended family like this. My mom’s sister lives in Poland, and I’ve only met her a handful of times. My dad’s brother and his kids live in Calgary, and we almost never see them. We didn’t have much money growing up, so going away for vacations and visiting family didn’t really happen. I guess I’m fortunate to have such a large immediate family.

An image of the baby journal my mom kept for me flashesin my mind.I know,I think to myself.I need to read it.

“She’s coming!” Brook softly cheers, dimming the lights to get everyone's attention. The room settles, and when the doors open, Dell’s grandma stands there next to his mom, holding her hand over her mouth when everyone yellsSurprise!

There’s laughter and giggles as everyone greets her with hugs and kisses on the cheek. When it’s Dell’s turn to hug her, she grabs him tight. “You knew, didn’t you, Gram?”

“I love her, but your sister is about as subtle as a cactus chair.”

His smile is so real and genuine when he pulls away from the short woman with a straight white bob and fashionable glasses. “Gram, I’d like you to meet Isaiah.”

“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you,” she beams, bringing me into a hug.

“You have?”

“Of course. My Dell here called me up a while ago and told me all about his client he was fancy for.”

I stand up to look him in the eyes. “Did you?”

He shrugs. “She’s my best friend, I can’t keep secrets from her.”

“I heard you like true crime, Isaiah. I’ve got some books for you back home, so make sure you stop by before y’all head back, okay?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Good. Now I gotta go mingle. But hey,” she says, placing her hand on Dell’s arm, “help me convince your sister to pass out ouija boards as party favors at my funeral.”

He seems unfazed by the casual way she mentions her own death. “Brook’s planning that?”

She cocks her eyebrow. “You know she is.”

“I’ll see to it,” he grins effortlessly, and she kisses him on the cheek before heading off. “Joanna Castle is gonna be running this family from the grave.”

“I can see why she’s your best friend.”

We grab a couple lemonades and walk over to a set of comfortable arm chairs and have a seat in front of the windows overlooking the gardens.

“Does she know about your content?”

There’s a slight curve to his mouth when he takes a sip. “Yep. All of it. She watches every workout video and then calls me about ‘em. Suggests better angles. She’s somethin’ else.”

The next couple of hours fly by as we talk with his family and flip through old photos. Trips they’ve taken. Horses they’ve ridden. Standing in front of buildings they’ve acquired and two-story high Christmas trees decked out with glittering ornaments and crystal.

When couples start to leave, Steven comes up to us with a nudge to Dell’s arm. “Bunch of us are headed to The Front Porch. My parents are taking Liam for the night. You guys in?”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Bar down the way,” Dell nods and looks to me for an answer.

“Sure, why not?”

Chapter 37

Instincts

Dell

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