Page 96 of All This Time

“Thanks.”

“And you were giving me shit about not eating at home,” I mutter to her out of the corner of my mouth. She sticks her tongue out at me.

Justin moves my copy of the order receipt to me. “Okay, everything is set for Saturday. Delivery will be at seven, as requested.”

“You’re the best, Justin. Thanks again for doing this on such short notice.”

“My pleasure. Anything for you,” he says, smiling. “Our dads were great friends, and I know he’d want me to make sure that we keep that tradition.” Justin’s dad passed away a few years ago, so he knows what it feels like to lose a parent, something we’ve bonded over since then.

I reach across the bar and place my hand on top of his. “I think our dads would too.” He walks off just as Dilynne hums beside me. “What?”

She stands from her seat, grabbing the handles on her bag of food. “Perhaps when this thing with Fletcher is over, you could give Justin a call.”

“Come again?”

Bopping me on the nose, she avoids answering me. “I’ve got to get back to the garage. Call me later if you need me.”

I watch her leave and before I can do the same, a familiar voice calls to me from my back. “Laney?”

Spinning my head in that direction, my body instantly goes on high alert when I see who it is.

“Mr. Adams,” I say, my stomach turning. I haven’t seen Fletcher’s dad in ages, mostly by design. Just being near him reminds me of what he did to Fletcher, and that memory alone makes me sick.

“Long time no see.”

“Yes, it has been a while,” I say as the smell of alcohol on his breath hits me.

“I take it you’ve seen my son since he arrived in town?”

“I have,” I reply, silently wondering why he would bring Fletcher up. Did he see us together? Does he know that I know about their past?

“Funny how he couldn’t even be bothered to tell his old man he was coming home, huh?”

“Well, it’s only for the wedding,” I say, hoping to remain as neutral as possible.

He nods. “Oh yes, Elliot’s wedding. Glad to be invited,” he says, the disdain in his voice dissipating. “Can’t deny I’m surprised by how quickly the whole thing transpired, but…” Shrugging, he doesn’t finish his thought.

“They’re in love. When people feel that way, sometimes they don’t want to wait to get married.”

Luke scoffs. “Well, if my son knows what’s good for him, he’ll avoid the mess of marriage.”

My pulse spikes. “Why do you say that?”

“Well, after what happened with me and his mom, and how dedicated he is to football, he’d be smart never to let a woman get in the way.”

Fear builds in my chest, even though it shouldn’t. Fletcher’s future isn’t my concern, but I can’t deny that Luke strikes a chord because I’ve heard his son say himself that he’s not interested in that kind of life.

But listening to Fletcher’s dad right now—the snark in his voice, the resentment and animosity—it makes me wonder if he’ll ever be able to let go of the past. Can any of us, really?

Are you wondering about Luke, Fletcher, or yourself?

Choking down my emotions, I take a step back from him and prepare to leave. “It was good to see you, Mr. Adams.”

He reaches for the beer Justin just poured him, lifting it to his lips before saying, “You too, Laney. See you next week at the wedding.”

As I leave the restaurant and return to the salon, a heaviness comes over me. I shouldn’t be so affected by the words Luke spat, but I can’t deny that they did make me stew on the situation I’m in with his son for the thousandth time.

Just focus on you, Laney. That’s what you’re trying to do now, right? You don’t have to help everyone.