Page 21 of Yours, Forever

"I'm good, thanks."

"Okay… well, I hope we can go for a walk sooner rather than later." I switched to the area next to the small sink. "I want to learn about the history of the town and I'd like to hear it from you, rather than a random website online. And I want to hear everything about the family feuds and everything— I wouldn't want to invest in something that ends up making things worse."

She gave me a suspicious look, but there was humor there. "I see. You like gossip."

"Please. Not at all. It's simply part of my due diligence."

"Right, right. Ah-ha." She gave the coffee to Eduardo. "Here you go."

"Now who's unbelievable? You should trust me." I rinsed the cleaning cloth under water.

A couple of people around us paid attention to our banter, a smirk on their faces.

"All right, then. No interest in town gossip," Eva said.

She cocked a hip against the counter, arms crossed again, and yet another humor-filled tiny curl to her lip. No laugh, though.

From my post by the sink, I mirrored her. "Now, if youwantedto share things you've heard, I wouldn't be opposed to that. As long as it could potentially be relevant to business."

She shook her head. "Fine. Let's go for a walk tomorrow after closing."

I may not have gotten a proper smile out of her, but I took the moment as a win anyway.

Tres Amigos + Jake Chat Group

Gabe: how's married life going?

Max: Good. I think we're well matched

Jake: that's great! When are we going to meet her?

Max: give her time. I don't want to overwhelm her more than she is

Gabe: nah ah. I tried that and all of you ignored it. Did your best to meet Lina asap

Max: but your and Lina's situation is completely different to Eva's and mine

Gabe: I'm not so sure about that

Jake: so are you going to stick around over there for a while? When might we see you next?

Max: no idea. I'm crossing my fingers that my father won't make much of a fuss. If he doesn't, I may be able to take some time away from my wife. I'm not sure I'll get to do that before I know what my dad is doing

Javier: yeah, that makes sense. As long as you're doing well

Max: this town is great. Very quaint. Eva knows everyone so the news flew through Laguna Island. Apparently, I provide great entertainment value

Jake: you could bring her to us to meet her. Lake house?

Max: she's tied to her job at the moment

Gabe: Are you evading?

Max: not at all

Gabe: then we could all go there and visit

Max: woah. Not yet. She's already skittish. A bit closed off. You all would scare her even more