Wren gave him a disbelieving look and swatted him away. “Go find us a seat, baby water bird.”
Rowan passed up the next order’s plate, and Juniper was surprised to read off the name it belonged to.
“Lightfoot?” She called out.
From her spot leaning against a tree in front of them, Beckett untucked her hands from her pockets and approached. Juniper caught Wren flick her eyes casually toward the unsuspecting approaching guest, back to the service window, and then back to Beckett within seconds.
Juniper thought for a second. “Have you two met?” She asked.
Wren’s “No-” was interrupted by Beckett’s “I don’t believe so-”.
“Wren, this is Councilwoman Lightfoot. Wren is my cousin.”
Beckett flipped her blacked-out aviators on top of her head. “Nice to meet you.” Her gaze flickered briefly over Wren. “It’s Beckett outside of Council engagements.”
Juniper had to admit she looked good that day in her black sweater-style polo that strained against her muscled biceps. She was wondering if somehow Wren also thought the same thing, judging by the out-of-character way she was tracking the movements of her arms as she leaned past Wren to grab napkins and a fork.
“You’re on Council?” Wren asked.
“That’s what Juniper said.”
Wren narrowed her eyes at her. “I know that. I’m just trying to make conversation.”
Beckett gave her the slightest smile. “Then ask me something else you don’t know the answer to.”
“Are you always an asshole?” Wren fired back.
“Woah, Wren!” Juniper whisper-shouted.
Beckett swiped a thumb against her bottom lip to hide a slightly wider smile as she reached up for her plate. “Is that another question you already know the answer to?”
Wren breathed out sharply through her nose. Ignoring both Juniper and Beckett, she called into the service window, “Hey, Rowan, you should throw a bonfire at your new house.”
Rowan did a double take as she struggled to process where the conversation was going. “Uh, sure. In a couple weekends?”
“Perfect.” Without saying anything else, Wren turned on her heel and walked toward the picnic table Wanchese was sitting at.
“Sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into her,” Juniper apologized.
“Nothing to apologize about.” Beckett smirked as she looked from Juniper to Wren, then back to Juniper. She double-tapped the service window ledge. “I do love a good bonfire.”
???
Rowan passed the next two plates to Sam for his finishing touches with the toppings. She used the hand towel she’d draped over her shoulder to wipe down the prep area. Sam finished the plate and slid it to the service area.
“I know almost calling her the b-word wasn’t right, although I will defend myself and say it was mostly teasing.” Rowan cut her eyes at Sam, and he held his hands up. “Mostly.” He dropped his voice down to an utter as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Rowan on the assembly line. “But you can’t deny she’s fucking bossy.”
Rowan smiled to herself and looked over at Juniper absolutely handling shit amongst the mayhem. “I’ll allow that.”
Sam let out a strangled sigh. “Don’t tell me you like thatshit.”
Rowan slapped the brim of his hat so it fell backward off his head. “I don’t know you seem like the type too,Little Sammy.”
“Fuck off, Birdsong.” They laughed together as they assembled another Indian taco. “I really missed you, man,” he added.
She bumped his shoulder. “I missed you too.”
They both felt Juniper’s stare. Sam raised his voice. “Hey, keep that sappy shit to yourself until later, Birdsong.”
