CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO #2
“You suck a lemon?” Lola asked, startling Malcolm back to the moment. She gently tapped his good foot. “I’ve never seen anyone this upset during a photo shoot. I’m tempted to take a picture and promote funeral packages.”
Malcolm snorted. “Sorry, long day. I guess I zoned out.”
Lola kicked out a chair and sat beside him. “Y’all are great.” She swept a hand around at the crew he loved like family. “I’ve done a variety of shoots over the years, but I can tell you’re a tight group.”
“We are,” Malcolm agreed. “Thanks for reminding me of that. Since the accident”—he waggled his walking cast—“it’s easy for me to forget that.”
Lola nodded, her eyes locked on Javi as he and George ran around with cones on their heads, earning belly laughs from Maxwell’s kids.
Javi paused their shenanigans long enough to catch his breath, then hoisted little Jack onto his shoulders and dodged Gus as he woofed and played along.
“Sometimes we don’t let ourselves see what’s right in front of us.
” Her voice was almost wistful as she watched Javi a moment longer.
Their moment of solitude came to an end when Lola slapped her knees and stood.
“Looks like I better get snapping. Kids can’t keep their energy levels this high forever.
” Before she left, she said, “Thanks for inviting me to your book club. It’s nice to meet people while I get settled. ”
“It’s our pleasure,” Malcolm replied, pleased to be able to help.
While he and Lola had been talking, Whitney and Jessie had made their exit with a very exhausted Gus. Trevor came up, hands brimming with candy from the vending machines. “Knock it off, Ortiz and Brock! We don’t need to document your hijinks on film.”
Both men grumbled, but they took the cones off and sauntered over to where Trevor had dropped his bounty. “I snagged you the last peanut butter cup, Smithy, but you better hurry.”
Malcolm didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed the packet and ripped it open with his teeth. Peanut butter and chocolate were his favorite combination, and in this moment the perfect distraction.
George joined them, hair mussed from his time as a Conehead. “Sorry, Cap. I’ll go help Chief with those budget reports.” He took a bag of M he needed to find Jessie and get to the bottom of this.
Because if she meant to stay in Pinegrove, he’d be damned if it wasn’t with him.