Page 36 of Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

LUTHERAN SALAD

GOLDIE

Dad

Dinner tonight at home, just the fam? 5:30 work for everyone?

I’m supposed to meet Erin and Juju this afternoon, but I can make it back by 5:30. Do you need me to reschedule, so I can help with dinner?

Dad

No, don’t change your plans. Grandma Nancy has a roast in the Crock-Pot and she and Grandma Donna are having a dessert cook-off, I think. So far, there are seven-layer bars and an apple pie…

Dylan

It’s been too long since I’ve had Grandma’s roast. I am in.

Camden

Me too!

Noah

Sounds good.

Tully

I’ll be there. You guys need to eat extra dessert so the grandmas won’t hound me for skipping it.

Noah

You’re on your own there. I’m still on Grandma Nancy’s shit list for not having seconds of her Lutheran Jell-O last Sunday.

Dylan

I just threw up a little. Was it the lime and cottage cheese one?

Noah

Yep. Grandma Donna puts a dollop of mayo on top.

Dad

Come on! That’s the food of my childhood! Often served with SPAM.

Camden

Okay, now you’re just trying to be hurtful.

Just to clarify…you haven’t seen any signs of Lutheran Jell-O prep going on over there, have you, Dad? If you could encourage the red Jell-O and mandarin orange one, that would be great.

Dad

I’ll do my best, but the grandmas are equal opportunists with the Jell-O flavors.

Tully

Speaking of over THERE, why aren’t you HERE this morning, Golds?

Dylan

I’m hurt. I came all this way…

Camden

It is very quiet over HERE.

I’m at Kitty-Corner Cafe!

Noah

I was just there…didn’t see you…

UGH.

Dad

Give your sister a break. She’s subjected to the grandmas almost every hour of every day.

I fan my face.

“What’s going on?” Milo’s eyes narrow. “Who’s making you so red?”

“No one to be jealous of.” I snort. “My brothers are calling me out for not being home this morning.”

He grins and comes up behind me, hugging my back to his chest. “I’m sorry we overslept. It’s all my fault.”

“It is all your fault.”

“It is. You didn’t want me keeping you up all night long. When you were screaming my name, you meant, ‘Stop making me feel so good, dammit!’”

I laugh and he turns me around in his arms, leaning his forehead against mine.

“Seriously, I’m sorry. I told you I’d get you back before they all woke up and I didn’t. I’ll do better next time.”

“If there’s a next time,” I tease.

“Oh, there’ll be a next time. I’m the only man for you…remember? You said that last night.”

I groan, leaning my head on his chest. “You are insufferable.”

Whenever the brothers are all in town, we get a lot done.

I show them the sample boards I have of nearly every inch of the project and let them vote on the final decisions for everything from furniture and wood choices to paint and lighting.

It’s a painless process since I’ve already narrowed it down to my favorites and have a good idea of what they each like.

Noah has called in every favor around the state, and because he and my dad have a great reputation with everyone they’ve ever worked with in construction and real estate, they’ve all been happy to help.

We’re also paying them well, but at least twelve guys have said they would have done it for nothing.

I’m happy that Dad’s seeing how loved he is, not just in this community, but from all over.

All the extra hands are making everything go faster than usual, which is exciting.

Most of the exterior work is done and anything we can finish before winter will be amazing.

All the indoor work will get done during the cold months.

The restaurant is almost complete, besides decorating it, and Camden thinks he can be here full-time in September, which is just a month away.

He’s conducted online interviews and will finalize the hires once he’s met them in person next month.

The restaurant’s grand opening will be in early October.

When I originally made a plan to take Kevin to visit Sabrina, I didn’t realize my brothers would all be in town, so I’m torn about leaving them.

However, both Erin and Juju got off work early to make this happen, and after my brothers teased me so much all morning about Milo, I gladly bail right after lunch.

We’re all at Erin’s place, a cute little house on Wildbriar Lane.

The puppies are adorable together, rolling around on the floor.

We’re sitting on the floor too, so we can pet them and be close if they get too rough.

“Can you believe how big they are now?” Erin says, her lips poking out in a pout.

“I know. It’s gone so fast.” I lean against the couch.

“They make me want a puppy, but I don’t think I could pull it off. Too underfoot at the bakery,” Juju says wistfully.

“Oh hey, before I forget, I wondered if we could do a Paint and Sip night at Cox,” Erin says.

“That sounds fun!” Juju says, laughing when Sabrina rolls into her leg.

They both look at me.

“Yeah, of course, I’m in. When are you thinking?”

“Whenever you’d agree to be our instructor,” Erin says, giving me the side-eye.

I laugh. “Oh, I see how it is now.”

“I’d open it up to everyone…they’d have to pay for supplies, of course, but I’m thinking something a little more exciting…”

“Like what?”

“Like those acrylic pour paintings you’ve done before. I’m dying to try one of those,” Erin says.

“Sure.” I nod. “Should we do a practice night first? We’ll need to do it in your back room, so we don’t ruin anything.

Or maybe The Cozy Palette? Hey—I can’t believe I haven’t asked before now.

I haven’t seen Percy around since I moved here.

Is The Cozy Palette even still up and running? Are they still in town?”

Erin lifts an eyebrow. “Percy took a sabbatical and hasn’t been in Windy Harbor since last summer. Maybe I could call them and see if we could use the space.”

Juju and I study Erin and she frowns.

“What?”

“You have Percy’s number?” I ask.

“Yeah,” she says, like it’s nothing. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just…we tried to talk you into getting their number for years! I didn’t know you’d finally gotten it,” Juju says.

“It’s no big deal. I mean, maybe it is since they’ve basically disappeared, but it’s worth a try.” Erin shrugs.

Juju and I exchange a look. Erin has had a crush on Percy Oliver for years and now she’s just nonchalant about their number?

“Highly sus,” Juju mouths when Erin isn’t looking.

I nod, wide-eyed, and try to school my expression when Erin faces me again.

“Well, let us know,” I say. “I’ll make time for it.”

“Like you’re making time for Milo Lombardi?” Juju says, poking me in the side.

I squeak and laugh. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m talking about the way he sneaks you out of the cafe every morning when you think I’m not looking,” she says.

“Gasp!” Erin says, and they both cackle.

“This is the day that it’s coming from all sides,” I say, sighing. “First, my brothers and now my best friends…if Addy calls this afternoon, I’ll know the universe is conspiring against me!”

“How is Addy?” Erin asks.

“Don’t change the subject!” Juju glares at Erin and then softens it when Erin shoots her an apologetic look.

“Addy is great!” I jump in, happy to divert.

“Uh-uh. Spill! What is going on with you guys? I mean, it’s been obvious for a long time that you’re into each other, but…is it official? Are you guys exclusive?” Juju turns to face me, her eyes all lit up.

“Well…” I start flushing immediately, which just makes them laugh harder.

I hold up my hand and they try to contain themselves. And fail.

“Okay. Okay!” I gripe.

They school their expressions.

“He has said he wants to fuck me until I never want another man inside me again, so…I think that means something, right?” I give them an innocent look.

They’re stunned speechless for all of three seconds and then they’re both speaking at once.

Erin: “What the fuck? I don’t think any man has ever made me horny, but—is his schlong worthy? It’s gotta be!”

Juju: “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, he is all about you! I’d say it’s definitely official!”

I cover my face and Kevin comes over to see if I’m okay. I focus on him while my temperature regulates and laugh when I look up to see them still staring at me.

“This is the best news EVER!” Juju cries. “I’m even happier than I was when Camden’s shirt caught on fire at The Hungry Walleye that one summer!”

Erin and I pause our laughter and stare at Juju.

“Juliana!” Erin says, covering her mouth. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say anything rude in your life, but that…that was rude. Really, really rude.” She leans over and squeezes Juju’s hand. “I’m so proud of you.”

Juju makes a face when she looks at me. “Sorry. That wasn’t nice at all. But he wasn’t hurt…bad…so it’s okay to say that, right? I mean, Jackson doused him with the fire extinguisher, so…” She lifts her shoulder.

I snort. “Maybe once Camden is here full-time, you guys can make some sort of peace with one another.”

Juju bites the inside of her lip. “Doubtful. He stopped by the cafe when he came into town this time and had the audacity to say he preferred Caribou’s coffee.”

Erin and I both gasp.

“That is…he couldn’t have meant that,” I say, horrified.

“That’s what he said.” She sighs. “I know we’re supposed to be loyal to Caribou since it originated in Minnesota, and it’s fine, but—”

“You originated in Minnesota too and your coffee is way better than Caribou,” Erin says.

I nod. “It’s true. Before I moved here, I always missed Kitty-Korner when I went back home. I can’t believe Camden said that. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks, guys. And you don’t need to be sorry for him. I handled it. I told him he could take his Cross Fox espresso and shove it up his snobby, uptight ass.”

I can’t help it, that cracks me up. I’ve never heard her talk to anyone like that, not even Camden, and he’s the only one she clashes with.

She looks at us, a huge crease between her brows. “I didn’t mean it,” she says earnestly. “I love Caribou. Cross Fox is my favorite from there—in the Honey Lavender Espresso Shaker. I was just…so…mad.”

“We need to unpack this,” Erin says, just as my phone buzzes.

“Sorry. I leave my sound on all the time now in case my dad needs me.”

“Don’t apologize. We understand,” Erin says.

I frown at the phone and pick up Kevin.

“Everything okay?” Juju asks.

“Tully texted that I need to get over there right away.” I’m already on my feet and they get up too, helping me with my shoes and purse.

“Let us know if we can do anything to help,” Erin says.

“And just…that you’re all right.” Juju scrunches her nose. “At least I hope everything is all right.”

I hug them quickly and rush home.