“Do you have any more?”
He turns around and then looks back at me.
“I have two more,” he replies.
I give him a small smile. “Could I have one of them?”
He chuckles and puts two pancakes on my plate. He knows the way to my heart. I wanted both, but didn’t want to take them in case someone else wanted one.
“I could tell from your face that you really wanted both.” He laughs a little.
I give him a sheepish smile and chuckle.
“Thank you,” I reply.
Before anyone else can talk to me, I start to eat again. Right as I finish, Bear starts talking.
“Hey, Pres,” Bear semi-yells.
Pres looks over in our direction.
“Yes?” he replies.
“I was wondering if I could take Brooke out for a couple of hours?” Bear asks.
Pres thinks for a couple of seconds before smiling.
“Yeah, you can have the whole day off. Both of you,” he says, walking away.
“Thank you,” Bear calls.
I look toward Bear, confused.
“I can’t be gone all day. Gears needs my help in the garage,” I say.
“I promise you we have a very light load, and I can handle it. We have worked so hard these past couple of weeks, and we have caught up,” Gears says.
I open my mouth to interject, but Bear puts his finger on my lips.
“He says it’s a super light load and he can handle it. I want to show you something,” Bear says.
I look over at Gears, and he gives me a smile and a thumbs-up.
“I’m really telling the truth this time. I promise. Go have fun.” He puts his hand out.
I look him directly in the eyes and shake his hand.
“If I find out that you are lying, you won’t like what will happen.” I turn around and look at Bear.
I don’t wait to see his reaction, but from the chuckles I hear, I can only assume that he looks nervous.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I tell Bear.
Bear stands from his seat and walks toward me. I give him a little smile, which he returns. He grabs my hand and starts to lead me toward the front door.
“We will see you guys later!” Bear yells.
Several people shout bye to us as we walk out the front door.
