Page 155 of Give & Take

The conversation isn’t too awkward. Okay, it’s a little awkward. But mostly for them. As we make our introductions, Jenna quickly learns who that other person was I talked about on our non-date. And Daniel and I pretend Ididn’t nearly scare him into tumbling down the stairs that time.

When Lana turns to Daniel, I hold my breath.

“How’s the clinic?” she asks.

“Oh, God, Dad,” Jenna says.

Daniel turns a little pink. “Jenna says I talk about it too much.”

“You do,” Lana says. It’s not biting. She says it with a smile. And it makes Jenna laugh. “But it’s good to be really into something,” Lana says, looking up at me then, and I swear she almost gives me a wink.

This Lana—she’s new, and she might be my favorite one yet. She’s confident. Sure of herself. Teasing Daniel to put him in his place without being mean. Even though I think he still deserves some meanness.

“Well, it was nice seeing you,” Lana says, smiling broadly. I can tell it’s not fake—not the words, and not the smile.

There’s a pause for a moment, then Jenna says, “You guys look really happy.” And it sounds like she means it. She gives us both a genuine smile before we part ways.

“You choose really nice girlfriends,” Lana says once they’re gone.

“You call yourself nice?” I say. “That’s cute.”

She shoves me as we go into the shop together.

Dolly looks delighted to see us. She squeals when she sees us holding hands, demanding to know if this means I’m sticking around. “We miss you around here tapping away at that computer.”

“This was kind of my second home for a few weeks there,” I say.

I tell her I’m staying. “There’s a sessional English instructor job they just posted on an urgent basis at the college in Swan River.”

Lana’s the one who found that posting. It felt like kismet.

“Well then, we need to celebrate,” Dolly says.

“Actually, it’s also Lana’s birthday,” I whisper.

Lana shoots me a glare. She thought she was getting out of public recognition. But she smiles at Dolly. “It’s not a monumental year or anything.”

“Nonsense. Every birthday is monumental.” Dolly peers around the shop. There are only a few people playing board games in the back. “Here,” she says, pulling a small bottle of whiskey out from underneath the counter. “We’ll make these coffees fancy.”

Before we can argue, she pours a tipple into each of the drinks she just made us.

Just in time for Miles to come out from the back and bear witness. “Dolly!” he snaps. “What the hell!”

“Oh hush,” she says, planting a hand on her hip and tossing a sip of whiskey down her throat, defying him to argue.

“We could lose our license!”

“Which one? The stick-up-our-asses license? I lost that years ago, honey. I think a court of law is about the only thing that could get you to lose yours, anyway.”

Miles looks like he’s going to lose it. Even so, he turns to Lana. “Happy birthday.” Then he returns his glare to Dolly. “I’m serious, Dolly. It’s this kind of thing?—”

I pick up our drinks and point my head out to the patio. “One day those two are going to have to get in awrestling match to duke out whatever that is,” Lana says as we settle into the cool iron seats.

“Or hear me out—maybe a bed?” I say.

Lana gapes. “No way. They legitimately hate each other. I’ve seen tears!”

“I believe you. I just have a feeling.”

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