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Even Rick. “I believe you,” he said. “Uncle Kenny always tries to blame someone else when he messes up.”
“Brock, buddy,” crowed Evie, her gray eyes sparkling. “You’ve got itbadfor Summer, don’t you? How long have you two been sneaking around, anyway?”
“We haven’t beensneakingaround at all,” Brock defended himself. “And we’ve been seeing each other for about a month. It’s, uh, been fun.”
“I think she’s perfect for you, dude,” volunteered Jason. “I remember you’ve had a thing for her during senior year.”
“Yeah, well, she’s heading back to San Francisco in September.” Brock stared glumly down into the depths of his mug. “It fucking sucks.”
He hadn’t intended to say that much. The last part just slipped out on its own.
Over the past week, Brock had done an awful lot of thinking about Summer and her impending departure. And he still hadn’t come up with a good plan to make her change her mind.
“Have you asked her to stay?” Evie had both elbows propped on the table, and was leaning forward, apparently fascinated by his love live.
He sighed. “Nope. I mean, she owns a fucking restaurant in city, and from I saw online, it’s the kind of high-class place where bankers and stockbrokers hang out. Why would she want to stay here to run a fuckingdiner?Even a really good one,” he added, because he had his pride.
“Dude. You’re talking like she’s out of your league,” Jason said. “Don’t give up, man. I mean, she’s hooking up with you, right? She obviously thinks you’re a sexy beast. She might even like you as a person and shit.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Brock rolled his shoulders, trying to ease some of the tension gathering at the base of his neck. He’d come here for pizza and to catch up with his friends, not a fucking relationship counseling session. “Look, I don’t wanna turn into some kind of pathetic, creepy stalker after we hit our expiration date.”
“Expiration date? Seriously?” Evie rolled her eyes. “With an attitude like that, she’s got no reason to hang around. If you want her to stay, you’ll need to work a little harder. I mean, have you noticed the way she looks at you? I think she’s fallen for you just as hard as you’ve fallen for her.”
Brock shrugged, but couldn’t deny the spark of hope suddenly careening around his insides like a firefly on speed. “Well, I’m working on a strategy. Anyhow, I really appreciate you guys agreeing to lend us a hand at the diner next Monday and Tuesday. I promise that we’ll feed you, and it won’t just be the usual pizza and beer Moving Day Special.”
Chapter Twenty – Summer
Summer:Hey, Mags, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I was out of cellphone range when you texted me, and didn’t notice I had a message until this morning.
Maggie: Out of cellphone range? Where the hell are you, anyway? Haven’t seen you around lately.
Summer: I’m still in Montana.
Maggie: What the fuck are you doing in Montana? The funeral was WEEKS ago. I thought you were ghosting me because you were working on the restaurant revamp.
Summer: I *am* working on it, I swear. New small plates menu is almost done. Just putting the final touches on my Thai fish tacos with curry sauce and shredded green papaya salad. They’re killer, but I want to tweak them just a little.
Maggie: Okay. But again, why the fuck are you doing that in Montana? And when are you coming home?
Summer: Soon, I promise. I’ve been dealing with some family stuff since my grandpa died, and it’s taking longer than I thought. I should be back in six weeks.
Maggie: Six WEEKS? What happened? Did the family farm burn down or something?
Maggie: No, wait. There’s a man involved, isn’t there?
Summer: It’s a long story. TLDR; my grandma needs help with this diner she co-owns. I’m a chef, so…
Maggie: Oh, okay. I get it. It’s like that in Chinese families, too. The oldies ask you for a favor, you do it. Or major bad karma ensues.
Summer: And yes, there’s a man, too. Long story. I’ll tell you all about it over cocktails when I’m back in the city.
∞∞∞
Livingston, Montana
Monday, July 25
“I can’t believe the guy at the Junk & Disorderly cut you such a good deal on those old barn lamps,” Jenna said as she and Summer seated themselves at Fiesta En Jalisco, a popular Mexican restaurant in downtown Livingston.
