The waitress returned with our food and set our plates down in front of us.
She smiled at Joni and Zip. “Hey, guys. Do you want your usual?”
“Nah, I want to change it up,” Joni said. “Grilled cheese and tomato soup, please.”
“Zip?” the waitress asked.
“Usual for me, Suzie. Thanks.”
“Right-o.”
When she left, I looked at Joni. “You guys are regulars here?”
She nodded. “It’s close to the garage.”
“Garage? What garage?” I asked.
“Charlie’s,” Boxer said. “Where we work.”
“Ah,” I said. “Got it.”
“I meet Zip here a few times a week. They’ve gotten to know us.” Joni looked at Zip and beamed, her cheeks rosy. “I’m afraid we’ve gotten too predictable and comfortable in our routine.”
“No shit,” Zip muttered. “Every time I come home, the TV’s on, and the woman is watching all that HGTV crap. It’s like we’ve become sixty-five overnight.”
“You were the one that wanted to renovate an old house,” Joni reminded him. “So don’t blame me for watching those shows so I have an idea of what the hell we’ve gotten ourselves into.”
“You’re renovating a house?” I asked. “That’s really cool. I wish I had the time to do something like that.”
“You’re still coming over tonight, right?” Joni asked. “You don’t have to work?”
“I’m free.” I looked at Boxer. “My schedule the last few weeks has been wonky, but I’m using it to my advantage.”
“Speaking of advantage…will you let me take advantage of you tonight when you crash at my place again?”
I stared into his eyes and grinned. “You can take advantage of me if you let me take advantage of you.”
“I’m so here for that.”
“I think they’ve forgotten about us,” Joni said to Zip.
“Yup,” Zip agreed. “They’re practically shacking up. And another Blue Angel bites the dust.”
“Dude, I can hear you,” Boxer said.
Zip grinned. “How much shit did you give me over Joni?”
“Plenty.”
“Turnabout is fair play, from where I’m sitting.”
“So go sit at another table,” Boxer said lightly. “And let me grope my woman in peace.”
“Do I have any say in the matter on this groping in public?” I asked with an arch of my brow.
He winked. “You’ll like it, trust me.”
“Gag,” Joni joked.