Page 80 of Just One More Thing

“Water bowl. Cooling towel. Backup bandana. Toys. Snacks. Backup snacks.”

“Are your clothes for the occasion in there too?”

He glances down at himself. “I’m wearing clothes.”

“The theme isGrease.”

“I’m aware.”

“And?”

“And I’m wearing clothes.”

I sigh dramatically. Hank snorts in solidarity.

As we cross toward The Green, Jake shifts everything to one arm and reaches for my hand. “This okay?”

His hand is warm. Strong. Very Jake. “Better than okay.”

The Green is already filling up. The enormous white screen glows at the water’s edge. String lights from Dock Lights and Late Nights still hang between the oaks, swaying a little in the breeze.

Walt is popping popcorn. Frank is at the doughnut table, handing out pink boxes with one hand and eating with the other. Miss Hattie has her cart nearby, and even from here, I can smell the hot dogs. Willard sits on his bench.

No French Fry in sight, which is worse. It means that seagull is lurking somewhere.

Jake spreads the blanket in the middle of the crowd and kneels to get Hank settled with his water bowl and toys. “Want anything?” he asks. “Popcorn? Drink?”

“Cherry Coke with extra cherries. Buttered popcorn. Doughnut holes, if Frank hasn’t eaten them all.”

“On it.”

I watch him move through the crowd, easy and unhurried, stopping to talk to people along the way. A retired couple and their glow-stick-wearing golden retriever. Mrs. Kravitz, who leans in to whisper something that makes Jake laugh and shake his head. A toddler who wants a picture with him and Hank’s tote bag, for reasons known only to toddlers.

I cannot stop smiling.

“You look happy,” Bethany says, appearing at my shoulder.

“You’re here.”

“Jake gave everyone the night off. Said if we tried to work through this, the town would riot.”

“Join us,” I say immediately. “There’s plenty of room.”

She glances toward the path and shakes her head. “Thank you, but I’m meeting someone. Can’t seem to find him.”

Before I can ask who, Frank yells, “DOUGHNUT SHORTAGE!” like we’re entering a state of emergency.

Three elderly women surge forward with surprising speed. I’m fairly certain one uses her cane to bat someone out of her way.

Bethany crouches to greet Hank. He accepts, then immediately requests more. “It’s good to see you two together,” she says, standing.

“Hank and I do make a cute couple.”

She laughs. “You know what I mean.”

I do.

“Coffee this week. I mean it.”