“Is he going to be doing the kitchen?”Walter whispered.
Jamie laughed.“No, I’ll be dealing with the kitchen, personally.”
“Okay.Good.”Walter took off his ball cap and wiped his head.“I don’t know if I could work in a pink kitchen.”
Jamie doubled over, almost sitting on the floor, he was laughing so hard.
Salzy came in, the screen door closing quietly behind him.He glared at Jamie.“Thanks, Walter.That’s the best bacon and egg sandwich you’ve ever made me.”He rinsed off his plate and empty milk glass.
Jamie was smiling at his friend.“Wasn’t it too hot to eat out there?”
“It was cool in the garage.Cooler than in here.”
“There’s a guy coming later today to have a look at the AC in the dining room.Unfortunately, there isn’t any air-conditioning in the kitchen.”Jamie mopped his brow with an old dish towel.“His boss is coming too, and I’m hoping they can give me a quote on putting it in here too,” he said, waving his hand around the kitchen, still holding the towel.
There was a burst of laughter, as the waitresses came into the kitchen—Joesph right behind them.
Uh-oh.Jamie saw Joesph’s gaze fall on Salzy.He sauntered over.“And who is thisgorgeousspecimen?”
“This is...uh...”Jamie smiled brightly.“This is my very straight friend, and tenant, Sally.”
Salzy’s head whipped around, his fist already raised.Jamie had enough sense to jump back, just out of reach.Salzy’s eyes narrowed to slits, looking at Jamie who was doing his best not to laugh out loud.
“Hi,” Salzy turned to Joesph.“I’m Jesus Miguel Santos Salazar.Myfriendscall me Salzy or Sal, butnotSally!”
Jamie, having recovered, said, “He’s working as my handyman this month.”Jamie stared Joesph hard in the eyes.“He’s very much off limits.Got it?”
“Yes.Yes, I got it.”Joesph rolled his eyes at Jamie and extended his hand to Salzy.“I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful...workingrelationship.”
“Good.”Jamie sighed in relief.“You want something to eat or drink?”
“I would love a Diet Coke.This heat is too much.I had my green smoothie on the way down, so I’m not hungry.”
“I’ll get it,” Hazel said, since she was standing by the drink station.
“Where will I be staying?”
“There’s an upstairs apartment.It’s where I grew up.”
“I can’twaitto see this!”Joesph looked around.“Do we go out the front?”
“No.”Jamie pointed to the back door of the kitchen.“That way.You can park behind the diner.Do you have a lot of bags?”
“Darling, what do you think?”Joesph patted him on the chest.
“Well, hell.”Jamie started towards the back door.
“I’ll get your bags,” Salzy volunteered.“Is your car locked?”
Joesph handed Salzy the keys and winked at him.“Thank you.You’re very kind.”
“Want me to drive it around back?”
“No!”Joesph seemed to be slightly ruffled.“No one drives Belinda besides me.”
“Belinda?”Salzy grinned.“Very cool.”
Joesph smiled.“Thank you.I’ll bring her around in a bit, and there’s only two bags I need for now.One is clothes, and the other is all work.It’s the bigger of the two.There are a few boxes in the trunk.I’ll get those when I set up for work.”
