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“That’s where Everly records,” Knox said, pointing to the Hale Street Recording Studio, an unassuming building on the opposite side.
“I’ve heard a lot of big names are in and out of there.”
“From Hayden, right?” Knox said with a laugh. “She would know since her shop is right next door. Do you mind if we stop in there after lunch?”
“Do you mind if we stop in half these stores?” I asked, noting a boot store and a boutique and a bakery. “I’ve heard about that place.” I pointed at Sugar Babies Sweet Shop at the same time the aroma of baked goods mixed with a delicious fried-food diner scent—Frank’s Diner—reached my nose.
“I’m up for it. The baby store won’t take long. I’d like to be home by dinnertime so I can get a few hours of work done this evening.”
“Deal. Ohh, maybe we can find some books for this girl at Angry Cat Books,” I said, squeezing one of Juniper’s soft-bootied feet.
“Because my poor, deprived child only has about three dozen board books. I could never say no to a bookstore.”
We reached the door of Clayborne’s on the Corner and went inside. From the street, the bar and grill looked unassuming, clearly a building with historical roots. On the inside, it was lively, full of chatter and energy thanks to a near-capacity lunch crowd. A long bar ran the length of the place on the left side, with a small stage at the front end by the windows. In the back half was a loft area with more tables.
I scanned for my brother, but we were twenty minutes early. Ryan tended to be the right-on-time type. We grabbed one of the last open tables by a window on the Hale Street side and settled Juniper into a high chair.
Once we’d ordered drinks, Knox asked, “So what’d you think of the college? I didn’t expect the campus to be so scenic in the middle of the city.” He took out Juniper’s favorite cereal, swiped over the table with a wipe, then set several pieces on a napkin in front of her.
“It’s beautiful. I was there a few times growing up, but I never did an official visit before I applied. I went based on the reputation of the education program and because it’s close to home.”
“That dorm is downright posh. It’s a few steps up from my guest room.” He grinned and then set Juniper’s sippy cup in front of her.
She picked up her cup with the happiest laugh and then hit it on the table. She startled at the sound of it hitting, her eyes going wide and adorable. I leaned in with a smile, kissed her forehead, and said, “It’s okay, sweet pea. That’s what happens when you bang things on the table.”
The baby studied my face, then broke out into a grin and babbled back to me.
“The dorm is nice but has nothing on your place,” I told Knox. I raised my brows suggestively. “And it’s been a while since I’ve slept in your guest room.”
“If I get my way, you won’t,” he said in a private voice.
“That twin bed in the dorm will be lonely.”
“You’ll be so busy with school and a social life that you won’t even notice. And if you do, the backward-ball-cap guy would love to keep you company.” He said it like a joke, but I wasn’t sure how to take it.
“Is that what you want?” I asked without thinking. “For me to hook up with some nineteen year-old guy?”
He leaned his elbows on the table and brushed my hand briefly. “Quince, it doesn’t matter what I want. This is your future, and not to sound like some old dude, but it’s a bright one.”
I made myself smile at his humor attempt, but I wasn’t feeling it. I was feeling uneasy. Everything would be changing. It was a lot to wrap my head around now that I’d been on campus, enrolled in my classes.
“Hey, Quincy.” My brother broke me out of my thoughts as he approached and extended his arms for a hug.
I hopped down and threw my arms around him. He had more of a beard than before, but it looked good on him. His blue eyes sparkled with energy even though I saw fatigue underneath. No surprise with his workload.
“Ryan, this is Knox Breckenridge and his daughter, Juniper. Ryan Yates,” I said.
They shook hands and greeted each other, and my brother fawned over the baby.
“You’re going to be a heartbreaker,” he said in an indulgent voice as she stared up at him. “I can tell already.”
“Don’t go there,” Knox said with a laugh. “I’m still getting my head around bottles and diapers.”
“I heard you’ve had quite a whirlwind,” Ryan said as he sat next to me.
Our server showed up and took our orders, then hurried off.
“How’s my favorite older brother?” I asked.
