Page 77 of A Little Twist

“Street corn!” Pinky sits back on her feet, lifting Piglet’s hoof in a cheering motion. “Hi-YAH!”

Gina nods, making a note before dashing away. “I’ll get that right out.”

Herve turns back to us, placing his hand on the booth behind Alex. “I’ve been keeping up with these development plans, and if they bring in a big resort, we want the people of Eureka to know we appreciate your business.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” Alex shifts in his seat.

“We’ll never stop coming to El Rio.” I smile up at him. “We can’t live without your steak and street corn.”

“Sounds like just the kind of recommendation I’m after.” A confident, female voice comes from behind Herve’s shoulder.

My brow furrows, but Alex’s expression blanks like he’s just heard a ghost.

“I’m sorry!” Herve quickly steps to the side. “Are you joining them?”

A woman about my height with tightly coiled red hair and pale skin steps forward. She has big blue eyes, an even bigger smile, and I don’t need Alex to tell me who she is.

My stomach jumps to my neck, then plummets to the floor.

“Jessica?” Alex stands slowly, almost cautiously. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi, Alex.” She steps forward, pulling him into a hug, and a knot tightens in my throat. “I parked at the courthouse, and an older man in a sheriff’s uniform was kind enough to tell me you were here.”

Doug. Swallowing the knot, I stand as well.

“You’re Jessica?” My voice sounds weird, so I clear it and try again. “I’ve heard so much about you. Won’t you join us?”

“Really?” Her voice goes high, and I realize she must be as nervous to be here as I am to see her.

Alex clears his throat as well. “Of course, sit. We’ll get you something to drink. We just ordered food, but I’m sure it’s not too late—”

“God, no. I don’t mean to crash your date.”

“It’s not a date. I’m the nanny. Cass.” Alex’s brow lowers as if he’ll contradict me, but I extend my hand.

“The nanny!” She grabs it, giving me a generous, friendly shake, and her voice returns to its original, more confident tone.

She sounds like a news reporter, and she looks like she just came off safari. She’s dressed in khaki cargo pants and Birkenstocks, and her short-sleeved shirt has a tiny floral print and those little loops that hold up the cuffs. I imagine her taking out a 55-mm digital camera and showing us photos of giraffes and zebras in the Serengeti.

I don’t hate her.

I don’t.

Maybe a little.

But she’s Pinky’s mom… Speaking of Pinky, I look over to find she’s busy feeding Piglet a corn chip and making him talk like Link Hogthrob from “Pigs in Space.”

“Have you met Penelope?” I ask.

Jessica’s blue eyes widen almost as if she’s startled. “Not in a long time.”

Moving away, I motion to Pinky, and Jessica’s eyes glaze. “She’s so beautiful.” It’s a quiet observation.

Alex cuts in abruptly. “I think we should hold off on any…connections.” His voice has a very pointed tone. “Until I know what’s happening right now.”

“Of course.” Jessica nods, dropping her chin and blinking rapidly. “I should’ve called first, but to be honest… I don’t have your number anymore. I only found you because of the bourbon. I remembered when I left, you said you’d come back here and start the distillery.”

My heart is beating so hard, and my emotions are swirling like a tornado in my chest. When she talks about their past, I remember they have one, and it’s complicated.

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