Page 107 of My Favorite Mistake

“Well, you will if you keep coming ‘round here,” Sunny went on. “Gabe owns a construction company and works with Scott to do the storm repairs on Saturdays. ‘Least when he can handle it. He’s got some kind of head condition.” Sunny slapped her palm on the table a few times. “Ophelia, what is that head condition Gabe has?”

“Grammy.” Ophelia uttered distressed sigh. “He’s got PTSD from his time in the Marines.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Sunny waved her hand again. “I remember last year he was supposed to come help Scott repaint the shop, but then he got laid up in bed because some project he was working on over in the Lower Nine reminded him too much of the storm, and of course the storm reminds him of overseas for whatever reason, and all that mess. Luke said he was in bed the whole weekend, and then Luke had to come help Scott instead.”

Liza crinkled her brow. “Oh no.”

“Poor Gabe.” Sunny shook her head andtsked, then appeared to switch gears as she leaned her hand on her cane and turned toward Ophelia again. “Ophelia, you know what you should do is hire Luke and give him an apprenticeship in antique dealing. Nowthat’sa career with stability.”

Ophelia gave a small chuckle. “I don’t think Luke has any interest in antique dealing, Grammy.”

“I’d love to come see your shop one of these days,” Liza said. “I’m planning to buy a house soon, and I’d really love to have some antique furnishings.”

“Ohyes.” Ophelia turned toward them as she continued to stir. “You know I’ve got local original art too, right?” She smiled as her eyes sparkled. “I’m a big believer in the unique personality of a home, and there’s nothing more unique than a combination of antiques and original art.”

A tickle unfurled in Liza’s stomach, and she could barely hold in a sigh. “That sounds so lovely. I’ve wanted my own house for as long as I can remember.”

“Where are you thinking about buying?”

“Well.” Liza twirled one of the beans between her index finger and thumb. She couldn’t exactly say,that all depends on whether or not Connor asks me to move in with him. “I’m renting this adorable house in the Irish Channel, and I’m casually discussing with my landlord the options to buy it. I’m not sure she’s convinced yet.”

Translation:Lizawasn’t convinced yet. At least, she wasn’t convinced anymore. Since everything had changed with Connor, everything she had planned about her life as a whole had changed.

“I see.” Ophelia pursed her lips as if attempting to hide a smile and turned around hastily. She brought one hand to her face and cleared her throat. “Well, I’m sure whatever house you’re supposed to live in will make itself known soon.”

Ophelia had a strange tone, and Liza squinted. “Yeah, I’m sure it will.”

Caroline strolled into the kitchen swinging a yo-yo at the end of a long string and wearing a pout. She pulled out a chair between Liza and Sunny, and then gave a huff as she flopped down on it.

Sunny stroked Caroline’s long, dark hair. “What’s your trouble,cher?”

“Daddy and Connor and Pop-pop are ignoring me.”

“Aww!” Sunny gave a rickety chortle. “Those wicked boys! What are they doing?”

“They’re talking and talking and talking…” Caroline rolled her hand in a circle as her big, hazel eyes rolled along with it. “...and talking and talk—”

Sunny grabbed Caroline’s tiny, twirling wrist and kissed her hand. “What are they talking about?”

“Connor has to purpose something, and he doesn’t know how.”

“Purpose?” A paper-thin crinkle formed across Sunny’s brow. “What is purpose?”

“I don’t know, but Daddy and Pop-pop are fighting about it.”

“What?” Sunny squawked. “How are they fighting? They never fight.”

“Well, Imean.” Caroline blew out a puff of air, and her bangs went flying. “Pop-pop says you have to purpose somewhere like a nice restaurant or a park, but Daddy says it doesn’t matter where you purpose, you just have to do it.”

Liza’s eyes went wide, and Ophelia suddenly broke into a coughing fit.

“Scott!” she hollered after getting her coughing under control. “I need you immediately and please come alone!” She turned and waved Caroline toward her. “Come stir this, baby. Draw eights in the pan. Okay?”

Caroline huffed but did what she was told. “Oo-kay.”

Ophelia rushed out of the room just as the sound of feet jogging on hardwood approached from the opposite side of the house.

“What’s wrong?” Liza heard Scott ask just before Ophelia hissed a loudshhhh.Their voices fell into hushed murmurs, and Caroline began singing to herself at the stove.

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