Chapter 29. Melvin and Sam

If someone had told Melvin that he would Elaine at his grandma’s dinner, he would have branded the word ‘liar’ on the person’s forehead. But Elaine was there standing behind his brother in the oval living room, where they were all waiting for his grandma to lead them to the dining table.

“Good evening, everyone. Sorry, we’re late,” Andrew apologized.

“Great. Dinner can begin,” grandma said. “Andrew, what happened to your head?”

Elaine started to speak, “It was a-”

Andrew cut her off. “It was an accident. It’ll fade soon.”

Melvin shook his head at Elaine. “Why are you here?”

“Josephine invited me.”

Melvin turned to his grandma. “Is this true?”

“Yes,” his grandmother beamed. “Don’t you want her here?”

“That’s not it.”

Melvin stared at the blonde woman who sat beside him, with her hands folded and clasped in his laps. He’d found her at some kind of etiquette school, after his escort dumped him, and he’d determined that she wou