Page 16 of Under Pressure
“Amelia!” Grandpa said, more shocked than anything. Nonna was the only woman/person who’d ever been able to embarrass Gramps. Even if she didn’t know she was doing it.
Johnny started laughing hysterically over the phone.
“She’s seventy-six,” Axel explained to the worker, with yards of thick cable wire rolled over his arm. He’d come to a complete stop and seemed to be settling in for the rest of the conversation.
Sean’s face heated up like he’d just been struck with a nuclear missile.
“Nonna,” Axel said, lowering his voice. “I don’t think that means what you think it means.”
“Girl power. Get with the times.” She nudged Don with her elbow. We’ve been married for fifty-five years and he still hates it when I hang my bras over the shower rod.”
Yep, Nonna had totally missed the entendre. Thank goodness.
But Blue held her cool, stepping closer and lifting her little chin which had a dimple in it. “Okay, how about Elsa?”
“No!” Sean barked at the same time as Gramps, Axel, Johnny, and the stagehand, who seemed to pucker up a bit before finally racing off.
Sean stepped closer to her this time, now their forearms were touching where they had them folded over their chests. “Freezing powers don’t belong down there,” he lowered his voice.
This time, Blue did burst out laughing, bent over, and rested a delicate and cool hand on his bicep. It sent a thrill up his spine.
“Seriously, Axel, I gotta see this girl,” Johnny snapped. “Quit yanking the phone around.”
“Gotta go,” Axel said.
“No, just one look at her—” Johnny’s voice cut off abruptly.
Oh, you will. If Sean had his way, she’d never slip out of his grasp.
Blue straightened up, and Sean arched one brow at her.
“Have something to say?” he asked.
“I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.” She wiped tears from her eyes.
Nonna stood taller as she clutched onto Grandpa’s arm.
Sean softened. “Glad we could be of service.”
Blue
The end of the night came too quickly. Blue never wanted it to end. There was a lightness inside her, she couldn’t remembereverfeeling. And it wasn’t just Sean. It was his whole family. They simply enveloped her in their fun, in their quirkiness, in their warmth like nothing ever had.
She, Sean, Amelia, and Don headed to their cars, a warm, salty breeze washing over them. A car honked at the jamb at the exit, followed by another. Amelia held Blue’s arm, laughing with her over how silly the boys had been.
“Are they always like that?” Blue asked.
Amelia nodded as they headed off to the left. “Always.”
“Nonna, stop giving away our secrets,” Sean said in mock offense. “How am I supposed to be a man of mystery if you tell her everything?”
Don snorted. Blue wouldn’t have taken him for a snorter, but she decided it suited him.
“Men of mystery are overrated.” Blue knew that for certain. At sixteen, she’d been promised to a “man of mystery.” If she’d stayed, she’d have been married for the last two years. “I prefer open books.” Loved them. She squeezed Sean’s hand, feeling the comfort of his large, warm palm, safely encompassing hers.
“Better not lose this one,” Don said, pointing at Blue. “You’re the most open book on the planet.”
“Hey,” Sean said, sounding offended—too bad the twinkle in his eye belayed the disappointment. Definitely an open book.
