"Can you give me the recipe?"
"Do you have anything to write on?"
I put the phone on loudspeaker and opened the application for notes on my phone.
"Yes I do."
I typed into my phone as she spoke, then held it to my ear again once she was done.
"Thank you. I'll check if he has any of the ingredients, and if he's missing any, there's a farmer's market a few blocks away. I'll go shopping there."
"He talks about you often, you know."
"He does?"
"Of course. About you and Milo. He's quite taken with both of you. Graham is a great man, Lori. Take good care of him." Even though her tone was still warm, it held a hint of warning.
"I promise."
We chatted for a while, and she regaled me with stories from his childhood. I loved this window into his past and was already making mental notes about all the ways I could tease him. Nana was giving me excellent ammunition.
After hanging up, I checked his fridge and pantry, but he was still missing a few herbs for the concoction, so I headed out to the farmer's market. By the time I returned and prepared the remedy, we were on a time-crunch. Graham was already awake when I brought it to his room. I handed him the mug, and he looked up in surprise.
"Y
ou know how to make this?"
"Now I do. Spoke to Nana."
"My nana?"
"Yes. I brought you the phone when she called, but you were asleep, and then she called again. I answered to tell her you were sleeping, and we started talking. She gave me the recipe. Found some things in your kitchen, and bought the rest from the farmer's market. You should call Nana back when you have the chance."
He took several sips and didn't say anything in between. Had I committed a faux pas by answering his phone? I hadn't even stopped to consider that maybe I'd overstepped some boundaries. He downed the entire contents of the mug, set it on the nightstand, and slid lower on his pillow. He patted the mattress, and I climbed right next to him. I still felt a little awkward about the phone call.
These past two weeks, I'd sensed some unease on Graham's part; a few times he'd seemed to want to talk, then changed his mind. Maybe I was reading too much into everything. I'd been jumpy since the meeting with Jeff, and felt guilty that he'd driven Graham to violence. I hoped Graham didn't think this kind of drama was bound to happen again. My life was usually drama-free.
"Graham, did I do something wrong? Should I have not answered your phone?" He turned on his side, facing me. "No, not at all. I'm just surprised you went to so much trouble."
"It wasn't trouble at all," I assured him, detecting a hint of emotion in his eyes. Did he think he wasn't worth that "trouble"? I had to rectify that. I scooted closer to him, intending to prove my appreciation.
"So, what did you and Nana talk about?"
"You, of course. She told me many stories. I can tease you for years."
"I knew it. Should have been there for your first conversation, so I could save face."
"I'm fairly confident Nana would've dished dirt on you even so."
"Probably." He kissed my cheek. "I won't kiss your mouth, just in case."
"I came all the way here, and I don't even get a kiss?"
"I said I won't kiss your mouth. Didn't say anything about other body parts."
He scooted closer, kissing my bare shoulder and my neck.
"You're taking advantage," I informed him, failing to work any sort of severity in my tone.