Chapter 186: Comfortable Friendship

The following weekend, with Jessi’s kids having returned to their lives, she and Judd once again fell into the rhythm of working together, this time on painting the exterior doors including the garage door. When they were finished, doors returned to their original terracotta that mimicked the barrel tiles on the roof, Judd suggested they head to the inlet for burgers, something they did from time to time.

Jessi happily agreed. Square Grouper had become one of her favorite places, although she couldn’t see herself ever going there without Judd. But she loved the casual atmosphere of the place, loved to sit by the water with a cocktail and feel the tension from a busy week ebb away. If they were lucky, there would be live music on the stage.

And it was the case, while she sat at the table at the edge of the seawall, and Judd strolled to the bar to order their dinner, a lone guitarist strummed Jimmy Buffett covers from the tiki stage.