Page 85 of The Other Guy

“You’re a turd.”

“That I am. Where do you think you learned it from?”

I roll my eyes then scoot over a little bit so James can join us. “So you’re the chef who comped our meals,” I say, finally cluing in.

“Guilty. I can’t let Jack’s friend pay in my restaurant.”

“Jack’s friend’s uncle appreciates it, too. Great meal, man. You have a crazy amount of talent, you know?”

“Thanks. Appreciate hearing that. Always. How are you, Kyle? Been a long time.”

“It has. I’m great. Probably the best day of my life, today, I mean. So far, anyway. Especially right now,” Kyle says with a wink.

Sitting next to James, I try very hard not to stare at him but damn, he is so good looking it’s ridiculous. If he wasn’t such a nice guy, I think I’d almost feel a little uncomfortable around him. But then again, that’s how I initially felt around Jack, too. Something about both of them, though, puts me at ease.

“Good to hear. I need to get back into the kitchen before the rush begins but I wanted to come out and say hi. Don’t be a stranger. Stop in any time. Maybe bring my boy with you,” he says with a grin and then squeezes my hand once before sliding out of the booth and walking away.

Phew. Is it hot in here? My armpits are sweaty and my mouth has gone dry. I take a long drink of my tea and chance a look up at Kyle.

“You like him.”

“James? No!”

“Not James. Jack. You like him and having his dad around made you feel all out of sorts.”

I choose to finish my sandwich rather than answer.

“Uh huh. Avoid it all you want but I see it. And approve, in case you were wondering. So will your parents. And if James coming over to say hello is any indication, he does as well. And if he does, no doubt will his wife and Jack’s sister.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of approval for something that isn’t even a thing. Can we go back to talking about the large sum of money you just handed over?”

“That’s more comfortable?”

I swallow hard and lean back, groaning at my too-full stomach. “Yes.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I’d like to donate some. Can’t decide where yet. Maybe some to a women’s shelter and some to an animal shelter.”

He nods his approval. “Figured you’d do that. Glad to hear it, too.”

“Maybe it would be better if I left it in the bank for a little bit. You know I’m not the most decisive person in the world so I’d rather wait until I know for sure.”

“Figured you do that as well. Not glad to hear that, though. You know what you want, you’re just afraid of making the wrong decision.”

Harper returns with a slice of warm chocolate cake with a scoop of ice cream and removes our empty plates.

“I’m way too full to eat this, too,” I say while picking up the fork and diving in. You’d think that having a stomach bug kick my ass just a few days ago I’d be a little more careful with overeating but nope, I don’t learn.

“Right?” Kyle agrees, doing the same.

We dive in, fighting over the extra fudge sauce and demolish the decadent dessert.

“I am going to have to run five miles to work this off,” I say.

“You don’t run.”

“I could start.”

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