Page 80 of The Path To Us

“Yes, ma’am.” Beau takes out his phone and opens it to the photos, showing me the pictures he took of Zoey with an adorable fluffy kitten and in the background is a smiling Richard Noosma. “That’s another part of the story. Seems like it’s been a day.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

“So I take it neither of you are single,” Tyson remarks with a smirk.

He pockets his phone. “Correct,” Beau says gruffly.

I giggle and pick up Zoey, holding her on my hip. She’s too big to hold like this, but until she won’t allow it or I’m not strong enough, I’m going to keep holding her.

“Bummer for me but I’m happy for you two. I always thought you two belonged together. Happy to see it finally happened.”

Since Zoey doesn’t know that we’re together, I hope she’s not picking up on anything.

“Oh, and thanks for throwing me under the bus yesterday, man,” Tyson says to Beau.

“What do you mean?” Beau asks, chuckling.

“Like you don’t know.” He turns to me. “I got stuck talking to someone I didn’t really feel like talking to.”

“Lizzy,” Beau says quietly.

“Ahh. Lucky you.”

“Right. Not so much. Anyway, Beau, you have my number. Let’s get together soon, yeah? Sounds like we have a lot to catch up on.”

Beau drapes his arm over my shoulder and leans over to kiss me on the temple. “Sure thing.”

“Said it before but I’m saying it again, I’m happy for you both. Can’t think of two people who belong together more. Treat her right,” he says, shaking Beau’s hand.

“Count on it.”

I set down Zoey and give Tyson a completely platonic quick side hug goodbye.

“Nice to meet you, Zoey.”

He starts to walk away just as Lindley walks in, looking down at the iPad in her hands that we use for orders.

They bump into each other and Tyson catches her before she stumbles.

“Whoa. You okay?”

“So… sorry, I didn’t see you there,” Lindley says, startled when she looks up at Tyson.

They stare at each other for several seconds before I clear my throat.

“Lindley, this is Tyson, a friend from high school. Tyson, this is Lindley, my manager.”

“Hi,” Lindley says, still staring wide-eyed.

“Hey there. Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah.”

I clap and announce, “Okay, then! You two met. Now, I need to get back to work so we can take this one to the pool for a few hours.”

Even though I would rather stick a needle in my eye than go to the pool today. Maybe we can pray for a thunderstorm that will change our plans and we can stay home instead.

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