Page 169 of New Growth
She just wanted to get me away from the menso we could talk.
The guys had filed into the living room to watch some game, mostly because Rio had made it very clear that nobody but me was allowed in her kitchen. Still, I caught El peeking in every so often.
I’d calmed down in Rio’s presence. She had a way of making everything feel easy, like we’d known each other forever. She asked a lot of questions, but surprisingly, barely anything about El and me, which I appreciated.
We talked about EL’evation, the expo, my trip to Thailand. She seemed most interested in that.
“Phuket is so beautiful. I hope I can go back some day.”
“I’d love to travel like that,” she mused, chopping vegetables. “But Bourbon can’t walk down the street without getting winded. Take my advice, E. Do all your traveling now before he hits forty-five. These fools get lazy at that age.”
I shook my head. “Not El. Some mornings, he’s up before me, running around the neighborhood. It’s like I can’t keep up with him, sometimes.”
Rio gave a small nod. “You’re right. I forgot how seriously he takes his health after his mama.”
“His mama?” I frowned slightly.
Rio paused, then glanced at me. “Uh-huh. Lottie ain’t tell you?”
I shook my head.
She sighed. “Well. His mama died from gestational diabetes. After he was born, they couldn’t get her sugar or blood pressure under control. Took her five days later.”
I was silent.
But Rio kept chopping. “Then he got diagnosed in his twenties, and whew, that boy was spiraling. Him and that ex-wife of his were fighting every damn day. He basically moved back in so he didn’t have to deal with her.”
She shook her head. “I can’t say I blame the poor girl. He was a terror. But after they divorced, he calmed down a lot.”
I exhaled. “Wow. I didn’t know all that.”
Rio gave me a knowing smile. “I know he can be a handful at times. But he’s a good boy. He’s trying, and that’s what matters.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
She studied me for a moment, then grinned. “Now, enough about him. Tell me about that Phuket trip again. I’m living through you right now.”
We talked for a bit longer until Bourbon peeked his head into the kitchen.
“I’m gonna fire up the grill.”
I perked up. “Can I help?”
Bourbon raised a brow. “You wanna, cher?”
Rio smirked. “Sick of me already, E?”
I shook my head quickly. “No, no, not that. It’s just…it’s been a while since I’ve been on one.”
Bourbon’s expression softened. “Ain’t no problem with me. C’mon.”
“And then you add this… and this.”
I moved with ease, explaining the techniques my daddy had taught me. Bourbon watched closely, nodding in approval. I could feel El hovering nearby, his presence like a shadow on the patio.
“Good! Now just turn it down and let it slow cook for about an hour, and you should be good.”
Bourbon whistled low. “Damn, Ellie, I ain’t ever seen a girl handle meat like that.”
