“What?”
“Kaden was actually the one who built this.”
“What!” he squeals, bursting with delight, before glancing up at Kaden. “Did you really build this?”
“I sure did, bud,” Kaden replies.
“Can you help me build my school project too?”
“Zac! Kaden has his hands full already. And didn’t you say you’ll be working on it with your dad?”
“That’s what he promised. But he always forgets or says he’s too busy at the moment.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to let the frustration show as it swells. I’m getting really sick and tired of Adrian disappointing our son time and time again.
“You know what,” Kaden murmurs, as if sensing my growing irritation. “I would love to help you out on your school project. What do we have to do?”
Zac straightens his spine, his legs lightly kicking against the base of the bench. “I have to build a small model house using only natural and recycled materials.”
“That should be easy. When is it due?”
“Next Friday.”
“Great, that’s still plenty of time. How about we work on it this weekend?”
“Okay!” Zac smiles. “I’ve got soccer on Saturday morning, then I’m going to lunch with my mum for fried zucchini flowers and I’m going to beat her at basketball after. Can we start on Sunday?”
The two grown men chuckle, and I have to suppress a laugh of my own.
“I hear you’re a big fan of my zucchini flowers,” Jason says.
Zac frowns, clearly confused by the comment.
“Jason owns the restaurant, honey,” I explain.
“Really? Does that mean I can get them for free because you’re my mum’s friend now?”
“Zac, could you stop trying to trick these two men into getting what you want?”
“How about this,” Jason says gently, “if you help out at the restaurant from time to time, you can have as many as you like. I could use a strong young man like you around to help.”
“I’ll do it for an extra chocolate fudge cake.”
“Okay, Zac. That’s enough negotiating. Pretty soon you’ll be trying to get him to sign his restaurant over to you.” I glance at Jason and then Kaden. “Sorry, gentlemen. He can be quite the little manipulator when he wants to be.”
Kaden lets out a small laugh, his hands now buried in his pockets. “He’s a smart kid, I’ll give him that. One day, he’s going to be a fierce negotiator.”
“That, he definitely will,” Jason agrees.
I shake my head, trying not to smile, but my efforts fail as my lips spread into a wide grin. “Well, um… thank you, guys, for helping me get my new bench delivered. I’m seriously obsessed with it. I can totally see myself out here every morning with my cup of coffee.”
Kaden smiles. “It’s a solid piece and will hold up in any weather year-round. But if it gets even a tiny chip or scratch, just let me know. I’ll be happy to fix it for you, free of charge.”
“Thank you. Kaden. I appreciate that.”
I rise to my feet and hold out my hand to Zac. He takes it without hesitation. “I’ll walk you guys out.”
As we walk to the front, Jason and Kaden pepper my son with questions—his age, what year he’s in at school, how long he’s been playing soccer—and he answers each one with confidence. When we reach their truck, Jason climbs straight into the driver’s seat, while Kaden lingers a moment longer by the passenger door.
