Hope snorts. “Your memory’s a little off.”
“Well, it was hard to tell. I was suffering from a concussion.”
She points a finger. “You specifically said you weren’t concussed. You said big pupils are normal.”
I try to look serious. “They are. Big pupils run in my family.”
Hope laughs but seems to remember our rapt audience. She sobers right up again, her bright smile disintegrating under Amy and Jodi’s attention.
“I’m guessing we don’t want to ask what happened to him,” Amy says to Jodi.
“I don’t know. I’ve got a minute.”
They both turn to me, waiting for the explanation of my mangled face. See? Honorary Auntie behavior.
With a day’s distance, the two-by-four story actually sounds pretty funny, but I’m not sure Hope would agree. As much as she has riding on this Christmas thing being a success, I doubt she would appreciate me sharing how helpful she’s been in the warehouse so far.
“I had an accident,” I tell them. “Everything’s fine though. Brain function normal.”
“And still just as handsome as ever,” Amy adds.
“Aw.” I give her my cheekiest grin. “I wasn’t too worried.”
“It’s good to see you.” Jodi’s already drifting away. “I’ve got to get back in the kitchen before Ellie’s burger chars.”
“You’ve never burned a burger in your life,” Amy tells her.
“And I’m not starting now.” Jodi waves my direction. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.”
“I’ll give you two a moment to make up your minds,” Amy says before she darts off to tend to the other diners.
As soon as we’re alone again, Hope leans forward. “Thanks for covering for me. You didn’t have to do that.”
I mirror her motion. “Just trying to get on my boss’s good side.”
“Oh, so you’re a kiss up.”
My eyes drop to her mouth, the wordkissclanging in my head like cymbals calling me to action. But if she didn’t like Silas making flirty comments about us, she probably won’t like me staring at her lipsthinkingflirty thoughts.
I relax against my seat. “So how does this work? How do you forget to eat?”
“When I’m not working at my store, I’m working on the festival. I’ve got meetings almost every day with someone who has volunteered to do one thing or another, and if you haven’t noticed, I’ve been working on the Wonderland with you part time. Something has to give.”
“That something doesn’t have to be you.” Her eyes widen. That came out a little more tender than I’d intended. I need to get a handle on this before I blurt out something stupid. “Shouldn’t be your stomach, anyway. What are you having?”
“Burger and fries.”
“Perfect.”
Amy comes out to take our orders before she heads back into the kitchen. She and Jodi haven’t changed much in the years I’d been away, but this place sure has.
“It’s so modern in here now.” The homey restaurant of my youth has caught up to the twenty-first century. Delish’s wood-paneled walls were painted crisp white, tables and chairs sanded down and stained a rich mahogany. Metal pendant lamps hang from the ceiling, and a chalkboard sign listing the specials of the day holds a prime spot behind the counter. “Wouldn’t be surprised to have my burger served deconstructed on a granite tile.”
I would hate the presentation, but I’d still eat it. Jodi makes the best burgers I’ve ever tasted.
“I like the updates.”
