I couldn’t believe what was coming out of my mouth. I was actually warning my sister away from someone and not the other way around.
“But he’s your friend.” She tilted her head. “I would think if you’re friends with him, then he’d be good enough for me.”
“Yes, he’s a good guy.” I rubbed the back of my neck as sweat dripped down my brow. “I don’t mean he’s terrible, but he has been terrible in the past. He tried to force his sister to marry a sleezy guy, and I lost count of the number of fights he’s been in. Although, he is loyal; I will say that.”
What was I doing? Was I warning her against him or talking him up? Even I was confused about what I was saying.
“The past is the past, Jenner.” She smiled. “And I want is to have fun with Eric.”
I shook my head as horrific images of Eric and my sister popped into my head. If they didn’t stop, I might have to claw my eyes out.
“You know what would be a good idea?” She grinned, and it looked strangely real.
I was afraid to ask. “W-what?”
“A double date! You and Lola, and me and Eric.”
I held up my finger. “Excuse me, but I have to find a restroom so I can hurl.”
Chapter 16
Lola
“That’s quite a smile you have on your face, especially at this hour.” Susannah nudged me in the shoulder as we were prepping the café for opening.
It was five in the morning, and I wondered if anyone got up this early. I thought about how great Jenner was with Jenni, and I smiled. “Just had a really great day yesterday.”
I was so wrong about him when I figured he wouldn’t want anything to do with his daughter, and it turned out he made the best dad.
“Does he have a brother?” She winked at me.
“Why does everyone think it’s a guy if I’m in a good mood?”
Lydia thought that after I first ran into Jenner, and now Susannah. They were both right, of course, but it was the principle of the thing. Why couldn’t I just be happy or quiet or any number of emotions, and it not involve a man?
My grin grew.
“Because, despite the opposite sex causing lots of frustration, they also can cause lots of smiles. Just like that one on your face.” She pointed at me.
“Fine. I ran into my daughter’s father a while ago, and we’ve... rekindled things.”
Susannah turned to me with a very serious expression. I bet she was going to warn me that second chances didn’t work. I had heard that before, and maybe it was true, but I could enjoy it while it lasted.
“So it is a guy. Then my question still stands. Does he have a brother, and if so, is his brother single?”
“No, sorry. He has sisters, but not a brother.”
She shrugged. “At least I could become friends with the sisters and expand my friend pool. They live around here?”
She pressed the keypad on the register, showing off her new rainbow-colored nails. It seemed the woman had different nail polish on every day.
“I don’t think so, but one is visiting. And she’s not someone you ever want to be friends with, trust me.” A shiver ran up my back as I thought of Jocelyn. Jenner tried to warn me, but I wouldn’t listen. She really was a terrible person.
I never found out where Eric and Jocelyn disappeared to, but maybe it was best I didn’t know. I loved my brother, but lately, he’d been strange. I couldn’t decide if it was a good strange or a bad strange.
“I’m about to open the store, so get ready for the mad rush.” Susannah made her way over to the front door. She turned the sign to open and unlocked the door.
“Really? It gets busy this early?”