Hal says, “How ’bout we split a stroopwafel, Nancy? Lady and the Tramp style. You take one end, I take the other…”
“And I choke you with it? Tempting,” Grandma Nancy says, cutting him off.
The people around them laugh as they entertain the whole shop.
I wait until I’m outside to let out my bottled-up laugh and all the tension from seeing Juju.
Once I’m at the restaurant a little later, I call Jackson.
“Hey, man, it’s been a while,” he says.
“I know. It’s been crazy here. Sorry I’ve gone quiet.”
“No, I get it. You’ve got a lot going on. How’s the restaurant?”
I grin. “Great. I can’t believe how well, actually. I thought it might be a slow starter, but people are driving in from all over.”
“I love it.”
“How are things with you?”
“Can’t complain. I actually can’t talk long. I’ve got a woman here.”
“Oh, really? Why does that not surprise me?” I laugh. “Anyone I know?”
He chuckles. “I doubt it. I don’t even know her all that well.”
I swipe my hand over my face and shake my head. “I should’ve known. Hey, I can let you go.”
“Wait. I’m glad you called. I miss you, man.”
“I miss you too.” I nearly don’t say anything, but I can’t help myself. “Juju’s been seeing a guy who works for me—his name is Bentley.”
“Do we not like him?” He sounds gruff already, and inwardly, I feel bad for doing this to Juju. But it’s for her own good. And maybe mine a little.
“I like him fine, but I don’t know him well. He’s from Texas.”
He grumbles.
“Very polite,” I add.
“The worst ones are.”
“I tried to look out for her the other night. She was drinking, and I know she doesn’t know him well.”
“Dammit. She’s oblivious to what these jerks want. Watch out for her, okay? And I’ll talk to her.”
“No, I don’t want her to know I told you. I just—” I sigh at the ceiling. What did I want out of this? And why does it feel so wrong? “You know what, she’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.”
“She’s naive sometimes, though, you know she is. She believes the best in everyone. Except you,” he says, laughing. “I miss the days when you guys annoyed me with how close you were.”
“You do?” I freeze.
“Yeah. I was jealous when we were younger, but it beats you wanting to strangle each other.”
“Huh.” I could not be more surprised by this.
“Anyway. Promise you’ll watch out for her, even if you end up fighting with her in doing so.”
