I can feel his weight shift the van as he climbs into the nearly finished prep and cooking space through the openback door.
I always thought it was fairly spacious in here for two people, but Sly is taller and broader than me and now it feels very cramped.
When he leans against the refrigerator in his signature mechanics coveralls, folding his arms over his chest and nods. “You actually made this tin can nice. I’m impressed.”
“You say that like you’re surprised,” I say, grunting when I finally secure the gas line. “Don’t forget that I was watching Dad in the garage while you were still in diapers.”
When the overly ambitious couple all but abandoned the truck and never paid their repairs bills a few years ago, I remember counting down the days until our garage took ownership of it to pay off their debt. Two years later, and now the inside is nearly done.
Standing up, I’m almost eye to eye with mylittlebrother. I grab a towel to wipe my hands off, and then flick my wrist to hit him right in the face with it.
He lowers his eyes with an unimpressed look. “What’s left?”
I run my hand through my hair and look around the tight space. “In here? Nothing really. It could use a paint job though, and a new set of tires and brakes.”
He nods. “Well, since you actually got this thing to run, I’ll take care of the tires and brakes. And I bet Sisi would love a painting project.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll get around to it.”
He lets out a deep chuckle. “Please, consider it my thank you gift for finally getting this thing out of our parking lot and garage. I have enough of those adventure vans that I’m fixing taking up space already.”
I sigh and smile back at him. I know there’s no point in arguing because he’s as stubborn as they come once he’s made up his mind.
“What are you going to do there?” Sly is pointing at the open counter space next to the sink, along the back wall.
That section of countertop is the one space I haven’t laid out yet. In this confined space, real estate is at a premium, and I made the most out of every square inch I could. One perk of my experience working in world class kitchens.
I shrug. “It’s just a flex space for now. Could use it to make drinks or set up a food warmer.”
“Drinks? You mean like an espresso machine?”
I look back at the open space and I’m ashamed to admit that I never thought of that, despite having an espresso machine in every restaurant I’ve ever worked at.
“I was thinking more like cocktails, but yeah—I like that idea.”
“Glad I could help.” His lips pull up into a smug grin. “And don’t sound so surprised. You know I’ve spent enough time in your restaurants over the years.”
Looking back at the open bit of counter space, a different image fills my mind. Instead of my brother’s hulking frame next to me, I picture Kelsey in those painted on black jeans and tank top, constantly bumping against me in the tight quarters. Her long black hair would be tied into a ponytail while she pulled shots of espresso and made her delicious signature drinks. The space would be filled with the smell of fresh food and coffee while we worked together—just the two of us. That would be a dream, working so closely and intimately with her.
That’s exactly what the last two weeks have felt like with her though—a dream.
“Oh my god,stop bouncing your knee. You’ve been doing that all morning.” Sisi juts her chin at me from across thebooth at the diner. “You’re shaking the whole table and my seat too.”
I shoot her a sidelong glare over my cup of coffee while she shakes her head. I don’t say anything though.
“And all weekend too.” Sly chimes in, prompting her to look at him beside me in the booth. As kids, we always sat like this, with Slade next to her. As adults and without Slade here though, I find it just a bit amusing she puts our hulking frames on one side of the booth while she has the entire other side to herself.
She shakes her head. “Wow. I can’t believe you haven’t lost your mind yet. I’ve only spent the morning with him and he’s already driving me crazy.”
We’ve spent all morning talking about the details for her wedding. It’s coming up fast, but I think we have everything finally under control.
Sly’s lips curl into a knowing grin. “He just wants to get back to Wyoming and see hisgirlfriend.”
I drop my hand under the table, ball it into a fist, and punch him square in his kidney.
Shit. Is that what we are though? Boyfriend and girlfriend? We haven’t actually discussed that yet, but it kind of feels that way. Now I know I want to have that conversation as soon I’m back in Jackson.
Sisi laughs and leans over the table, steepling her hands in front of her with a devious grin. “Yeah. We haven’t had a chance to talk about that development yet.”