Page 27 of Brandt's Rule

Remi grinned. Jonah was everybody’s best bud. Always at ease with anyone, never hesitant to speak to anybody that crossed his path.

Remi decided to wait for Jonah to come back in his direction, but then out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a table near the back with only one occupant. Her back was to him, but he knew it was Bailey. He started toward the table just as Jonah came back toward him.

“You want a table? How many coming to meet you?” Jonah asked.

“No, I’m good. I see who I’m meeting in the back over there,” Remi answered.

Jonah turned and looked down the line of booths lining the far wall. “Really? I thought she was waiting on that new girl. What’s her name? Ahhh, Tempest. That’s it.”

“She is. Tempest isn’t coming though.”

“Oh. Is there a problem?”

“No, she’s at Maverik’s house. I came to let Bailey know.”

“Cool. You want something to eat, or you just delivering a message?”

“I’m eating. Beer, burger and rings.”

“Got you. I’ll be there in a minute.” Jonah disappeared behind the swinging doors that separated the kitchen from the rest of the place.

Remi watched him for only a second longer, then looked over at Bailey’s back. ‘No time like the present to face all my fears, right?’ he thought to himself. Remi walked over to the booth and slid in across from Bailey.

Bailey was concentrating on her phone. “About time. I almost left.” She raised her gaze from her phone and suddenly became mute.

“Hey. Tempest asked me to come by and let you know that she couldn’t make it tonight. She’s at my Uncle Maverik’s house with his family. She said she’s really sorry, and she’ll make it up to you, and she sent me instead.”

Bailey continued to sit and stare at Remi with a stunned expression on her face.

“She said she didn’t have a phone,” Remi continued.

“Right,” Bailey finally managed.

“Does she have a phone?” Remi asked.

“Huh? Oh, no. She doesn’t.”

Remi nodded. “So, have you ordered?”

“Ah, yeah. I got tired of waiting so I ordered for both of us.”

“How’d you know what I’d want?” Remi teased.

“I didn’t know… what?”

“You said you ordered for both of us…” Remi explained.

“I ordered for myself and Tempest.”

“I know. I was teasing,” Remi said.

“Oh. Well, I guess I should get Jonah’s attention and let him know to change the order to go,” Bailey said, looking distractedly away as she searched the room for Jonah.

“Are you in a hurry to get home?” Remi asked.

“No, but Tempest isn’t coming. I don’t want to sit here and eat by myself.”

“You’re not by yourself,” Remi said.

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