“How’s your dad?”
“He’s doing fine.I’ve spoken to him on the phone quite a bit recently.”
“That’ll have done him good the two of you speaking again.”
“I’m going to surprise him when I get a minute.He doesn’t know I’m back yet.”
Hank pointed a finger at her.“Don’t wait too long on that.A man likes surprises, but not when everyone else in town knows before he does.And you just know someone will mention it to him.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.You left long enough to forget how this place works.By breakfast, three people will know where you parked and two will have opinions on your shoes.”Hank laughed and nodded toward the window.“You got the same table as you used to.”
Selena looked over.
Connor sat in the old booth.
So did Jessie Chase.
Jessie spotted her and sprang up before Selena had fully processed the sight.Blue hair, nose piercing, black tank top under a loose shirt, bracelets stacked along one wrist.She crossed the diner fast and wrapped Selena in a hug.
“I didn’t realize you’d be here,” Selena said, returning it.
Jessie pulled back.“Connor let slip he was meeting you here.I thought I’d crash for a few minutes.”
Connor lifted both hands from the booth.“I didn’t let anything slip.She interrogated me.”
“You made one face when I asked what you were doing tonight,” Jessie said.“That’s enough.”
Selena looked at her.“Staying long?”
“Can’t.I’ve got yoga.”
Selena stared.“Yoga?You?”
“It’s part of my recovery.”Jessie made a face, then smiled.“But I’m actually really digging it.”
“That might be the most surprising thing I’ve heard since coming home.”
“I contain multitudes.”
Connor said, “She bought one mat and now she talks like a meditation app.”
Jessie pointed at him.“Mockery blocks spiritual growth.”
“It hasn’t blocked yours.You’re getting louder.”
She sat beside Connor and shoved his shoulder.“Anyway, I came to say hi and thank you properly.”
Selena slid into the booth across from them.“Did you get your birthday present last week?I mailed it in time, I think.”
Jessie’s face changed.The sarcasm eased away, leaving something open and younger.“I did.It made my day.You shouldn’t have spent that much on me.”
“I wanted to.”
Connor leaned back, shaking his head."Yeah, you shouldn't have.Buying my sister the same classic Walkman she had when she was a little girl really made my drinks and a slap-up meal at Roy's look bad."
Jessie punched him in the arm.
