Make Me Yours

“Sure.” I take it from him and slip it into my bag. “I’m about a hundred percent decided.”

Or fifteen thousand percent.

At last Eleanor emerges holding a little girl’s hand. As soon as she sees us, she tosses her grandmother’s hand aside and takes off running toward her dad.

Light brown pigtails bounce around her shoulders, and she’s wearing a cute green dress with a navy bow and a white collar. She has a little white cardigan on top, and when she reaches Remi, she jumps.

He lifts her to his chest almost as if it were choreographed, and she throws her arms around his neck. “I made you a picture, Daddy, but Gigi said she has to hold it because it’s all wet.”

“I can’t wait to see it.” He kisses her cheek, and I swear to God, my insides are just all mush at the cuteness overload… and possibly a teensy bit envious.

I can’t imagine doing what she just did with my dad.

Not that I care anymore, of course.

“I want you to meet someone.” Remi turns to me, and I see how much they look alike. Her hair is lighter than his, but they have the same eyes, the same cute dimple in their cheeks. “Lillie, I’d like you to meet Miss Ruby Banks.”

She squirms forward, and I totally remember meeting them six months ago. Holy shit. She was squirming all over him, and I took one look and looked the other way. I could kick myself in the pants. Whatever. We’re here now.

“How do you do, Miss Ruby Banks?” Lillie holds out her little hand, and I squat down to her level to take it.

“Very well, thank you.” I shake her hand, and we both smile. “You’re very polite.”

“My Gigi said good manners show people you care.”

My eyebrows rise, and I glance up at her father. Remi shrugs.

“You’re very smart, too. I bet you make good grades in school.”

The little girl nods. “I do. You’re pretty.” Lillie looks up at her dad. “Is Ruby coming over for a playdate?”

“Ruby might be coming over to stay with us. If that’s okay with you.” He lifts the little girl to his hip again just as Eleanor reaches us.

“Like for a sleepover?” Lillie’s voice is loud, and Eleanor’s face is pure shock.

“I’m sorry. What did I miss?” A fake smile stretches her cheeks, and Eleanor’s voice sounds exactly as I expected it would—old, refined, and a touch bitchy.

She places an elegant hand on the top of her chest as Ma finds her voice as well.

“Ruby?” Her tone makes me wince. “What is he saying?”

“Sorry.” Remi steps forward. “I’m Remington Key.”

Ma takes his hand briefly. “June Banks, Ruby’s mother.” She looks at Eleanor. “We met at the ladies’ auxiliary brunch.”

“Yes,” Eleanor nods. “You’re the church secretary.”

Ma hated that brunch. She talked about it for two days, how the ladies there were not very Christlike. I never knew exactly what she meant, but now I think I have an idea with the way Eleanor says secretary. Like it’s a dirty word.

What she doesn’t know is just because my mom is tight-fisted and works as the church secretary, she has a shit-ton of money socked away. Still, even though my dad made us wealthy, Ma never allowed us to act materialistic or better than anyone. To her, valuing people simply because of how much money is in their bank account is as bad as lying.

“Remington.” Eleanor touches her son-in-law’s arm. “What is going on here?”

Remi’s eyes meet mine, and I swear in that moment, the decision is made. “Why don’t we discuss it over lunch.”

I follow his lead, taking my mom by the arm. “Come on, Ma. I’ll tell you everything over dumplings.”

“I made Sundubu-jjigae,” She is not amused, and I know she didn’t miss a thing.