Theo eyes him right back.
Neither man says a word to the other as Zen slides onto the curved couch on Emma’s other side, leaving only the chair beside my end of the couch open for Grey.
Laney makes a face at me, and I do my best to telegraphthey had a pissing contest over who got to have more of my attention this morning.
Pretty sure she gets the message, as she pinches her lips together in a classic LaneyI will not laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of thatface.
The minute Grey’s seated, Jitter lunges into his lap.
“Jitter,get down,” I order.
Jitter whines.
Grey pulls a treat out of his pocket, tells my dog to sit, which he doesin Grey’s lap, and then gives him the treat.
Then he shrugs at me. “He’s a good boy.”
Emma slides her brown eyes in his direction, then back at me.
Why is your dog in love with the guy who wants to take over your café?is the clear question here.
And wouldn’t I like an answer to that as well.
Zen suddenly seems to realize there are more people here than just Emma. “You’re Theo. Oh my god. Is it weird to say I loved your channel? If it’s weird, I won’t say it. But like, you got me through a really rough patch in college when all of my friends graduated before me and I was in a bad low spot of not really loving myself.”
“Aww, I told you that you were doing superhero work.” Laney smiles at Theo.
Grey’s jaw flexes so hard his whole beard moves. “Why didn’t I hear about these problems in college?”
Zen waves a dismissive hand. “You were in lust with Felicia, and I didn’t want to interfere with your happiness.” They look back at Theo. “I won’t mention that again either. But since people get judgmental about porn stars, I just wanted you to know you were doing good in the world.”
“Naked inspirational knitter,” he says.
“If you ever do it again, knit with your feet. Just trust me.”
Emma cracks up.
Actually cracks up with real laughter.
My eyes get hot, and it takes everything in me not to launch myself around Emma to hug Zen.
It’ssogood to hear Em laugh.
“If he does that, it wasn’t my suggestion,” Zen tells Emma. “Sorry. Forgot you two were related. Speaking of related, Sabrina, I saw your cousins. They asked if I had any magical sway to convince you to take a DNA test. What’s that all about?”
On the surface, I know it’s about the triplets using peer pressure to convince Laney to take a DNA test too.
But below the surface—if Grey told Zen what I told him this morning about my grandfather, I deserve this.
That’s why I told him.
So that when his grandmother gets here tomorrow, he can choose to respond by telling the entire town my own biggest secret. My mom’s biggest secret. My grandma’s biggest secret.
I’m playing with fire.
It’s only fair to give him a weapon too.
“What’s going on here?” I gesture to them, making a vague circling motion around their body. “You took a week to warm up to me enough to say hi, and you’re out here spilling deep dark secrets and being allyouthe first time you meet Theo, Laney, and Emma. What’s this about?”
