Page 35 of Small Town Swoo
“Thanks.” He laughed a little, shaking his head. “I lost a bet, so I had no choice but to make it.”
I looked over at him quizzically. “What was the bet?”
“That I wouldn’t be able to stay away from Veronica after I hired her.”
“I can’t even believe you took that bet,” I said with a snort, recalling how he’d kept that arm around her shoulders at Moe’s the other night.
“Yeah, well . . . I had good intentions.”
I took a swallow from my coffee mug and watched Ari crack up delightedly as she poured coffee for someone down the counter. Who was making her laugh like that? Frowning slightly, I leaned forward to look past Austin, glad when I saw it was only old Gus and Larry. Then I kept my eyes on her as she passed in front of me on her way to the kitchen, giving me a quick smile over her shoulder that made my chest get tight, like my heart and lungs were swelling.
When I couldn’t see her anymore, I sat back.
And realized Austin was looking at me, one brow cocked.
I splashed some coffee down my throat. “Veronica seems really cool.”
“She is.”
“Kids like her?”
“They love her. They’re the ones who convinced me tohire her—well, plus Mabel and Ari.” He frowned. “Also Xander. Maybe Gus and Larry too.”
“You didn’t want to hire her?”
“She showed up on my doorstep wearing a fuckingweddinggown. No experience, no references, no skills that would qualify her to be a nanny.”
I laughed. “But it all worked out.”
“It all worked out.”
“So is it serious?”
“Yeah. I’d say so.” He set his cup down. “I haven’t said anything to anyone about this, so keep it to yourself, but I’m thinking of asking her to marry me. Maybe this summer.”
I blinked. “Seriously? That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
“I always figured you’d get hitched first. I’m still kind of shocked about Devlin.”
“I was surprised too,” Austin conceded. “I think all of us were, especially because it happened so fast. But when you meet Lexi, you kind of get it. They’re good together.”
I nodded, observing as Ari hopped up on the back counter to erase the Creole Eggs Benny, which must have sold out. Her uniform rode up a little bit, exposing more of her thighs. She tugged it down, glancing over her shoulder to see if anyone noticed. When she caught my eye, she held a finger over her lips, and I winked.
“What about you?” Austin asked. “Dating anyone?”
“Nah. I don’t date much.”
“How come?”
“I don’t know. I mostly end up at places where there’s a lot of industry people, and they’re not always the most genuine. Sometimes I’m standing in a room talking tosomeone, and she’s smiling at me, but I can see her looking around, wondering if there’s someone more famous or more powerful she should be talking to. It starts to wear you down after a while, and then I’m just like, what’s the point?” I shrugged. “But I don’t really care. I like being single.”
Austin laughed. “Yeah. I did too.”
“But it’s different for you. You’re a lot older, and?—”
“I’m notthatmuch older,” he scoffed.
