Page 99 of The Last Goodbye

These were genuine friendships that I wanted to hold on to.

Bass was right: I was worrying too much about the future.

I was going to enjoy the present.

And that meant telling my friends all about my temporary situationship.

Well, I wouldn’t share everything. Some things I’d keep just for me.

I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, but it was some form of contentment.

It was the first time in a very long time that I genuinely felt this way.

And it felt damn good.

And if I could, I’d freeze time right here and right now.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d ever wished for that.

twenty-three

​. . .​

Bass

“I like your special friend, Uncle B,” Clover said. She peeked up at me as she walked with one hand in mine and one in Briar’s.

Someone had called into Brody’s work, so we’d picked up his little girl. I’d asked Briar to come with me.

We all adored this little girl something fierce.

“I like you, too,” Briar said, chuckling. “I’ve been wanting to meet you for a while. I keep hearing how special you are.”

Clover had a big smile on her face as I pulled open the door to the Cozy Griddle, where she’d wanted to come for some pancakes.

This place always felt like home to me. The interior hadn’t changed in years. It was a classic diner with gray floors, red leather booths, and a jukebox in the back corner that always played fifties classics. A large pink-and-green neon sign on the back wall said The Cozy Griddle.

“Hey there,” Margo Burns said. She and her husband, Stanley, owned the place. She grabbed some menus and led us to a booth in the back. “I see you’ve brought our favorite little girl in today.”

“Hi, Miss Margo,” Clover said. “Do you know Briar?”

“I’ve met Briar quite a few times. She likes our diner, unlike Mr. Fancy Pants over here.”

“I’m far from fancy,” I said, rolling my eyes.

We sat down in the booth, and she placed the menus in front of us.

“You like that gourmet food, and you know it.” She winked at me. “But I remember the way you used to load up on our diner food as a teenager when you worked here.”

The memory hit me hard. On way too many days to count, the only meal I’d get the entire day was at this diner. Margo and Stanley were kind enough to always let Jovi come in and eat for free during my shifts.

“Listen, I’m a chef. I enjoy cooking. So I usually eat at home or at the restaurant when I’m working. But you know I love your cooking, and this place feels like home.”

“You worked here?” Briar asked.

“Yes. It’s our claim to fame now. The infamous Bass Bennett started his career here as a busboy, and then a waiter, and then he got his start in that kitchen right there.” Margo thrust her thumb over her shoulder and tapped her knuckles against the table. “All right, give me your orders, and I’ll stop yapping at ya.”

Briar glanced over at me, and I did the honors. “My girls and I will all have a stack of pancakes, with a side of bacon and some juice.”