Page 12 of Spotlight
“Can I borrow it for the display? I have an idea that I think will blow theirs out of the water.”
Gigi offers me a soft smile. She might think I’m taking it too seriously, but she’d do anything for me. “Of course.”
“I can go with you to grab it after my call. Maybe we can talk out plot issues on the way?” Ruby asks hopefully.
“Deal.”
* * *
By five o’clock, we have finished the new window display and fixed Ruby’s plot issue. She pulled out her laptop as soon as we were done and cozied up in one of the comfy white chairs in front of the magazine section. It makes me so happy to see her fingers flying over the keys.
Greer busts through the front door with the same kind of energy. My daughter only has one speed lately and it’s a full-out run.
“Momma!” she yells and flings herself at my legs. Her blonde curls are wild from the day, framing her heart-shaped face.
Grandpa enters the store a few feet behind her. I smile at him briefly before hugging Greer.
“Hey, sweet girl. How was your day?”
“Good,” she chirps, peering up at me with her arms still wrapped around my waist. “Grandpa took me for ice cream, and he said we could bake cookies tonight.”
One side of her mouth is covered in chocolate—evidence of the ice cream—and yep, now so are my pants. “Sounds like Grandpa is going to be chasing you around the house to get rid of the sugar zoomies!”
She giggles and unlatches herself from me, heading to Gigi next.
“Thanks for picking her up,” I say to Grandpa. He gets her from school every Friday to give me extra time at the store. He’s in his usual outfit of navy dress pants and a short-sleeved button-down shirt. Much to Gigi’s dismay, he hasn’t updated his wardrobe in thirty years, not even the Mustangs hat perched on his head is from the last decade.
“Any time.” He nods his head toward the window behind me. “Looks nice. Is that your grandmother’s old bike?”
“You like it?” My smile widens. “I was going for whimsical springtime vibes.”
“I don’t know whatvibesare, but it looks real nice, sweetheart.” He stops in front of me to place a kiss on top of my head.
I follow him to the counter. Gigi is closing out the register for the day, and Greer sits on a stool kicking her feet and talking a mile a minute about everything she did at school.
“And then we played freeze tag until Axel threw up on the gym floor. Then we went outside and…” she continues, detailing all the most memorable parts of her day.
When she’s done and finally takes a breath, Gigi says, “That sounds like quite a day.”
Grandpa leans in and kisses Gigi’s cheek.
“And how was your day?” she asks him.
“Real good.” He nods, mouth curving up. “New scoreboard is up and working, and the benches got a fresh coat of paint.”
Grandpa is the facilities manager at Fletcher Stadium where the Mustangs play. He’s worked for the team in some capacity all my life. I’ve never been a big fan myself. We all go as a family to spring training where Grandpa points out all the updates they’ve made in the past year.
“Can we make chocolate chip cookies tonight?” Greer asks. She has a habit of changing the topic as fast as she talks.
“What about double chocolate chip cookies?” Ruby appears with the cheeriest expression I’ve seen from her all day. I’m not sure if it’s because she finally figured out her book or if Greer’s infectious smile and happiness has rubbed off on her – probably both.
“Are you coming over too?” Greer asks her aunt.
Ruby nods and leans on the counter in front of her. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss Grandpa’s cookies. Plus, I need to go grocery shopping, and I heard you’re having spaghetti.”
“Spaghetti?” Greer’s green eyes widen comically as she looks between Gigi and Grandpa for confirmation.
“With meatballs and garlic bread.” Grandpa rubs his stomach.
