Page 143 of Heartbeats & Highways

“Busy every day,” Brielle said with a grin. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear the commotion.”

“I slept through it,” I said. “Actually, I fell back asleep after Savage left and heard absolutely nothing. Thanks for making the bread this morning. How did the loaves turn out?”

“Nary a doorstop among them,” Brielle quipped. “They turned out well. Not as gorgeous as yours, but no complaints from the customers. How’s the donut?”

“Perfect,” I said. “But what do I have to do to get some eggs?”

While I was devouring crispy bacon and fried eggs, Jazz finally returned with the tea and coffee. “Sorry about the delay. We got hammered out there. Random rush.”

She set the tea down in front of me. “So, you want to come over Saturday night? We’re celebrating.”

“Celebrating what?” I asked, polishing off the last of my eggs.

“I’m moving in with Homer.” Jazz’s cheeks flushed with happiness.

“What? Already?” I asked in surprise.

She snorted. “You’re one to talk. You and Savage already live together, and you like, just met. Homer and I have known each other for years.”

“No, I didn’t mean it that way,” I said. “I just thought it was going to take him a long time to woo you.” I looked at Brielle, who was smirking. “What? What did I miss?”

Jazz rolled her eyes. “Brielle walked in on us. She’s kicking me out, basically.”

“I’m not kicking you out,” she protested with a laugh. “You’re only moving one floor down. I’ll still see you all the time. Only, I won’t walk in and have to see my brother’s bare ass. This is for my sanity as much as it is about your happiness.”

Jazz grinned. “I’m really happy about it, actually. So Brielle and I are having a packing party, and I thought you’d want to join.”

“She means help packing boxes,” Brielle added.

“And eat some food,” Jazz stated. “But yes to the box help.”

“I’d love to,” I said. “I really would. But I’ve got plans Saturday.”

“Oh?” Jazz asked.

“Club barbecue,” I announced, my gaze bouncing between them. “I’m finally meeting the rest of the club and other Old Ladies.”

“Well, well, well, the plot thickens,” Jazz teased.

“This is serious,” Brielle added.

“More serious than what?” I asked with a laugh. “Us living together? Savage raising these babies as his own? He said he wants to marry me.”

“He does?” Jazz asked softly.

I nodded. “Which is weird to me, because I’m already his Old Lady which means more in his world anyway.”

Brielle frowned. “Did he actually propose?”

“No, but he made his intentions clear.”

“What did you say when he told you what he was thinking?” Jazz queried.

“I was honest and told him I don’t want to get married again.”

Silence reigned in the back kitchen, but I could hear the chattering and hum of conversation in the café.

“But you’re living with him,” Jazz said slowly.

---