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“Hi,” I said with a wary smile. While I did not intend to get friendly with anyone, as I didn’t want to be recognised, I couldn’t be rude.
“Are you and your family moving in, dear?” she asked.
“Just me.”
“That’s a lot of house for just you,” she exclaimed. She approached, and I saw she was in her late sixties with shoulder-length grey hair, which she clearly coloured into a silvery grey. She wore a pair of tailored trousers and a twin set. All she missed were the pearls, I thought.
“I need space. I can’t stand being cramped up,” I replied as she waited for an answer.
“So you’re single?” she asked.
“Gran!” a man boomed, and the guy with the luscious ass appeared. Shit, I nearly died because he was so handsome. He had short brown hair and green eyes; his nose was straight and not too big for his face. His lips were nice and firm, and he had dimples as he smiled down at his grandmother.
“Yes, dear?” she asked sweetly. “I am introducing myself to my new neighbour. Agatha Jepson and you are…?”
“I’m Amb—Julie Sykes,” I said, remembering my alias at the last moment.
“Well, welcome to the neighbourhood. If you’re all alone here, you must come for dinner tomorrow.”
The guy groaned, and I wondered why. His grandmother seemed lovely.
“That’s very kind of you to offer, but would you mind if I took a raincheck? I’ve got so much to do the next couple of days,” I answered.
Green eyes the same colour as her grandsons narrowed, and I felt a momentary panic. Agatha wasn’t going to be deterred or accept a postponement.
“Fine, I expect you at my house on Thursday, and no excuses, young lady, or I’ll send my grandson to fetch you!” Agatha threatened. Her grandson replied by rubbing a hand over his face.
“Gran!” he hissed.
“Shush, Gauntlet,” Agatha snapped, but there was no bite to her voice. Gauntlet? I was thinking, what a strange name when I realised it must be a club name.
“I shall do my best,” I responded, even knowing I wouldn’t go. “Do you have a phone number I can text you on, just in case?”
“Nope,” Agatha popped the p, “because then, honey, I’d be giving you an excuse to bow out. And I do not get the feeling you like bad manners! By the way, chocolate or wine is a yes, and if you’re bringing flowers, I love tulips and white roses. You don’t need to dress up, and no, you don’t cook a dish either. Just bring a thank you gift and yourself. Hell, Julie, you don’t need to gussie up; you’re stunning, darling!” Agatha said.
Gauntlet let out a low moan, sounding like he was in pain.
“Say, bye, Gran,” he groaned.
“Gauntlet—eep—” Agatha cried.
Gauntlet had picked her up and was walking down the drive with her.
“Say bye!” Gauntlet repeated.
“Lucifer Jepson, I did not bring you up this way, young man! Put me down, and don’t be so dang rude…” Agatha’s tirade faded as Gauntlet marched her away, still carrying her.
A smile crossed my face at the sight of them before I wiped it off. No getting involved with neighbours or anyone else. That led to danger and to Arlo, Jax, and the others finding out where I was. Sadly, as horrible as it felt, I wouldn’t be going to dinner on Thursday, however much I might have wanted to.
Gauntlet
“Did you catch that?” Gran asked, spinning to me. I’d put her down in the kitchen, much to Savage and Harley’s amusement.
“What? You trying to ride herd on that girl to force her to dinner? She looked terrified,” I answered.
“Bah, no, she did not. Julie liked what she saw when she spotted you. Anyway, I’m talking about the slip she made. She went to call herself another name,” Gran continued and ignored what I said.
“No, she didn’t,” I replied, exasperated. Gran was matchmaking and giving the girl an air of mystery in order to entice me.
