Page 6 of Forever to Fall
For a few minutes, the pair ate in companionable silence, both too distracted by their breakfasts to talk beyond their obsession with the diner’s food. “I always love the food here,” Alice said between bites, “but I can tell when CeCe is cooking. This sourdough toast is ridiculous. How can bread be this amazing?”
“Because she’s the freaking best,” Evan chimed in, leaning in to refill their coffee cups. “I take it everything is delicious.” He winked at his sister.
Alice and Mallory nodded, both with matching satisfied smiles. “Please marry that woman,” Alice said sarcastically. “If she was my type, I’d jump on that train.” Evan shot Mallory a warning look that confused Alice. “And I think I just said the wrong thing.” It was a statement, not a question.
Evan’s voice was low. “Mal, I thought you weren’t going to say anything.”
Mallory balled up her napkin and tossed it at Evan’s head. It bounced off his blond curls before falling to his feet. “I didn’t, dumbass, but you certainly did.” She raised an eyebrow at her brother who had the manners to look embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his neck and scanned around them to see if anyone was listening. Fortunately, everyone else was too invested in their pancakes and waffles to pay them any attention.
“Oh, my God,” Alice stage whispered. “Did you pop the question?” She clapped her hands in front of her, fanning herself from the impending news. Both Lawson siblings shushed her, Mallory adding a kick under the table for good measure. Alice rubbed the sore spot but didn’t complain.
“No,” Evan said, waving his hands for her to keep the volume down.
“But it’s on the menu,” Mallory added, seemingly pleased with her food analogy.
Evan rolled his eyes but continued, “I’m working on it. Now both of you keep quiet, or I’m not giving you any to-go muffins.”
Alice’s eyes grew ten sizes as she fell back in her seat. “Blackmail.”
“That’s harsh, Ev,” Mallory agreed. It was a poorly kept secret that CeCe had been trying new muffin recipes for an online contest, and everyone in town was eager to try them. Those muffins were half the reason Alice got out of bed that early, as she tended to operate at a snail’s pace on weekends.
“I’m serious, Mal.” Evan pointed at his sister before turning his wrath to Alice. “And I love you, Alice, but you are sisters-in-law with CeCe’s best friend and the biggest gossip in Buckeye Falls. Zip it.” No one could argue with that assessment of Natalie, Buckeye Fall’s First Lady and all-around gossip hound. She might as well wear a megaphone around her neck.
Mallory raised her hand, pulling an invisible zipper closed over her mouth. “I’m a vault, and Alice is too.”
Alice crossed her heart and picked up a piece of toast, eating half of it in one bite. “Me too. Please don’t take away my carbs.”
Evan relaxed and picked up his coffee pot. “I’ll be back with your muffins, but I’m watching you.” He gestured between them before backing away.
As soon as he was in the kitchen, Alice looked over her shoulder to ensure they were alone. “Holy crap! Why didn’t you say anything?”
Mallory kicked her again and laughed. “Because I knew you’d get like this. At least don’t geek out in public, Alice.”
“Pfft, whatever.” Alice shimmied in her seat and ate the last slice of toast.
Evan returned with their checks and two paper bags. He slid the goodies in front of them, pointing to each bag as he explained CeCe’s latest creations. “This one is a caramel pecan banana muffin, and this one is a double chocolate zucchini muffin with peanut butter chips.”
Alice snagged the chocolate one and stuck out her tongue.
“Real mature.” Mallory laughed as she scooped up her muffin and tucked it in her purse. No one needed to know she wanted the banana muffin all along.
“Those are for your silence,” Evan cautioned Alice as she slid from the booth.
“If I promise to never say anything ever again, will you give me some cheesy bites?” A devilish grin cracked her face. Mallory was impressed with Alice’s strategy; Evan didn’t know who he was messing with.
Crossing his arms over his chest he said, “There are four in there already.”
Alice giggled and clapped her hands. A lottery winner would appear less enthusiastic. “I love you Lawsons!”
“Do I get the goods too?”
Evan gave his sister his full attention. “If you say yes to this favor, I promise to have CeCe make a whole batch just for you.”
Mallory was skeptical. “I thought this was for my silence. Now you want favors too?”
“I think you’ll like this one, promise.”
Raising an eyebrow, she waited for Evan to continue.
