“I guess it’s a good thing we got a table,” Reese said when Brantley hung up.
The bells over the door chimed.Reese peered back over his shoulder at the same time Brantley said, “But I’m not sure it’s gonna be big enough.”
Definitely gonna be one of those days.
Travis walked into the diner, his gazescanning the room.
“I’m meetin’ someone,” he told the waitress.“Can I get some coffee?”
She flashed a smile.“Sure thing.”
While she went to do that, Travis made his way past the tables currently filled with people looking to fill their bellies before the day started.It wasn’t until he reached Brantley and Reese’s table that the nostril-filling aroma of pancakes and syrup actually smelledgood.
How long had it been since that was the case?Since he’d enjoyed food rather than putting it in his mouth because his body required it?
At least one year, eight months, and twenty-six days.
“Mornin’,” Brantley greeted when he approached.
“Mornin’.You expectin’ someone else?”
“A few someones,” Brantley answered.But we’ll figure it out when they get here.Have a seat.”
Travis pulled out the chair in time to see Reese’s dog’s head pop up.She stared up at him, clearly not sure what to think.
“I promise I won’t step on you,” he told her as he sat, positioning his feet around her.
“Where’s Gage?”
“At home with the kids.And yes, he knows where I’m at.”Travis looked up when the waitress stopped at the edge of the table.She set down a mug and poured coffee into it.“Thanks.”
“Sure thing.Want somethin’ to eat?”
“Pancakes,” he told her.
He could sense Brantley’s surprise, but he ignored it.
“Anything with ’em?”
“No.”
He could feel his cousin’s eyes on him, knew Brantley was likely wondering what the hell was wrong with him.
“Stop lookin’ at me like that,” he muttered before taking a sip of his coffee.
“Pancakes?Really?”
“Shut up.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my cousin?”
Travis discreetly flipped Brantley off.“Shut the fuck up.”
“He said it with a smile,” Brantley mock-whispered to Reese.“Did you see that?A.Real.Smile.”
Doing his best not to get irritated, Travis glanced between them.He could tell Reese had something on his mind, so he stared at him, figuring it was the fastest way to get the guy to spill.
It worked.
