“Yep. Doesn’t matter what dessert you choose, you can’t go wrong,” Law said as he opened the door for her.
He wasn’t surprised when he saw a couple of guys he knew. He gave a head tilt, and they responded in kind. They caught on quick that he wasn’t up for any other conversation tonight except with the pretty brunette.
The teenage hostess sat them in a booth near the back and had coffee in front of them before they could ask.
“I love it when I immediately get coffee,” Jill said as she poured in a little cream.
“Do you want anything more than coffee and dessert?” Law asked. “They’re still serving dinner.” He nodded to some of the other diners.
“No, I’m good. I had something before the session. Yoga was next on my plans, and if I’d gone like usual, I’d have eaten a protein bar in my car.”
Law grimaced.
“What, you have something against protein bars?” her eyes twinkled.
“I like real food when I can get it. There are plenty of times I’m stuck eating bars and stuff, but whenever I’m in a spot that I can get real food, that’s my go-to, unless I’m in a real pinch.”
“Do you cook?” She took a delicate sip of coffee. She had great lips. He also liked the fact that she asked if he cooked. A lot of women just assumed because he was a Marine he couldn’t or wouldn’t.
“Yep. My mother wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s great in the kitchen. She taught all of her boys how to cook.”
“How many of you are there?”
“There were three of us. Xavier, Asher, and me. I’m the baby of the family.”
“Were?” she asked gently.
“We lost Xavier a year ago.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said sincerely. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Law set down his mug of coffee. He considered how to explain. But she must have seen something in his eyes.
Jill gave a wry grin. “That was stupid. If you’d wanted to talk, you would have about an hour ago.”
“Shit, I don’t know what I was doing there. It was kind of a last-ditch effort. I’m blaming it squarely on Ash’s head, and that asshole is going to hear about it, mark my words.” Law gave a feral grin at the thought of what he’d say to his brother.
Jill put her elbow on the table and propped her chin on her fist. “So, you’re going to tell your brother about going to the Grief Session? I’m impressed. I thought that would go against the macho code or something.”
“Marine code,” he smiled. “Not macho code, Marine code.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“Bite your tongue. Marines are in a class of their own.”
Before Jill could flip him more guff, the middle-aged waitress appeared.
“What can I get you two?” she asked gruffly. Law felt for her, it looked like she’d put in a long day. Before he could say anything, Jill gave her a big grin.
“How are you doing? I love your nails.” Just that little question and compliment put a smile on the woman’s face. Jill had nice instincts when dealing with people. He liked it.
“Thanks. It’s a new color my daughter talked me into. What can I get for you two kids?”
“Do you feel like surprising me, or would you prefer I choose?” Jill asked.
“Do you like creamy or tart?” The waitress was clearly getting into the game.
“Creamy.”
“I’ve got you covered.” She turned to Law. “How about you? Want me to set you up, or do you have your heart set on something?”
“I’m with Jill; I trust your judgment. I’m in the mood for pie.”
“Well, you came to the right place. Are you out of Camp Pendleton?”
Law nodded.
“You had the look. It was either that or we get some of the guys from San Diego. I’ll bring it out to you and top off your coffee.” She left with a spring in her step that wasn’t there before.
“So, do you live at Camp Pendleton?”
“I’m too old for that. I have a house off base. What about you, where do you call home?”
He watched as Jill’s face clouded. “I inherited a house in Laguna Niguel from my cousin less than a year ago.”
“Now it’s my turn to ask, do you want to talk about it?”
“To tell you the truth, I’m kind of talked out,” she said as she took another sip of her coffee. Headlights flashed from outside through the diner window and glinted on her hair. The shiny black strands looked rich and silky and he wondered how they would feel running through his fingers. It took a moment for him to catch onto what she was saying.
“I’ve gone to the group sessions on and off for five months. I talked a little, but mostly just listened. I took a job transfer out here so I could move in with Lorraine and be with her while she needed me. After she passed, I realized that besides the people at work, I didn’t know anyone but Lorraine, so I thought the grief counseling sessions might help me as well as let me meet some folks who would be on the same page.”
“How’d that work out?”
“After the first three months, I’d pretty much come to the conclusion it’s not my thing. What about you? I saw you on the stairs with that boy Kevin from the art class. He’s always making a run for it.”
Law chuckled. “His name is Kenny. He’s a hoot. I swear, he almost had me convinced to go to his mother for comfort. He was telling me how unloading on her always made him feel better, and he offered her services to me.”
Jill
