Page 76 of Statler

“That’s great,” he said, instead of swearing. “We’ll look forward to seeing you. Maybe during lunch?”

“That’s the best part,” Eliza’s face took on a look of joy. “I get to buy you all food on the company tab. And it won’t be cold, cardboard pizza, I promise. I was told that I could have Granny whip up your mid-day meals.”

“Awesome,” Tonka gushed, because his stomach was always is charge. “Do we get a menu, or do we trust you to decide?”

Eliza leaned forward and patted his knee. “I would never presume to choose for you, but Granny will. And trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”

Statler glanced at her fingers as she drew them back, and disguised a pout.

He wanted Eliza’s small hand on him.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The fish from the grill tasted like…memories, but Eliza wasn’t about to wallow in self-pity, because this bunch, Statler’s crew, was just too much fun for her head to get stuck in the past. She refused to let thoughts of Holden color her enjoyment or her perception of the group.

There was nothing dark here.

Statler, Blue, Dizzy, Tonka, Pipes, Hazard, and Sherbert were exactly who they purported to be; a group of ex-Army Corp of Engineers specialists who’d formed a company when they’d separated from service, and were putting up a building for her father.

End of story.

Eliza felt comforted.

They were a riot.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so hard.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d really laughed.

Her sides actually ached.

If she didn’t know better, she’d think Dizzy was going out of his way to tell the worst—and she meant the worst—jokes, ever.

And Sherbert was writing them all down.

Eliza stifled a giggle.

She’d love to see her father’s face when he read the transcript.

The dour man was going to be both confused—because he didn’t have a sense of humor—and steamed that she hadn’t brought him anything juicy.

Although what he was really looking for, she had no clue, but making her his spy wasn’t going to glean him any dividends.

Ahhh.

Eliza sat back after eating her second helping of potato salad, feeling replete. She rubbed her full stomach.

“I shouldn’t have worn my jeans tonight,” she groaned, running her hands around the waistband. “They weren’t tight when I put them on earlier, but they sure are, now.”

“Pop the top button,” said Blue, giving a sigh as she did exactly that with her own. “We’re all friends here.”

Eliza hesitated for a second, stealing a quick glance at Statler to see if he was looking.

He was. And his eyes were focused on her mid-section, like he was waiting for some big reveal.

In a coquettish mood, Eliza lifted her shirt slowly, then fiddled with her button.

“Mmm. I’m not sure.”