Page 45 of Just Desserts

"So tell me Myles, what do you think about Alyssa?" I looked up at her, shocked, and slightly horrified.

Why would she ask me that? Did she think I was like Jonathan? I locked eyes with Grams and saw the challenge in her gaze. Looking back down at her cards her mouth thinned into a line as she took in her hand.

"I went to college with Wes. I met Alyssa for the first time when she came to visit. It did not go well. I didn't like her because she upset my friend and put all of us in an uncomfortable spot." I said, meeting her eyes and holding it, letting her feel me out.

"From everything I know now, I think she's a bad sister, a bad cousin and an overall bad person. I feel sad for her, maybe that's just because of Wes but I'm also furious at her. She has no concern for those around her, how badly she hurt everyone. I'm also worried about her stability. Not that I care forherbut I'm worried about what she could do. It takes a lot of hate to do something like that to a friend, and she was able to do it to someone she considered a sister. There's something incredibly alarming about that recklessness."

After a moment she gave me a nod before returning to look at the cards in her hand. She made a sour face and discarded a card. Holding back a laugh, I decided to ask a question of myown.

"What did you think about Jonathan when they first got together?"

"You taking the piss?" She looked at me sharply.

I shrugged, encouraging her to answer.

"Never liked him, told him from the start, told her. Neither listened so I kept out of it. I'm glad she's done with him and I'll skin the next man that comes along and tries to clip her wings."

She said, staring at me pointedly. I nodded and the game continued, conversation veering into lighter territory. I told her about the hotel and how long we had been open. I was so busy chatting I didn't even realize she had won.

The woman had conned me, her facial expressions all leading me to believe she had a shitty hand and was mostly using this time to grill me. I laid out my full house expecting to win, instead I was floored when she revealed a straight flush.

"Looks like I owe you." I said and she beamed.

"Indeed you do. Good game Myles. We'll have to do this again soon."

"I'd like that." I replied honestly.

She put the cards down and we spent the rest of the time chatting. I mostly listened as Grams regaled me with stories from her past or gossiped about every resident in the building. I was starting to wonder where Isla was as the conversation wandered into Dorothy's dating life, and the love triangle she was now a part of.

"I really hadn't given Frederick a second thought until Ollie started badgering me about it, but now it's like he's got new life in him. The jealousy has made him more passionate! So I agreed to be Frederick's dance partner just to see how Oliver reacts. Oh joie de vivre!" She said with a laugh and all I could do was join her. This lady was trouble, and I knew I wanted to be on her side if she ever came down on someone.

Isla returned shortly after and came to a stand still in the middle of the room looking slightly stunned to see us sitting there laughing. Grams made a fuss out of looking at her watch before declaring it was time for us to leave.

"Oh my! Look at the time, I didn't mean to take up all of your morning. You two get out of here now. Enjoy the rest of this fine Sunday."

I stood up and helped Grams rise from her chair as well. Once standing, she gave me a hug, whispering in my ear.

"I think we understand each other. Don't we, Myles?"

Keeping my voice low so Isla couldn't hear, I replied earnestly.

"Absolutely. If I do anything to hurt her, I'll personally hand you the knife to skin me."

"Good man." She said, patting my cheek then in a flurry of bracelets and perfume she swept past me to embrace Isla.

Isla

Grams practically hustled me out the door after giving me a tight hug and telling me how much she liked Myles. She fawned over him for a few more minutes as I stood by watching in a daze, I had never seen her like this. As we madeour way out to the car I watched Myles dubiously.

"What did you two get up to while I was gone? What schemes has she roped you in on? She's already gotten two warnings at the center so you better not be encouraging her bad behavior."

I told him sternly. Myles had the audacity to flash his half smile, that dimple winking at me as if to say I was overreacting.

"She beat me in poker, but don't worry we didn't bet money. That's all you missed, well that and her wiping the floor with me so now she has an open IOU. She's a card shark, I can understand how she gets in trouble." He chuckled.

"An open IOU. You gave Grams an open IOU. Did you tell her about the hotel?" I asked, trying to curb the panic in my voice.

"Should I not have? She did ask me what I do for a living. Would you prefer I lied?"

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