Feeling heavy surveillance on me, I lift my gaze and find Olivia carefully watching me. She’s in no rush to get her coffee as she claimed. Is it some sort of test? Feeling like a member of some survival reality show, I adjust my grip on the little man in my arms, securing him tighter to my chest. That seems to make Olivia happy, considering the wide-ass smile currently stretching across her face. With a short, satisfied nod, she pats Jake on his shoulder and grabs the menu off the counter.
Brodie reaches up and grabs a fistful of my beard.
“Ow,” I mutter, trying to extract his fingers.
Nora watches me with barely contained amusement. “Need help there, big guy?”
“I’m fine,” I grunt, though the kid is now trying to climb up my shoulder like I’m a human jungle gym he doesn’t like very much, punching me with his little knees as he goes.
Jake laughs. “He does that to everyone. Don’t take it personally.”
“Wasn’t planning to,” I say, finally getting Brodie settled against my chest. The kid immediately relaxes, resting his head on my shoulder like he’s found his new favorite spot. Something in my chest tightens, and I want to rub the ache off.
“Look at that,” Moon says, eyeing me with new interest. “Steve’s got the touch.”
“Jericho,” Nora and I say in unison, which makes her laugh.
“So,” Jake starts, sitting next to us, “how long have you two been a thing?”
My mouth opens but no sound comes out. Nora’s face flushes crimson.
“We’re not—” she starts, just as I say, “It’s new.”
Nora’s head whips toward me, eyes wide. Jake’s eyebrows shoot up, and Olivia nearly spits out her coffee.
“Well,” Moon says, looking smug, “isn’t that interesting.”
Cheryl snorts. “So it’s official now? Good to know. I’ll update the town bulletin board.”
“There’s no bulletin board,” Nora mutters.
“I’ll make one,” Cheryl replies sweetly.
Brodie chooses that moment to pat my face with his sticky hand, leaving what I hope is just jelly on my cheek. I don’t flinch, which earns me an approving nod from Olivia.
“He likes you,” she says again, this time with certainty. “He usually screams bloody murder with strangers.”
“I’m honored,” I say dryly, bouncing the kid slightly when he starts to squirm. He immediately settles, and I find myself oddly proud of this small victory.
Jake watches me with narrowed eyes. “So you’re plowing driveways now? Jonah mentioned something about that.”
“Among other things,” Cheryl mutters under her breath.
“Cheryl!” Nora hisses.
Jake bursts out laughing, and Moon joins in, her cackle cutting through the diner. Nora’s face is now the color of her hair.
“Among other things,” I agree, finding my voice and surprising myself with the confidence in it. I look directly at Nora while I say it, and her eyes widen while the crimson creeps down to her neck now.
“Okay!” she says loudly, clapping her hands together and walking behind the counter. “Who wants breakfast? Roman’s making those apple pancakes everyone loves.”
“Deflection,” Jake coughs into his hand.
I adjust Brodie on my hip, finding a rhythm that keeps him content. The kid’s eyes are getting heavy, his head lolling against my shoulder. There’s something strangely familiar about holding him—like muscle memory from a life I didn’t know I had.
“Give him here,” Olivia says, reaching for her son. “He’s about to pass out, and you look like you need rescuing.”
I hand Brodie over, feeling oddly reluctant to let him go. “He’s a good kid.”
