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Okay.
I turn so Grinny and Owen don’t see the ridiculous grin on my face as I pocket my phone and stir the chili. By the time Felicity walks in, I’ve heated the cornbread and have our silverware and glasses set up on the island. I dish the soup into the bowls and put them in place and motion for her to have a seat. She pulls out the stool and sits down.
“Thank you,” she says, not maintaining eye contact with me.
I chuckle and Owen calls out, “What’s funny?”
“Felicity just made a funny face,” I tell him.
Her eyes shoot to mine and narrow.
“Can I see?” Owen says.
Felicity turns to him and makes a silly face and Owen cracks up, Grinny too.
“Did you have fun at Sunny Side?” she asks.
“Yes. It was yummy,” he says.
“We would’ve stayed longer, but it filled up with tourists and I didn’t want to stress Jo out by hogging the table.” Grinny frowns. “Not many venture too far off of Heritage Lane, but it’sbeen happening more and more this year. Jo said we’re having a record year for tourism and somehow they’re hearing about her place now. She didn’t seem too pleased about it.”
“She needs a bigger place and more help if that keeps happening,” I say.
I take a seat next to Felicity and take my first bite of chili. My moan is obscene and I realize it because Felicity’s eyes fly to mine when she hears me, and her red cheeks are back. I grin and wrinkle my nose in apology.
“This is the best chili I’ve ever had in my life,” I tell her. My eyes widen. “Sorry, Grinny. Your chili is so good.”
“It’s okay, my boy.” Grinny laughs. She stands up. “That settles it. I’ve gotta try some of that. I couldn’t decide what I wanted at Sunny Side because after smelling this, it’s all I wanted.”
She grabs a bowl and ladles out a small portion. When she tastes it, she closes her eyes and nods.
“Oh, thatisgood,” she says. “Really good.”
Felicity’s face is radiant. “Thank you. You guys are so good for my ego. And you’re really the best to cook for—Weston is fun too, but my parents are very meat and potatoes, and my sister doesn’t do any carbs. I’ve tried to make it for her without the beans and it was too spicy.” She waves her hand. “I can’t get it right for her.” She looks down at her bowl, deep in thought for a second.
“Try the cornbread, Grinny. It’s delicious too,” I add. “I’ve had to work out more, having Felicity’s cooking every day.”
Felicity’s eyes track over my shoulders and chest, and I’m tempted to flex for her to make her laugh. Talking about her sister brings her down.
“Girl, you have got a gift,” Grinny says. “You must enjoy cooking.”
“I do.” Felicity brightens up, and I just stare at her for a few seconds, memorizing her face until I catch myself and take another bite of chili. “I started cooking more in college. It took my mind off of all the stress.”
“I used to feel that way too. I can’t say that I enjoy it as much as I used to, but I still like cooking big meals for the family,” Grinny says. “Since it’s just me most of the time, I find that I rarely cook anymore.”
My heart aches when she says that. She’s been so resilient since Granddad died, and we’ve all tried to spend time with her and be there for her, but I know it’s still not enough. She’s still alone a lot of the time.
I reach out and pat her hand. “You should come over for dinner more often. Every night, if you want. Or if you don’t feel like getting out, I can bring the leftovers to you.”
She smiles at me, her eyes shining. “You’ve always taken care of everyone,” she says, squeezing my hand. “When are you gonna let someone take care of you?”
I swallow hard, feeling that more intensely than she probably meant for me to. I smile to cover up the emotions and joke the way I usually do.
“The family just keeps growing—what’ll happen if I stop making sure everything runs smoothly?”
“You’ve made sure they’re the independent adults they need to be,” she says. “They’ll handle it just fine. It’s time you focus on you.” She points her finger at me with those last words, her grim look showing me she means it.
“Don’t worry about me, Grin. I could be saying all of this to you. And in fact, I am. You focus onyou.”
