Page 36 of The Hardest Hit

“Hey!” said Jackson cheerfully, exiting the car like a piece of unfolding origami.

“Jackson, did you steal Aiden’s car?” asked Evan, trying not to laugh.

“I did,” said Jackson, grinning. “I took it to a guy I know. He thinks he can drop a vintage race car motor into it. I was thinking it might be a good Christmas present.”

Evan laughed. “Yeah, but nothing is going to fix the legroom.”

“True, but at least it won’t feel like I’m in Mario Kart when I’m riding with him. Are you getting lunch? I’m starving, but I need to get the car back before Aiden notices.”

“I…” Evan looked at Stavros’s restaurant with longing. But it was definitely not a Deveraux style of place. Jackson looked around and spotted the restaurant.

“Oh my God, is that what’s making the smell? I could smell it in the car. Can we go there?”

“If you want to,” said Evan cautiously.

He swung the door open and Stavros looked up beaming. “Evan!”

“Hey, Stavros.”

“And brother!”

“Yes,” said Evan. He never bothered to correct anyone about his relationship to his cousins. It was too complicated and, secretly, he liked it. He glanced at Jackson, who was grinning. “Shut up,” said Evan.

“And here I always thought you were posh-club, three-scotch-lunch guy,” said Jackson.

“I like well-cooked lamb,” said Evan.

“Well, if it tastes as good as it smells, then how could you not? Although, I suppose I shouldn’t. I have put on so much weight since becoming a Deveraux.”

“You were too skinny to start with,” said Evan dismissively. “Just start working out with Aiden again and you’ll be fine.”

Jackson laughed. “I’m going to have to. Is that your diet plan? Aiden workouts?”

“Oh please, I don’t hate myselfthatmuch,” said Evan. “I just have a trainer who wakes me up five three times a week and yells at me until I sweat through sheer anxiety.”

Jackson let out a startled bark of a laugh.

“Hey, Evan,” said Stavros, arriving at the table and depositing two water glasses. “The usual?”

“Yes, please,” said Evan. “And the same for my brother, but with extra vegetable skewers. He’s trying to be healthy.”

“Coming right up!” Stavros bustled away and left the two men staring at each other.

“Extra vegetable skewers,” said Jackson. “I feel healthier already.”

“They might be fried in butter,” said Evan. “But, yeah. Definitely. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” asked Evan, crunching an ice cube from his water glass and trying to decide if Jackson being here was as a result of anything in particular. So far Jackson appeared to be pretending their argument in his parking garage hadn’t happened. “I’m assuming you weren’t just driving by.”

“Nope. Was heading for your office. Wanted to talk to you before I called Aiden.”

Evan tried not to look worried. “What’s up?”

“I went to lunch with Nika the other day. Although,” Jackson leaned in, “seriously, what is acompote?”

“It’s like fresh jam. Fruit in syrup. You cook it down, but stop before it’s total mush.”

Jackson made a face that said he was unhappy with this information. Evan was always surprised by which parts of the Deveraux lifestyle were a shock to Jackson.

“I don’t think that’s what they served me and now I’m annoyed.”