Chapter 18

“Did you have fun?” his nephew asked.

Max chuckled. “I’m not certain aching muscles comes under the definition of fun, but yeah, it was interesting. And he fed me, afterward.”

Jack smirked. “You two are using food as a ritual for getting to know each other better.”

“And there’s a problem with that, why?”

“No reason I can think of.”

* * * *

Deacon showed up on the dot of seven. Jack opened the door, saying, “He’ll be down in a second. He’s just checking how he looks, for the tenth time.”

“I was not,” Max protested, coming across the living room to join them.

Deacon laughed, asking Jack, “Do you want a lift anywhere?”

Jack pumped his fist. “I didn’t want to ask, but if you don’t mind. I usually walk, to save on gas.”

“To you girlfriend’s?”

“Yes. She lives about five blocks from here.”

“No problem. Are you ready?”

Jack gave Deacon a thumbs-up—already on the phone to tell Karen he was on his way over while he got his, and Max’s, jackets from the hall closet.