Page 71 of Crossroads of Love

With the plan set, we start to head toward the parking lot. Jayla falls into step beside me, her shoulder brushing mine every now and then. I can feel her testing the waters, figuring out where she stands with me.

As we near my truck, Jayla leans into me, just enough for me to notice but not enough to make it obvious. “I’m glad you were there today.”

Her words catch me off guard. I turn my head slightly, looking down at her. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smile. “I’m glad I was there too, kiddo. I wish I hadn’t missed so many before.”

But just as quickly as she leans into me, she shifts, making sure to position herself squarely between Lena and me. It’ssubtle, but it is there. She isn’t quite ready to let me be that close yet. I don’t mind, though. Baby steps.

I climb into the driver’s seat and steer us toward the middle of town. The diner is a classic small-town spot with bright neon signs out front, red vinyl booths, and the smell of fried food in the air. We grab a booth near the window, Jayla sliding in beside me while Lena takes the seat across from us. Mike and Tatum sit on the other side, immediately diving into the menus.

“So Jayla,” Mike says, leaning forward with a grin. “How does it feel to be the MVP of the game?”

Jayla grins widely. “I’m not the MVP.”

“You sure about that?” he teases. “Because I saw you out there. You were unstoppable.”

She ducks her head, clearly embarrassed but secretly pleased by the praise. “Thanks.”

Lena laughs softly, shaking her head. “You’ll have to excuse Mike. He gets a little too invested in games.”

“I do not,” Mike protests, feigning offense. “I just appreciate greatness when I see it.”

The conversation flows easily from there, everyone jumping in with jokes and stories.

When the server comes by to take our orders, I lean back in the booth and grin at Jayla. “You know, this diner has the best milkshakes in town. You’ve gotta try one.”

Jayla’s eyes light up. “Gramps and I would always get the Oreo cake shake. Mom would pretend to go to the bathroom, and he’d order them for the table, then tell her he didn’t know how they got there.”

“And Jayla was sworn to secrecy.” Lena giggles. “Ornery old man knew he shouldn’t be drinking them with his diabetes.”

“Aaron and I used to have competitions to see who could finish one the fastest without getting brain freeze.”

“Who won?” Jayla asks.

“Me, obviously. Aaron was an amateur.”

“I’ll take an Oreo cake shake,” Jayla says, nodding decisively when the server returns to take our orders.

“I’ll have the same.” I smile, then glance at Lena. “What about you?”

She raises an eyebrow. “You want me to get a milkshake?”

“I mean, I don’t want to pressure you, but... they are pretty legendary.”

Lena rolls her eyes, but a smile tugs at her lips. “Fine. Chocolate for me.”

The food arrives not long after, along with the milkshakes. At one point, I catch Lena’s eye across the table, and we share a quiet smile. She looks happy and content, and that is all I need. I reach across the table, brushing my fingers lightly over hers, and she squeezes my hand in return.

“Gross. Could you guys not do that in public?” Jayla whines, “I think I’m ready to go home. I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Yeah,” Lena says, glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s getting late.”

We all stand, stretching and gathering our things. Jayla still sticks close to me.

Mike and Tatum go their separate way, and I drive the girls back to Lena’s Bronco at the school. I open the doors for both of them and walk them to the SUV.

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