“One hug, pwease. For the tea.”
Smith glanced around, saw Evan, and froze.
Caught by the tender scene, Evan nodded to the girl with a smile then watched as Smith gathered her in his arms and stood tall. Her legs dangled, and she laughed as he swung her around.
He quickly set her down and put a finger over his lips.
Evan moved back so the little girl wouldn’t see him watching.
“I’ll be back soon. And I want a cookie next time.” Smith and the girl locked pinkie fingers, then Smith took her nightstand outside.
Before Smith could say anything and ruin the moment, Evan clapped him on the back. “Truck’s getting full soon. Hurry up and we’ll finish the day with a beer at Ringo’s. I’m buying.”
He took Smith’s grunt as a yes and wondered what else the gruff guy might be hiding behind that surly nature. Because he certainly had a big heart, and Evan never would have guessed.
And maybe that little girl wasn’t the only one needing a friend.
Chapter 8
“So. You got a thing for high tea and fudge stripes, eh?” Evan teased.
They sat in a fairly crowded Ringo’s Bar, hanging by themselves while Hector and his brother teased Reid and Naomi, who’d shown up for some relaxation time. Evan didn’t know if the others realized why they felt so comfortable together, but he thought they functioned more like family than coworkers.
Reid made sure they all had what they needed, and Cash was usually right by his side. Evan filled in when necessary, and the others liked spending time together. No one forced them to hang out after work. Theychoseto, laughing and enjoying themselves, because that familiar sense of solidarity abounded at Vets on the Go!
Smith, for once, didn’t focus on a Griffith brother. Instead he watched Evan with caution.
“What? I don’t bite.”
Smith grunted and swigged his beer. “Waiting for another smart-ass comment about my teatime.”
Evan grinned. “Aw, come on. It was cute. And what you did for that little girl was nice.”
Smith flushed, seeming disconcerted by the praise. “She’s only five. Has no idea why her old man isn’t around or why her mom keeps crying or flirting every two seconds with anyone swinging a dick.”
“Poor kid.”
“Yeah. Divorce isn’t fun, and it’s the kids who suffer the most.”
“Is that what happened to you?”
“Nah. I just had a shitty mom. No dad. Then I joined the Corps, and that was all she wrote.”
Evan nodded. “My parents had me later in life. Just me, no other kids. They meant well, and they loved me, but they could be a little much with the protection and hovering.”
“Better too much than not enough.”
“I guess.” Evan knew he’d been luckier than most, and he truly loved his mother. “So your mom, is she still around?”
Smith tensed for a brief moment. Had Evan not been watching him so closely, he might not have noticed. “She’s dead.”
“Sorry, man.”
Smith finished his beer. “It is what it is.”
“Any other family?” Evan asked carefully, not acting as if the answer meant anything. “Brother or sisters? Aunts, uncles?”
“Nah, just me.” Smith watched him.
