I smile. My grandmother is one-of-a-kind. So modern in some ways, yet old-school in others. Curse in her presence and she’ll gasp and scold you for “acting like a hooligan.” A heartbeat later, she’ll regale you with stories from charity functions that are wild enough to make a politician blush. Her third husband died a few years back, so she lives alone with a menagerie of pets on her massive Palm Beach estate. We usually talk every week, but I should really try to get down there more often to visit. “It’s good to hear your voice, too. How are your archery lessons coming along?”

“Excellent, I’m improving every week. Why, just yesterday I hit two bullseyes in a row, thanks to my wonderful Javier.”

I suppress a snort. Javier is my grandmother’s handsome, twenty-six-year old archery instructor.

At least, I hope that’s all he’s teaching her.

I pepper her with a few more questions, enjoying our unscheduled call as I ease my way into the problem with my bank account. I’m almost there when she beats me to the punch.

“As much as I love a good chat, is there any particular reason for this call, beyond checking up on my archery skills?”

Busted. I should have known better than to try to out-charm a charmer. The woman raised me and Piper after our parents passed, so of course she’s savvy to all of our tricks. Hell, she probably taught us most of them in the first place.

I clear my throat. “You know, I did have a little something I wanted to check in on. It looks like there’s a mix-up with my trust money this month. The deposit never made it into my account.”

“Oh, no need to worry about that.”

I don’t even realize I am worried until a wave of relief washes over me. See, I was right when I told Sarah everything would be okay. I’ll text her as soon as I’m off the phone and let her know it’s safe to finish the rest of the bear claws.

“There’s no mix-up,” she continues. “I’ve decided to cut you off.”

Zelda’s delivery is so syrupy that the meaning doesn’t sink in until I’m stepping off the curb. I lose my footing and stumble, almost squashing one of four yappy dogs that leap around my ankles like furry gremlins.

“Watch it!” A gigantic, musclebound guy scoops all four up in one motion, shooting me an offended glare as he cradles them to his beefy chest.

“Sorry!” I mutter, moving away.

“Phineas?” My grandmother asks.

“Yes! Sorry about that.” I duck into a coffee shop and head to the back to get away from the noise. “Did you say I’m cut off?”

“Indeed you did. I feel like I’ve been very patient with you, but this has gone on long enough. I warned you, you’re not a little boy anymore. You’re a grown man, and it’s past time for you to stop playing around. Until you settle down and shape up, I can’t continue to pay for your wayward lifestyle.”