“Ow.”
“Not everything’s a competition, bro.”
Selena watched them with a faint smile.The bickering had an old rhythm, worn smooth by years.Beneath it sat something steadier.Connor’s eyes followed Jessie with the watchfulness of a man who had carried fear too long and had not yet learned to put it down.
Jessie reached across the table and squeezed Selena’s hand.“Seriously.Thank you.I cried like an idiot.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“I loved it.Found a tape at the thrift store the next day.Bon Jovi.Felt like I was twelve again, which was awful but also kind of amazing.”
Connor lifted his coffee mug.“She played it in my truck.”
Jessie raised an eyebrow.“You loved it,”
“I’m more of a Guns N’ Roses man.”
Jessie checked the clock above the counter.“I better go.I don’t want to be late.”
Selena stood to hug her again.“Let me know if you get any downtime.”
“I will.”
“Enjoy yoga.Just don’t break anything,” Connor said.
Jessie pressed her palms together and bowed her head with exaggerated solemnity.“I flow like a river.”
Connor looked at her.“Where did you get that, a fortune cookie?”
She tapped him on the arm.
“You know that’ll leave a bruise.”
“Good.”
Jessie kissed her brother on the cheek, then headed for the door.At the last second, she stopped, turned, and lifted both hands to form a rectangle with her fingers, framing Selena and Connor in the booth like a photograph.
“Now this is a nice sight.”
Selena sat back down.“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.”
Jessie’s smile widened.“You never know.”
The bell rang as she left.
Connor watched through the window until Jessie crossed the lot and climbed into an old blue hatchback.Only when the car pulled away did he turn back.
“Ignore her.This is part of her whole newfound life routine.Since she got clean, now I’m the one that needs fixin’ apparently.”
“I’m happy for her.”
“So am I.”Connor’s fingers circled his mug.“It hasn’t been easy getting her through rehab.”
“I know.I’ve talked to her about it on the phone quite a bit.”
He looked up.
Connor gave a small nod, conceding without agreeing.“She’s lucky to have you in her corner.”
