“I think so, too. I’ll see you at ten. No dogs, right?”

“Right. Just us,” she twinkled.

Boomer groaned as he opened the door for her. He groaned again as she blew him an airy kiss. A cold shower was exactly what he needed.

“I hear a car,” Anthony said excitedly.

“Thank God. I used to come home around this hour when I was younger,” Lola said, her eyes on the clock. “Remember now, we did not sit up all night waiting for her. Anthony, bang some pots or something. Mandy, set the table!” Lola ordered. “This is not out of the ordinary. This is…it is…well, it’s what it is.”

“Cady, sweetie, did you go out to the bakery to surprise us?” Lola said, peering at her disheveled granddaughter the minute she walked through the kitchen door. “Is that a strange car I see in the courtyard?”

Cady eyed the occupants of the kitchen. A grin stretched across her face. “You’ve been up all night waiting for me, haven’t you?” She winked at Anthony, who flushed a rosy hue.

“We did no such thing. You know we’re early risers. Anthony promised to make us eggs Benedict. Mandy and I couldn’t wait. Why am I getting the feeling you don’t believe me?” Lola fretted.

“You’re so full of it, the three of you. Besides, you are all transparent as hell. You’re wearing the same clothes you were wearing when I left. You look as messy as I do. Eggs Benedict, huh?”

“Yes, eggs Benedict,” Anthony said, banging a fry pan for emphasis.

“You need ingredients to cook, Anthony. I guess you want to know what happened,” she teased. She sat down and stretched her legs out. “Coffee would be great right now,” she hinted.

“Only if you want to tell us,” Lola said, looking about the kitchen, her demeanor offhand.

They pinned her with their respective gazes. “Nothing happened.”

They were aghast. “Nothing!” the trio said in unison.

“How can that be? We gave you detailed instructions. We did everything but give you a blueprint.”

Cady rolled her eyes as she accepted the cup of coffee Anthony held out. “We talked all night and fell asleep on his couch. He is a…magnificent kisser in case you’re interested. When I tell you he can make my blood sing, you can believe it!”

Lola clapped her hands in delight. “I just knew it. He has that look. Never mind, I’ll explain it some other time,” she said to Anthony and Mandy, who blinked in surprise at her statement. “Such restraint! I think we like him.” Mandy and Anthony nodded in agreement.

“He said he’s loved me all his life. What do you think of that?” She hoped it was the bombshell they were hoping for. She hated to disappoint them.

Anthony sniffed as he oiled the fry pan. “Men say that all the time. It’s to disarm you and make you feel vulnerable so you let your guard down, then they pounce. I’m a man,” he said, as if that was all the explanation needed.