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“Mr. Owusu?”
The man looked up and smiled, his bright white teeth contrasting with his midnight skin. “I knew you’d remember me eventually. I’m unforgettable.”
Finn smiled for what felt like the first time in days. Finally, a familiar face from his childhood, Solomon Owusu. “How are you?”
“Good. Good. God has blessed me. I can’t complain.” Solomon took a sip of his drink.
“How is the shop? You still own it or has Link taken over?”
Solomon raised his hand and swatted the air playfully. “Ah, come on. Get out of here with that. I’m not too old to work. You will have to pull the wrench from my cold, dead fingers before I give up my garage.” He chuckled.
Finn laughed with him. “It’s good to see some things haven’t changed.”
“All things work out in the end the way they are supposed to. Glory to God.” Solomon raised his eyes to the shiplap ceiling.
“Repeating more lines of your infallible wisdom, Papa?” another familiar man asked, taking the empty seat next to Solomon.
He had the same rich brown shade of skin as Solomon but no Ghanaian accent. The sides of his head were shaved in a fade, with short locs on the top. “Link?”
Link’s brown eyes met his as the corner of his mouth turned up. “The one and only.” Link reached out his hand. Finn slapped his palm to his friend’s before fist-bumping him.
“Sorry to hear about the accident, man,” Link said earnestly.
“It is what it is.” Finn shrugged, wishing to talk about anything but himself. “What can I get ya?”
“I’ll have the same as him.” He pointed to his father.
“Sand Dune Brewery’s finest IPA coming right up.” Finn opened the fridge and grabbed the second to last bottle before popping the top and handing it over.
Link took a long sip before setting the glass bottle on the bar. “Can’t wait until they release the cranberry one for the holidays.”
“How have you been?” Finn asked Link.
“Pretty busy doing all the work this old man can’t.” Link tipped his head to the side.
“Eh! What old man are you talking about? I know my son is not speaking about his elders this way.” Solomon smacked the back of Link’s head playfully as Link smirked. “You do the work I don’t want to do because I’m the boss.”
“Okay, Papa.” Link chuckled.
“Kids these days.” Solomon shook his head. “I should have sent you home to my sister to raise in Ghana after your mother died. Then maybe you’d show some respect.”
“Then who would do all the work at the garage?” Link ducked in time to miss Solomon’s paw swinging over his head.
“I’m just kidding, Papa.” Link laughed harder.
Solomon shook his head, muttering about spoiled children before taking another sip of his beer.
“You should stop by next Friday. We’re gonna have a little get-together.” Link peeled the label off his drink.
“Maybe I will.”
“Hey, beautiful,” Link said, his eyes darting behind Finn.
“Hey, guys. Another long week at the Shattered Cove Garage?” Charli asked, sidling next to him. Her amber scent drifted over, involuntarily sparking his arousal. The white T-shirt she wore had The Shipwreck’s name and logo stretched across her breasts. Had they grown recently? The shirt was tied in a knot at her side, cinching the material across her swollen belly.
“It would be long for anyone if they had to listen to this one complain about his woman troubles all week.” Solomon pointed his thumb at Link.
Charli laughed, seemingly at ease with his friends.
