“Tell me again why we’re here at eight a.m. on a Saturday?” Jake yawns and stretches his arms.
Rolling my eyes, I swing the door open before Jake catches it. “Because I’m working, and you want to help our community.”
“Yeah, look, I’m all for helping the community, but why me and not Levi or Kamila?”
“Kamila went to bed late last night, and Levi and Stevie are going to visit her moms in Woodstock. You were my only option,” I try to justify. The Levi and Stevie situation is true, but I didn’t ask Kamila. Not yet, maybe another day once I sort out what’s happening with Grayson and can answer her questions.
He gives me a side-eye. “And you love me,” I add, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.
He lets out a short laugh. “Liar.”
“Nope, just trying to work and make a difference.”
“Uh-huh, sure.” I don’t look at him as we walk through a hall and emerge into a large dining area filled with long tables and benches to seat as many people as possible.
Jake observes the room with me. I chose Jake because he’s the only one who’s more secretive than I am, so he’ll keep his mouth shut after we get out of here. But he’s observant, so I know he can read through my bullshit.
Then again, I’m one to talk. I’m probably the nosiest person in the group and basically outed Kami and Cam to everyone, but I like to think I’ve changed a bit over the past year. After everything Levi and Stevie went through, I realized that my nosiness comes from love and care for my friends, but I also needed to tone it down a bit, and I have. On the other hand, most of my friends are taken and happy, so until Jake is ready to settle down, I’ll really see how much that part of me has lessened.
Ending my thoughts with that, I put my focus back on the room. It’s clean, not fancy at all, but the tables and benches look of good quality. The walls are white, with some event signs around town, but there’s no color or music playing.
I know it’s not a club or restaurant, but jeez, it doesn’t have to look totally depressing either. If people are allowed to stay for a maximum of an hour and a half after they sit down to eat, then they should be able to enjoy some cheerful music in the background. Although I’m pretty sure not hearing music is their biggest concern.
A loud crash comes from the back, where two large doors are on either side of the wall. In front of them is the serving station, which doesn’t have any food yet, but that’s only because they are still prepping, according to the email Grayson sent me with all the details on where and when to arrive.
One of the doors swings open, and Professor Hayes walks in wearing a black apron over a black T-shirt and a pair of worn-out dark jeans.
He’s sporting a massive smile as he finishes a quick conversation in Spanish with someone who sounds like she’s yelling at him unhappily, but they’re clearly close to each other by the way he’s looking at her. He starts running a bit when a short, older woman comes out with a wooden ladle, threatening to hit him. I catch some of the words like “I’m gonna hit you, you bastard.”
“Is it weird that I understood most of what she said because it was a lot of cussing and threats?” Jake asks next to me with his head tilted.
Smiling slightly at the carefree Grayson I’m seeing, and the deep chuckle of his that echoes in the large room, I shake my head. “We learned most of our Spanish from Kamila, and she’s cursing most of the time. So, no, it’s not.”
Grayson raises his hands in surrender after she hits him three times when he sits on a bench.
“No mas por favor.”
“La próxima vez me escuchas. Esta es mi cocina, no la tuya. Tú pagas por la comida y vienes cuando quieras a ayudar.”
“Sí, señora.”
I raise both eyebrows, impressed at how she handled him. My Spanish isn’t great, but I got the gist.
After she leaves, Grayson stands and turns his head slightly, meeting my eyes. Instead of frowning like he usually does, his lips turn upward. I return the gesture and wave.
His gaze shifts toward Jake, and his jaw goes rigid. My friend quickly gives me anow I get itlook and crosses his arms, as if he’s sizing him up.
“Jacob, that is someone I’m trying not to piss off. Will you relax?”
“Once he gets it through his head that you guys aren’t together, then sure.”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb, Em.” I place a hand on my hip, and Jake sighs. “Is there something going on between the two of you? I’mjust trying to be a good friend and make it clear to both of you that this is just work. I have a feeling that’s what I’m here for.”
I elbow his side, annoyed at how obvious everything is to him. “Of course nothing is going on between us.”
He scoffs. “Does he know that?”
