Page 7 of Beards and Broken Hearts

Jenson doesn’t miss a beat, sitting beside Daphne and introducing himself.

“Well, hello, I don’t believe we’ve met before, and any friend of Elenore’s is a friend of mine. I’m Jenson,” he says, flashing Daphne his best smile. The same I’ve seen him give a dozen women before. The thought has me grinding my teeth. When Grandma spots me standing frozen at the drinks station, she waves.

“Oh, good, Layton is here. We can order,” Grandma says, averting her eyes from my questioning glare to peruse the menu. I don’t miss the guilt in her eyes as she avoids me.

Reluctantly, I make my way to the table and kiss her cheek. That earns me a hello, but I can tell she’s still playing.

“I’m so glad you boys could make it. I was just telling Daphne how you love this place.”

“It’s true, I do. But why are you ladies here?” I ask, pointing my glare at the side of Grandma’s face.

“We were just having some girl about dresses and got hungry.” Grandma shrugs innocently when I know she’s anything but. “I thought a good sandwich sounded perfect.”

“Right. Did you find anything on the menu you like?” I ask.

“You always get the Ballistic meatballs, don’t you? Maybe that’s what I’ll get,” Grandma says while puttering with the menu, but she knows damn well I come for the meatball sub every Tuesday. I make a point of ignoring my grandmother saying Ballistic.

I’m under no illusion that this meeting is no accident.

“So, tell me, how do you know Elenore?” Jenson asks Daphne, and I fight my muscles to loosen. Suddenly, I have the urge to push him down to the ground and pummel him, but I don’t understand why.

Daphne is wearing a light blue dress that brings out the sparkle in her eyes. Can’t blame a guy when she’s beaming at me like I’m the last cookie in the jar and biting her lower lip. Does that mean she wants a taste?

I shake out of my sordid thoughts and promise they won’t return there. Daphne and I knew each other as kids, and we are now both grown, and the things I’ve done aren’t forgivable. I might have saved her bird, but the Daphne I knew wouldn’t give me a second chance, so I won’t bother trying. Even as a teenager, she was resolute and not the kind to take nonsense from anyone.

“Oh, you know, old family friends. She used to vacation every year in my small town in the Keys,” Daphne says, turning to Jenson. Giving him her attention.

“I’ve traveled a lot in the Keys. Where about?” Jenson replies, leaning into her chair and resting his arm behind her.

“Candy Cane Key,” Both the women at the table reply simultaneously, and I see when it hits my friend’s ears. His spine goes straight, and his eyes shoot to me. A knowing look on his face as he graciously removes his hand from Daphne’s chair and clears his throat.

“Really, Candy Cane Key. I’ve never been but hear great things,” he mutters, nodding awkwardly, and grabs for the menu on the table to change the subject, I’m sure. The man knows the menu as well as I do.

I shouldn’t smile and feel guilty when it spreads across my face. It’s not a victory, so I’m not sure why I feel like it is. Hiding my smile, I’m saved by the waitress before anyone notices, and she takes our orders.

Grandma makes small talk with Jenson easily, and soon, the awkward tension fades as the two tell jokes we all can’t help but laugh at. Our sandwiches come in hot with bags of chips and drinks. The meat is so good the table grows quiet for most of the meal. Each of us appreciates it and savors every bite.

“Now somebody wheel me out of here. I think I’ve gained five pounds,” Grandma jokes. By the nods, I know we all agree.

“Oh, speaking of full, don’t forget dinner this week. Jenson, darling, you’re always welcome to join him,” she says, getting out of her seat, and Daphne follows suit, pushing in her chair.

“I would love to come to dinner, ma’am, thank you,” Jenson says, but I kick him under the table.

“Ouch, what?” He sputters in a hushed tone.

I shake my head in signal, but the bastard only smiles. I never make family dinner at Grandma’s because I know I’ll be rude to her fiancé, and honestly, I don’t want to see all the changes he’s made in my grandpa’s house.

“We’ll be there Friday, Ms. Elenore, don’t you worry,” he tells her.

Then he winks at me like an asshole.

“Oh, good. That makes this old woman so happy.” My grandma coos and kisses both our cheeks before turning to leave. I’m sure she’s eager to get away before I come up with an excuse.

“Um, bye,” Daphne says with a small wave before following my grandma out the front door.

With the two out of sight, my best friend turns to me. “Dude.”

“Don’t,” I say, my voice stern, leaving no room for question.

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