“Yeah, it must be the cake.” I winked at her.
“Nah, there’s something happening here,” Will said, a wide grin on his face as he motioned between us. “I’m picking up on something.”
“Well, how about you start picking up this mess from the groundhog and mind your own damn business,” I said, trying to act annoyed but unable to hide the humor from my voice.
“See, he’s still plenty grumpy.” Violet bumped me with her shoulder.
“I don’t know. He seems pretty happy to me,” Will said with a laugh, and I shot him the bird.
“I’ll call and check in with you in a few hours. I’ve got to drop this one off at some liquor lunch and then go pick up Harper from the McAffreys’.”
“What’s a liquor lunch?” Will asked.
“It’s a boozy brunch, not a liquor lunch,” Violet said over her laughter. “Me, Monny, and Blakely do these once a month. Mimosas and yummy food.”
“I like the sound of that,” Will said as we walked toward the door.
“Fix the wiring and the pipes, and then you can have a boozy brunch,” I said as we walked outside.
“Are you freaking out?” Violet whispered once we got in the truck.
“About the groundhog?”
“No. About Will being suspicious about us.” Her gaze searched mine.
I turned to look at her. “I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks.”
“I just don’t want that to freak you out.”
“Do I look freaked out? You’re the one who looks freaked out. What’s going on?”
“I just. You know. I don’t know. We don’t know.” She threw her hands in the air. “I don’t know what this is, Charlie. I’m not good at this.”
“I haven’t had a relationship in a very long time. I’m not fucking good at this either, but I’m also not freaking out.”
“Why?” she asked as I pulled down the driveway and headed toward the Brown Bear Diner.
“Because we’re friends no matter what. Because last night was fucking amazing. Because I like you.” I cleared my throat, because that was a lot for me.
I pulled into the parking lot at the diner and put the truck in park.
“I’m a really good lover, aren’t I?” she said. “I’m kidding. Last night was—amazing.”
“Was that so hard?”
“That’s what she said!” she said with a laugh. “And no, that wasn’t so hard. It’s just—I don’t want to mess anything up, you know?”
“Hey. One day at a time. Go have some fun with the girls, and Harper and I will pick you up when you’re ready.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can walk home,” she said as she unbuckled herself.
“Stop being stubborn, Firefly. We’re picking you up. Just text me when you’re ready.”
“Fine. I’ll text you.” She glanced around before lunging herself at me and kissing me. “Thanks for the ride, Charles.”
I laughed as she got out of the truck, and I watched her walk inside.
What the hell was wrong with me?
