Page 5 of Wed to You

“Because your brother’s dead?”

Chelsea tried to hide the sudden clench in her stomach from reaching her face. She nodded. “He and my brother were friends since they were your age. And his sister has been my best friend since I was little too. Maybe you and Matthew Sanders will be best friends that long.”

Kaden’s eyes widened and turned to Jagger. “Will we be here that long?”

“As long as you want, champ.”

The question reminded Chelsea that the last year had been a big change for both of them. “Do you like living down here?”

Kaden nodded. “Yes.” He drew out the word as if it was obvious he liked living in Charlotte Tavern. “I get to play more.”

“You didn’t get to play in New York?” Chelsea looked at Jagger for an explanation.

“Our lives were much more...dictated there. Here it’s more relaxed.”

“I can play in the woods.”

“You like the woods?” Chelsea turned her attention back to Kaden.

“I like to hunt bugs.”

“Bugs are fun.” She smiled at Kaden, remembering her childhood roaming the woods. “What about you?” She took a sip of the water the waitress had brought.

“I like bug hunting.” Jagger winked at Kaden.

“It must be a lot different here than in New York.”

Jagger’s smile faltered a little, replaced with a guarded, almost suspicious expression. “It is.”

She waited for him to say more, but he took a sip of his milk.

“My friend Lexie’s husband Drake is from New York. He says he likes Charlotte Tavern all right, but he misses New York pizza.”

“Well that goes without saying.” The tension in Jagger’s jaw lessened. “Since Luigi is from New York, his comes close, but it’s still not the same. What do you think, Kaden, Luigi’s or pizza in New York?”

“New York.” Kaden didn’t hesitate.

“But there’s other food here that’s good.” Jagger sat back as a small and a large pizza were set on the table. When the waitress left, he motioned for Chelsea to take a piece as he placed a slice on Kaden’s plate.

“Lexie took me to pizza once when I was visiting her in New York.” Chelsea pulled a large, floppy triangle onto her plate.

“And?”

“It was good.”

Jagger’s eyes widened. “Good? She must not have taken you to one of the better spots because New York pizza is spectacular.”

She laughed because he was right. “I bet we have better barbeque.”

“You’d be right.” Jagger handed Kaden a napkin. “That’s my new quest: To find the best barbeque in the area.”

“I can help with that.” The words were out of her mouth before she could think better of it. She glanced up, hoping he hadn’t thought she was being forward.

He cocked his head. “You know where to find good barbeque?”

She nodded. “I used to make it...or helped my grandfather make it.”

“You made it?” Jagger’s raised brows suggested he was dubious. Most people were. Barbeque was an art. There were cook-offs for barbeque like there were for chili, and with much of the same competitiveness.

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