“You mean our nosy friends who gossip more than that damn blog have kept you updated from afar?”
“Exactly.”
Ethan laughed.
“What’s going on with Amos?” Andre asked.
“Does he still have those blond curls? He was always such a cutie.” Ethan’s lips twitched, betraying his innocent expression.
“Hey!” Andre laughed.
“He does, and they look just as good now as they did back then.” I groaned. “I didn’t expect him to be so…” Kind? Funny? Sexy? “Amazing.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Ethan asked gently.
I held up one finger. “He lives in Boston and is only here because he’s between jobs, though that might not be an issue, which leaves the bigger one.” I held up a second finger. “He’s a Flynn. The diner rivalry is a major issue.”
They didn’t look skeptical, per se, but I could tell they didn’t see it as being as insurmountable as I did.
“Those issues aside, what do you want to happen?” Andre asked.
I stared at a scratch in the ceiling from many, many years ago when Grandma insisted on a specific Christmas tree, but Grandpa said it was too tall. Grandma won, but the tree scratched the ceiling when Dad and Grandpa dragged it in.
“I want more time with him. I want to see where this goes. It’s got promise.” I’d thought the same about past relationships, but it felt different with Amos.
“To make sure you’re compatible?” Andre asked.
“That’s the thing. I know we are, but this compressed timeline before he possibly returns to Boston creates some weird pressure. Does it feel like we’re compatible because we know we don’t have that much time together, so we’re overlooking obvious issues? Or is there really something between us, but we won’t have enough time to find out?” I shook my head. “But it doesn’t matter. He’ll always be part of Sparky’s.”
“You know how much I love you and Red’s,” Ethan said. “But maybe you’re too close to it. I know it’s a big deal, but your happiness is important too. Can’t you just say screw it? It’s yourlife.”
“I wish it were that easy, but it’s not justmylife. What if people turn on the diners for feeling lied to, or the lack of rivalry makes people less interested in eating here? It’s so damn hard to keep a restaurant afloat these days, and I’m not sure we could survive any sort of major scandal. It could hurt my dad’s livelihood.”
“The food is delicious, Mickey. People don’t spend their money there because of the rivalry. They do because of the food, the atmosphere, and how much they care about your family. Feud or no feud.”
Andre had been quiet, but I could tell from his expression that he had something to say.
“What aren’t you saying, Andre?”
“Have you thought about leaving Maplewood?”
I frowned at his question. “Leave?”
His tone was gentle. “If things go well with Amos and you want to give it a real chance… Does that have to be inMaplewood? Maybe leaving the diners behind is the best option. Forbothof you.”
I rubbed my chest like I’d been punched in the sternum. “Honestly? That hadn’t crossed my mind. We’ve only been on one official date.” Moving for him? That seemed way too soon.But is it fair to expect him to move to Maplewood to give us a chance if I wouldn’t even consider doing the same for him?I had a feeling I wouldn’t get any sleep tonight as I stewed on that.
“I never thought I’d leave Maplewood, but Ethan was worth it.”
Ethan melted. “Aww, baby, I wish I were there.”
“Me too.” Andre made a kissy face.
I let out a harsh breath. “I sure as hell got what I asked for in the advice department, huh?”
My friends wore matching grins.
“Dear Andre and Ethan, advice columnist extraordinaries,” Andre teased.
