Turner had his attention elsewhere, checking out the girls at the Roost Bar’s counter and people-watching those milling about in the courtyard through the windows. We’d decided to sit inside today, but the view was still spectacular.
“How’s your week been?” I asked, playing with the menu on the table and contemplating ordering some appetizers.
“Fine.” He shrugged. “I’m bored. I built a new computer and went to an alligator wrestling match, but now that I’ve experienced an investigation, I just want to get back to work.” He took a gulp of his ginger beer. “I mean, everybody needed the break. Lamour was insane, but I miss it.”
I nodded and took another sip of my drink, savoring the unique flavors and letting the citrus and smoke melt on my tongue. “I can see that. I’ve only been off for a few days myself and am already going a little stir-crazy, and you’re way more high-strung than I am. I am all about being a man of leisure when the moment presents itself.” I chuckled.
“Yeah, no. I couldn’t do it. I can’t. If I’m not going or doing or making something, I get antsy, and that leads to anxiety. I have to be busy.” He grabbed the other menu.
“You hungry?” I asked.
“Kinda, yeah. Feel like some apps?”
“I was actually just thinking the same.”
We spent a few minutes perusing the menu, deciding on some potato rosti, oysters j’aime, and a couple of asparagus and avocado salads. Once the server had taken our orders and delivered another round of drinks, I held up my glass.
“Congrats on the new job. Oh, and by the way, thanks for the rec.” I smiled. “Deveraux Glapion called me last night and accepted my bid. I should be heading over to your next location soon to take a peek at things. He said that Katrina and a fire did some damage, and he’s a little worried about the cast and crew during the investigation since it’s just been sitting there. I’m more than happy to check the structural integrity and be on hand for anything that needs reinforcing.”
Turner tapped his glass to mine. “Oh, that’s great. You can help me with some designs I’ve had for how to mount the cameras and things, too. Van, Lennie, and I have been tossing around some ideas. Their old grip, Remy—who ended up being a freaking serial killer . . .” He raised a brow, and I winged one up in response. “Seriously. I can’t make this shit up. Apparently, he was at it for like a decade and nobody knew. Anyway, he was good, but I’m better.” He grinned.
“I have some fantastic plans for how to take their static visuals to the next level,” he continued. “And you are just the guy to help me do it. I can plan it, but I’m all thumbs when it comes to that stuff. You can build just about anything.”
I shrugged. “I love what I do. What can I say? It kind of comes naturally to me. I’m pretty decent at the engineering and planning, too, but I don’t have a lot of finesse for the fine details. That’s all you.”
The server set our plates in front of us, and we spent some time enjoying the excellent food. Brennan’s was a great place. A little spendy, but I deserved it, and I wanted to thank Turner for his help with me landing the job. Not to mention, he was family.
Between bites, he asked, “Have you talked to anyone from home? I haven’t been back in what seems like forever with college and the new job and all. I barely even talk to Mom and Dad anymore. They’ve been super busy with the foundation and things, not to mention Mom’s treatments.”
I shook my head. “Not for a while,” I said and wiped my mouth, taking another sip of my drink. “I should really check in with everybody and see how they’re doing.” Turner and I were from the same tight-knit community. I had been gone for almost a decade, so I’d only gotten to know him recently when we met again outside of the ranch to do some work for the foundation, but they were still my family. I still visited whenever I could and spent time with everybody. The Fontenots and the community had taken me in when I had no one and nowhere to go and were the centerpiece of some of the best memories and moments of my life.
I cocked my head. “I’ve had back-to-back jobs out of the city, and it was just easier to stay local. Then I decided to take a few days and come and see your ugly mug.” I pointed my fork at Turner.
“Better-looking than you,” he lobbed back and shot me a half-smile before shoveling in some more salad.
“You wish.” I grinned.
“Speaking of good-looking . . .”
“Oh, God. Do I want to know where you’re going with this?”
“You do. You really do.” He smiled fully this time, and I knew nothing good could come from the mischievous glint in his eyes. “There are some serious hotties on the cast and crew of the show. I mean, I don’t intend any disrespect at all, but let’s call it like it is. They’re seriously hot. And sweet. And there’s this one . . . She’s a witch and medium. Kind of the yin to Dev’s yang. She’s been really great to me since I joined the show. Sort of took me under her wing. I was talking to her about you at the end of our last shoot, actually.”
“Turner.” I groaned. “Bro, I appreciate the thought and all, but after my divorce, I think I’m kind of done with all of that for a while.”
I had married a girl right out of college, and it just hadn’t worked out. We were vastly different people from the get-go, and neither of us were done growing into ourselves. As the first two years passed, we became complete opposites. We tried for a couple additional years to make it work, but quickly realized that it wasn’t exactly good for either of us. Our split had been amicable, but I wasn’t ready for a relationship yet. At least, not a serious one. I wasn’t sure I wouldeverbe ready.
Especially since I’d never gotten over the love of my life. My teenage-years crush would always be the one that got away. And the worst part was, I still didn’t know where she’d ended up. I thought about her constantly and had even tried to look her up online but never got anywhere.
“No, no. Hear me out. Please.” He sounded so earnest and flashed me those puppy dog eyes, reminding me of an Australian shepherd. Who could resist that? So, I decided to at least let him speak.
“She’s really great. Like, so great.”
“Why don’t you date her?” I asked.
He laughed. “She’s your age. Too old for me.”
“Are you calling me old?”