noting the iron grip. Then he shook Angel’s hand. “Nice to see you.”
Edward nodded, his blue eyes steely. Edward had made it clear to Jack that he should never cross that friendship line with Emma. That was in Jack’s college days when he’d started to drink too much, following a path that was all too similar to his dad’s. Jack had done things he was ashamed of, like driving after one too many beers. Then there was that time he’d shown up at the St. James house drunk on the night of Emma’s prom. Edward had met him at the door, frowned, and stepped out onto the porch with him.
“I’m here for Emma,” Jack had said, probably slurring his words all over the place.
“No, you’re not. If you think you’re taking my daughter anywhere in your condition, you’re mistaken. You’re lucky I’m not calling the police,” Edward said. Then he took Jack’s keys and drove him home. The entire drive to Jack’s house, Edward had lectured him. On drinking and driving, and dating his daughter. In no uncertain terms, he’d told Jack that anything romantic with Emma was off the table. “Your mom deserved better than the town drunk, and so does my Emma.”
Jack met Edward’s gaze now. It was pretty clear that he still thought Emma deserved better.
“And this is Jack’s nephew, Sam.” Emma gestured at Sam seated across the booth from Jack.
“Amanda’s son,” Edward said. “How is she?” he asked Jack directly.
Jack felt his body tense to a whole new level. She was in a facility for addiction this summer. Amanda couldn’t even take care of her own son. Yeah, Jack guessed his family was a bit dysfunctional in Edward’s eyes. “She’s great, sir.”
“She’s taking a vacation from me,” Sam pointed out, the same way he had multiple times already since he’d arrived in Sweetwater Springs.
The group of them went silent.
“Not true,” Jack muttered, giving Sam a stern look.
Emma cleared her throat and smiled. “Dad, Angel, we just ordered. Would you like to join us? I’m sure Ruby Jean can get your orders out at the same time as ours.”
Jack inwardly groaned, once again wanting to look at her dad and say “This isn’t what it looks like.” Jack wasn’t innocent though. He was enjoying sitting close to Emma, and he was enjoying spending time with her lately.
“Sure. That’d be great,” Edward said, sliding into the booth next to Sam. Angel slid in as well, leaving Emma and Jack on the other side.
“At least now I’m not the third wheel,” Sam quipped.
Jack’s heart dropped in his chest. He wanted to give Sam another stern look, but the boy wasn’t looking at him.
“I’m always the third wheel with my mom and her boyfriend. Then I come here, and I’m the same with Jack and Emma,” Sam went on, oblivious to Jack’s dirty looks.
“Oh?” Edward looked across the table. “Spending a lot of time together?” he asked Jack directly.
From the corner of Jack’s eye, he saw Emma shift nervously. “Just a little,” she admitted. “Jack has been helping me with the 5K I was telling you about. Since I’m having it at Evergreen Park.”
“Oh,” he said, seeming to relax a bit. “That’s right.”
“Edward told me about that,” Angel said. “Emma, I think that’s such a lovely idea. And I would really like to help you in any way I can.”
Jack had to admit he liked Angel St. James. Angel seemed sweet and kindhearted, and she really seemed to make an effort to be friends with Emma.
“Thank you.” Emma sighed softly next to him. “There’s been a slight hitch in the plans though. There’s no room on this summer’s calendar for my event.” Emma looked over at Jack.
“Well, no single slots,” he said. “But I was thinking that maybe Emma could join her event with another one that’s going on at the park this summer.”
“Sometimes joining forces makes things stronger,” Angel commented. “Right now, you just want to plan a 5K. But more people might come if there’s another attraction. I just love an arts and craft fair,” she added.
“But arts and crafts has nothing to do with wellness,” Emma pointed out, her tone a little clipped.
Ruby Jean took that moment to return to the table. “Looks like I need to take a few more orders.” She took the two new orders and promised to be back soon.
Jack looked over at Emma. “The Women’s Wellness Fair is a great match.”
Emma met his gaze, and he suspected, if she were to talk