Reagan shot him a huge smile. “I really am, I promise. I’ve gotten better at my job so that everything isn’t a hassle, and the hours during the summer are full time so I’m earning more. I’m putting money aside and I feel like an adult.” She giggled.
“Classes start back up in August?” He watched her move efficiently around the kitchen.
“Yeah, at the end of the month.”
“Hi, you two.” Hudson came into the kitchen in shorts and a t-shirt, and Grant could see that he didn’t look as much his age when he dressed down. The last time he saw him in June he was wearing slacks and polos everywhere.
“Hi.” Reagan stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “I think I remembered everything.”
He surveyed what she’d set out. “You did good.”
“Aren’t you used to having summers off?” Grant asked as Hudson got out a few pans and got started on what looked like pork chops.
“Yeah, it’s been different, that’s for sure.” Hudson began slicing onions. “But I want to uphold a certain reputation and I kind of screwed it up.”
Reagan spoke up at Grant’s raised brow. “They were a little surprised when he told them we were in a relationship. Technically, it’s allowed because he isn’t my teacher, but they don’t like it.”
“So I volunteered for this position when I heard that there was a need.”
The skillet hissed when Hudson pushed the onions off the cutting board and into the melted butter. Grant’s mouth watered at the smell. He didn’t speak while Hudson seasoned the pork chops and stirred the onions. He added a handful of mushrooms and gave everything a stir before turning back to face Grant.
“Reagan says you were swamped at work.”
The small talk was killing him, but Grant answered politely. “Yeah, two of our guys were out with food poisoning. I had to work open to close, and it seemed as if everybody in town needed work done.”
Hudson pulled another beer out of the fridge for Grant. “I couldn’t do what you do.”
He couldn’t even hide the fact that he was positive that Hudson didn’t know how to change his own oil or anything else that required getting his hands dirty. “Well, clearly I couldn’t do what you do.” He smirked, and Hudson smirked right back. “It’s very hard work, but it pays the bills.”
Hudson turned back to the stove so Reagan stepped in and asked how Josh and Brent were doing. She finally got an animated response out of her brother when he showed her the most recent tattoo Brent gave him. He flipped his arm over and pointed to the fresh ink on his forearm.
“He got a new machine and he wanted to practice before he used it on his paying customers. Josh got one, too.”
Reagan looked over the beautiful lion with piercing green eyes. Brent was very talented. “It’s so lifelike.”
“It is.”
“I love it,” Reagan declared.
“Anytime you’re ready,” he teased. She had long ago decreed she was never getting a single tattoo. She didn’t like the idea of the pain.
“Yeah, maybe.”
Grant sat up straighter. “Wait, what?”
She shrugged. “Maybe I want one.”
“Since when?” He looked back and forth from her to Hudson, who was studiously ignoring them as he flipped the pork chops.
Reagan blushed slightly. “I don’t know, it might look good. I wouldn’t go to anyone but Brent since I know he can be trusted. Plus, you can’t deny he’s got a gift.”
Grant was flabbergasted. She’d always been very adamant about not getting one. She never lectured him for his choices, but she made it clear she didn’t enjoy the idea of a permanent scar in the form of a tattoo.
“Next time you’re in town,” he said with some effort. He tried to remind himself she was growing up and her opinions were bound to change.
“Maybe for my twentieth birthday.”
He didn’t know what else to say, but thankfully, Hudson was bringing food to the table. They went back to awkward small talk as they shared a meal, and Grant couldn’t help feeling like the third wheel. He hated being the outsider even though he should be used to it by then.
