“Yes.Everything is perfect,” Joesph answered, walking towards the middle of the room, his arms extended out.“It’sfabulous!”He looked at Mike.“Speaking offabulous, you are looking extremely handsome.”
“Thank you.”Mike smiled.
“And...”Joesph motioned for Jamie to come to him.“And this spectacular specimen isjustas fabulous.”
Jamie could feel Mike’s roaming eyes on him.“I would agree,” Mike said, his eyes locking onto Jamie’s.
“Now then, the two of you go and have a wonderful dinner and...whatever else.”Joesph’s sly catlike smile landed on Mike.“And please do keep him out late.Very,verylate.”Joesph gave Jamie a shove towards Mike.“You have my permission to do...unspeakablethings to him.”
Jamie looked over his shoulder at Joesph.“You need to shut up.I’m starting to regret buying you vodka.”
* * * * *
Mike opened the doorof his truck for Jamie, and Jamie thanked him as he climbed into the big behemoth.They drove in silence for several minutes.“So...”Mike started.“How was your day?”
Jamie’s face scrunched up.“Boring.I started unpacking all the stuff from my Atlanta apartment.It amazes me how much crap you accumulate when you stay in one space for a while.”
“Yeah, I hear you.”Mike glanced over at Jamie.“I try not to do that, but it just happens.I moved about a lot early in my army career, so it didn’t happen as much, and I’ve only been here eighteen months, and I’ve already got more crap than I need.Sometimes I don’t know how it even got there.”
“I know.Right?”Jamie couldn’t help but notice Mike’s thick thighs, the jeans looking strained.“I need to...start cleaning out some of my grandparents’ stuff.I’m having a hard time letting it go.Joesph is helping.Just him being here is a big help.”
“It’s hard to let go.”Mike cleared his throat.“Joesph is a good friend, and what he’s managed to do with that flooring blew me away.I’d have never thought of...well, doing what he did.”
“It does look good.I’m ready for it to be finished.”Jamie was noticing that things had changed since he was last here.So much change.
“A lot has happened with the diner in a very short amount of time.I know it seems to be slow going, but I’m surprised at what has happened so quickly.”Mike put on his left turn indicator.“We’re here.I wish the army could move as fast.”
“I’ve not been in this place but once, and I was only eleven, I think.It’s hard to even remember.”
“I’ve been told that here’s a staple for some people and for special occasions.”Mike parked the car and hopped out.
Damn, I almost need a step ladder to get out of this truck.
Chapter Fifty-One
They walked to theentrance and were greeted by a young blonde woman.“Welcome to the Copper Kettle.Do you have a reservation?”
