Page 18 of Primal God

What if his father is here?

What if they know?

The bell over the door rings and I look over to find João and a pretty redhead walking toward me. I’ve seen them around campus a few times since he moved back, but I haven’t officially met her.

João leans in, giving me a quick hug. He’s more muscular than he was five years ago. Taller, too. But when he smiles, I see the same boy that I first fell for and smile back.

“Hey, Lili. This is Eve, my girlfriend.”

The irony that her name is the opposite of mine isn’t lost on me.

I take Eve’s outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too. I’ve heard so many good things about you from João.”

I gesture to the table. “Sit! I’ve already put in an order for fries with a side of ranch.”

João grins. “You remembered.” To Eve, he says, “Lili and I used to come here all the time. I think we almost ate them out of ranch dressing at one point.”

Eve’s nose crinkles adorably. “Babe, I didn’t know you liked fried foods.”

“I don’t eat them as much as I used to, but I like to indulge every now and again.” To me, he says, “I’ve really tried to watch what I put in my body since I started medical school. Seeing what grease can do to your heart is terrifying.”

“How are you liking it?”

“It’s good. Different, but good. That’s where I met Eve, actually. We have a few classes together. What about you? Did you ever graduate?”

My cheeks are warm because he’s right. I should have already graduated by now.

I say, “I took a year off, so I graduate next year.”

He holds out his knuckles for me to bump.

“Right on! Still doing childcare?”

“Bachelor of Science in Child Studies,” I correct with a smile.

He and Eve share a look.

“Okay, that was a bit weird,” I say.

João laughs. “Sorry. It’s just, this is too perfect.”

“What is?”

“You and your degree.”

“Care to elaborate?”

He puts both of his hands on the table, leaning forward. “I think you should work for my dad this summer.”

“I’m sorry. You think I should dowhat?”

“Work for my dad. He could use the help this summer with the little ones.”

I glance at Eve. “Did he bump his head?”

She snorts. “A fair question, but no.”

---