I climb out of the truck and head inside, giving Austin a final wave. He waves back, waiting until I’m safely behind the doors before blowing me a kiss and pulling out.
Ugh. Why does everything he does make me all stomach-fluttery and stuff?
Deb looks like she’s ready to head to war—apron on, hair pinned back off her face. “Are you ready for a busy day?”
“Sure am. Let’s do it. Arlo’s coming in early too, right?”
She nods. “We’ve got a lot of prep to do. If it’s anything like lastyear… shew, I’m just glad I have you boys around this year.”
I smile, following her into the kitchen. I’m pretty damn glad she has us around this year too. And she will. For this one, and all the ones to follow.
“It’sboringtoday.”
“You’re not wrong.”
Arlo sighs, slumping into a booth as we sit around the diner. Other than our lunch rush, we’ve been dead. Deb made a Christmas Eve special since we’re closed from tomorrow until after New Year’s, and I thought for sure that it would bring in more people.
“How was y’all’s last self-defense class?”
I sit down across from him. “It was good. Still sucks you didn’t go.”
He shrugs, his face turning pink. “I know. I was busy, though.”
“You know you can talk to me, right? If something’s going on.”
“Yeah.” Arlo stares up at the ceiling. “I know.”
I wait to see if he’s going to say more, and when he doesn’t, I decide to let it go. This really has been the most boring day known to man. I’m ready to close up and get home. Austin doesn’t get days off, not like I’m about to, but I’m still excited to be able to spend time at home.
“How’s your writing going?” Arlo asks, turning to face me.
“It’s really good, actually. I’m about to round out the third act. River is about to find out that Noahdoeshave feelings for him afterall, and it’s not just pretend for him anymore, either.”
Arlo sighs. “So romantic. I can’t wait to read it. I can’t believe I’m friends with a real-life author.”
Until Damien, I was always dreaming up stories and coming up with grand ideas. But it still feels strange to refer to myself as an author. “I wouldn’t go that far,” I say, laughing a bit.
“I would. I couldn’t write a story to save my life.”
“This is actually the first time I’ve written anything of this magnitude. When I was younger, I’d mostly do little short stories, and then while I was with Damien, I didn’t write at all. Wonder if I could get it published.”
“I don’t see why you couldn’t.”
Yeah, no harm in trying. I’ve gotta get it finished, of course, but hell, at the rate I’m going, I could have it done by the end of next month. Or at least the first draft. “Yeah, maybe I’ll see how I feel when it’s finished. Anyway, are you still coming over tomorrow afternoon?”
Arlo sits up, excitement flashing in his eyes. “Yeah, definitely.”
I fiddle with my fingers under the table. I’m not used to having friends. Austin is such a fixture in my life that he doesn’t really count, but Arlo snuck in and blindsided me with his dry humor and unwavering support. “Thank you.”
His brows draw together. “What for? You’re the one who invited me. I’d be alone if not for you.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Thank you for being my friend. I’m glad we found each other.”
Arlo laughs, but then sobers. “Thank you for beingmyfriend. Until I came here, those were in short supply.”
I place a hand on the table, offering it to Arlo, who takes it and gives it a gentle squeeze. After smiling at him, I pull my hand awayand stand. “Alright, let’s find something to get into. I’m bored out of my mind.”
“Let’s send Deb home. Let her spend some extra time with Art.”
