Page 98 of On The Rocks

Lennon shrugged. “I can. Just isn’t all that exciting to cook for one.”

“And look at this, now you’re two.”

I resisted the urge to groan. “What’s up, Laverne? I made some waffles, you want any?”

“Oh, no. I’m fine. I already ate with Fred. I figured you’d enjoy the hash brown casserole.”

“And I will.” I took the casserole and put it on the counter. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She finished her bacon and went to the coffee pot and made herself a mug like she usually did. “This is very interesting.”

Lennon sipped from her coffee. “Keep your matchmaking fingers off me, Laverne.”

“You know, I’ve been trying forever to figure out who would interest you. I’m not sure why I didn’t put this together.”

“Because it just happened.Ish,” I said, as I set the mini oven to heat up our breakfast.

“Hmm.” She took her coffee to the window and looked out. “Justin went to Rochester to get a part for the bottling machine, so you have the day off. You can take Lennon out for the day.”

“Laverne...”

“What? It’s a gorgeous day.” She turned from the window and the sun gilded her silver hair. “I have faith in you.”

“Laying it on thick.”

“Nah, just a thin layer.” Laverne winked and finished her cup. “I’ll get out of your hair.” She stopped at Lennon and settled her hands on her shoulders. “This is wonderful.”

She didn’t say anything, just kept sipping from her mug.

Laverne didn’t seem to notice, she just rushed over to me and enveloped me in her lilac and powder scent. “I’m off. Have a nice, relaxing day together.” Then she bustled out the door, only pausing to smile and wave before she was gone.

“She do that often?”

“Sometimes.”

“We could have been naked.”

I laughed. “We could have been. But I wouldn’t have let her in.”

“Does she have a key?”

“Probably.”

“Then we could have been naked.”

I leaned against the table and crossed my arms. “You worried about her seeing us involved or that we are involved.”

She didn’t say anything, just looked down into her mug as if it had all the answers to the universe.

“Or that it’s Laverne?”

She sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Once my Jeep was here, I was fucked.”

I straightened then I moved back into the kitchen for the waffles and bacon, as well as the fixings for the waffles. I set my armful on the table near her. I knew she was a private person, but I didn’t care who knew we were together. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same for Lennon.

And that bothered me more than it should.

We were just getting started.

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