go to your place and help you unload. What do you say?”
“Oh, wow. Let me ask Chris. He ran inside to grab something to drink. I’ll give you a call back in just a few.”
“Sounds good.”
Sawyer ended the call, and Ford looked at me expectantly. “Chris was inside. He said he’d call back.” Ford nodded once before turning around and going to the cabinet. He pulled down four plates and set them on the counter. It was almost as if he fully expected it to be so.
My phone pinging drew my attention. I was surprised when I saw it was a text from Sawyer.
Sexy BF: Chris said sure, he could eat. I’ll call when I get back on the road.
Sexy BF: So we’ll see you in about an hour? Your place?
Me: Yes. We’re at my place. You don’t have to call. I’ll see you soon enough.
Sexy BF: Okay. See you then.
“They’ll be here,” I said to Ford.
“Good. I’ve not seen Chris in some time. I think the last time I saw him around town, he glared at me before huffing off.”
“Do I want to know?”
Ford shrugged. “Nothing to tell really. I’ve only talked to Chris a few times when I’ve seen him around town. He’s only lived here what? Three years?” I shrugged because I wasn’t sure. I had thought Sawyer said he moved here after college, but that would have been five or six years ago now.
I pulled out silverware for everyone, and with Ford’s help, we had the table set in no time. Once the food was ready, we left it on warm and went to the living room to watch TV. We were still watching when my phone pinged again.
Sexy BF: We’re downstairs.
“Shit,” I said and took off out of the room. I left the door open and rushed down the stairs. I opened the back door, not knowing which door they were at, but when I was met by a smiling Sawyer, I grinned before I pulled him in for a hug. “Hey,” I said before burying my nose in Sawyer’s hair. A look up and I saw Chris. He looked different than I remembered. “Hi, Chris.”
“Hey, Hudson. How are you doing?”
“Good. How about you two?” I asked. I let go of Sawyer and stepped back to let them in. The door closed behind us, and I led the way upstairs.
“We’re good. A little tired though. It’s been a crazy two days,” Sawyer said. I would imagine so. They’d driven to Breckenridge, packed up Sawyer’s place, loaded up his stuff, had Thanksgiving with Chris’s family, and then driven back here. That had to make for some very tired men.
“Then I’d say it’s good you’re here and we’ll be helping,” Ford said. He’d obviously heard us as he was standing in the upstairs doorway. “It’s nice to see you again, Sawyer.”
“Hi, Ford. Thanks for the invite. We appreciate it,” Sawyer said. I stared at my cousin as Sawyer and then Chris followed me into the place.
“Chris,” Ford said.
“Ford,” Chris replied. That was all either said before Ford turned and went to the kitchen.
“Umm, the food is ready whenever you two are.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t have waited for us,” Sawyer said. I rolled my eyes.
“Of course we’re going to wait. We invited you. Come on, I’ll help Ford and you two can sit and relax.” I tugged on Sawyer’s hand, pulling him to me. I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. “It’s good to see you,” I whispered.
“You too. Thanks for the invite. At least I know I’ll have something flavorful to eat,” Sawyer said as he gave Chris the side-eye.
“Whatever. You’re feeling better, and I’m only trying to help,” Chris said. He took off his coat, and I watched as he tossed it over the back of the couch and then made a beeline for Ford, who was in the kitchen.
“He’s probably right. From what you’ve said, he’s been worried about you.”
“I know. And he knows I’m only giving him a hard time. Even he’ll admit that he goes overboard at times. You ready for tomorrow?”
I looked at Sawyer. Was I? Sure. But I was still worried. We were going into something new, and I was taking a huge gamble with the business. If nothing else, I knew I’d still have the bookstore, even if the coffee counter failed, but nobody ever liked to fail when it came to business.
“Yeah. It’s going to be great, I think,” I replied. I wrapped an arm around Sawyer’s shoulder