The Friends We Keep(114)

“Jack.” Evvie smiled. “What would we do without our boy?”

“Speak of the devil,” said Maggie as the bell rang and the door swung open. Jack strode in, already getting his iPad Pro out of his messenger bag.

“I’ve set up the social media accounts.” He grinned, opening the iPad and sitting on one of the banquettes as Maggie and Evvie sat opposite him, both looking at him adoringly.

Jack looked up at each of them and burst into laughter. “Can you stop gazing at me like that? It’s creepy.”

“We can’t help it,” said Maggie.

“We love you,” said Evvie.

“I love you both as well, but we’ve got work to do.” Jack was distracted, immersed in his iPad, tapping away as Maggie and Evvie caught each other’s eye and smiled.

“So I gave the name to one of my mates who’s a graphic designer . . .” Evvie suppressed a small smile. Since Jack had been living here, he had filled his speech with Briticisms. Mate, she thought, was not a word he had ever even thought of a year ago.

“I told him we wanted a retro Americana kind of thing, and he sent this over this morning. I changed it on Insta and I’m going to set up a Facebook page, but it looks really good. Here. What do you think?” He swung the screen around to show a circle design, with three small stars and the title of the diner in heavy block writing.

“My Two Moms,” Maggie read, smiling. “I love it.”

“It looks fantastic,” said Evvie. “It’s perfect.” And she took Maggie’s hand under the table and squeezed it hard.

The bell rang again, and Topher walked in.

“I know, I know, I’m late,” Topher said, stopping and looking around. “Maggie! You finished the paint. You did a much better job than I ever could.” He grimaced. “Big ideas, bad follow-through. I’m sorry I get so distracted.”

“If I didn’t know you so well, I’d be cross. Luckily I forgive you. Next time I’ll only have you design the garden.”

“I did do a good job on the garden, didn’t I?” Topher wandered over to the French doors at the back and looked out. It was a small courtyard, surrounded by high stone walls, with terra-cotta pots now attached to the walls at various heights, herbs spilling out of some, silver helichrysum out of others, dark green vinca out of still others. It was simple and beautiful and softened the stone walls, bringing them to life. Square black planters anchored each corner, a long community table was at the back, and a few other bleached teak tables were dotted around.

“The yard looks great.” Jack wandered to the back and looked out. “The whole thing looks awesome. Are you ready?” He turned around and looked at Maggie and Evvie.

“Ready as we’ll ever be,” said Maggie.

“We’re going to kill it.” Evvie smiled.

Topher walked over and put his arms around Maggie and Evvie, the group huddling by the window, each of them smiling.

“Come on, Jack,” Evvie called over. “It’s time for a group hug.”

“I don’t do hugs,” said Jack, but he was already taking a step toward them.

“I used to say that, too, but I changed,” said Topher, shooting a grin at the girls. “You have to do this one.” He extended an arm to Jack. “We’re not giving you a choice.”

“Oh all right,” grumbled Jack. Behind his pretend frown was a smile and a huge amount of love.

“See?” said Evvie. “This is what it’s all about. Because we are a family.”