Page 75 of Blood
“Not too bulky. They look great,” he approves.
June’s smile gets bigger and bigger.
“Thanks,” she replies brightly. “What can I get you?”
“I want cake,” Belle declares.
“Remember what Daddy said,” Daniel coaches.
But his daughter ignores him in favor of the coloring book in front of her.
“Belle, you can have cake, but that means no milkshake.”
That gets her attention.
“No,” she whines.
“Cake or milkshake?” Daniel asks.
His daughter flops back against his chest on the verge of a tantrum. While the two parents calm her down, the rest of the table puts our order in.
“Lemon cheesecake, please,” I order for myself.
“Oh, I think George just had the last piece. We have another full cake in the back fridge, but I think Grandma is saving it for a large group we have tomorrow.”
June twists her lips, then squints at me. “I’ll see what I can do,” she whispers, looking around to make sure no one heard.
Just like her grandmother.
“Have you decided?” Daniel asks his daughter.
“Milkshake.” She pouts, grumbling when her dad tickles her tummy.
“That’s not how we ask.”
“Please,” she adds.
“Good girl,” he praises, kissing the top of her head.
“Two strawberry milkshakes, please,” Charlie orders, then looks at my brother.
“I’ll have a chocolate milkshake and a plate of fries, please.”
“So three strawberry milkshakes, two chocolate, one vanilla. A plate of fries and one lemon cheesecake,” June reads out, ending in a whisper.
“Is Rupert about to eat?” Michael asks, peering down at the baby cuddled close to his mother.
Charlie chuckles, nodding.
Sam and I exchange a confused look, then shrug it off.
“So what are we doing about Cooper?” I ask.
The women look between themselves.
“Nothing. He’ll go away,” Sam states in denial.
“He’s not going anywhere.” I shake my head.
