Maria gives me a little nudge. “Okay, go finish eating, and I’ll tidy up the kitchen. Josh take that kitten upstairs and keep him there out of the café until we’re ready to go.”
As I head back to the table and slide into the booth across from Nicklas, Maria flips the sign on the door and sees Grant and her mom out. The boys thunder up the stairs like a herd of caffeinated elephants while she disappears into the kitchen.
I dig into my chowder. It’s cooler now, but still damn near religious.
“I cannot believe you just did that,” Nicklas says, shaking his head, half impressed, half horrified.
“Trust me,” I mutter. “Neither can I.”
He studies me like I just volunteered to donate a major organ, then turns his attention to the one dinner roll left on the plate. “Are you going to eat that?”
His hand makes a grab for my roll and I slap it away. “Touch it and lose it.”
He grins. “Wow. Possessive.” He continues to grin at me.
I glare back. “What?”
“You must really like her.”
I take a bite of bread, chew slowly, stare at him. “Really like who?”
He snorts. “Oh yeah. That’s convincing. Say that again but blink more.”
I turn my attention to my chowder. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t. You just went full white-knight the second she so much as blinked.”
“Why don’t you fuck off and finish your chowder.”
“For what it’s worth,” he says, leaning back. “I think she likes you too.”
“What part of fuck off don’t you understand?”
He laughs, entirely too pleased with himself. “Relax. I’m just saying. There’s nothing wrong with you playing house.”
“I am not playing house.”
“Dude, you practically offered to braid her hair.”
I glare at him. “I did not?—”
“You had the energy.”
I point my spoon at him. “You are exhausting.”
“Now you sound like Stella.” He laughs. “All I’m saying,” he continues, completely ignoring me. “Is that no woman is ever going to have me pussy whipped. I’m sticking with the bunnies. Clear expectations. They want one thing. I generously provide that one thing.”
“Generously,” I repeat flatly.
“I’m a giver.”
“You’re a public health announcement.”
He shrugs. “You do you. I’ll do me. Or, more accurately, I’ll do the bunnies.”
I shake my head and go back to my chowder. “That reminds me. When my sister comes to visit.” His eyes light up in a way I deeply dislike. “I don’t want you within a fifty-foot radius of her.”
He grins wider. “If she looks anything like you, then I’m not interested.”
