Finding Home at Randy’s (Diner Days)

Chapter 21

T ori and I are finishing up an early lunch when Graeme and Callum walk in. Cal waves when he sees us and Graeme smiles, a soft, sweet expression I’ve never seen before on his face.

They make their way over and I grin up at them, feeling awkward because I want to drag Grae in for a kiss, but am unsure how he feels about that type of thing in front of his kid, especially since I don’t know if he’s told Callum about us yet.

“Hey, it’s weird seeing you here without your computer,” I tease.

Graeme laughs. “I needed a break, plus?—”

“We’re going to pick up my kitten later!” Callum squeals, interrupting him.

Graeme rolls his eyes. “Yeah, that.”

“You sound so enthused,” I say with a laugh.

Graeme sighs. “It wouldn’t have been my first choice, but Callum’s shown he can handle it.”

“I am the most responsible, thank you,” the teen says.

“Do you plan on sitting down, or are you just here to loiter?” Zo asks as they walk up to the table.

“We’re going, keep your panties on,” Graeme replies. “We’ll let you get back to it.”

“You could join us,” Tori offers.

“I don’t want to interrupt…” Graeme says, but the way he looks at me tells me he doesn’t want to go either.

“You’re not,” Tori assures him.

“Sit,” Zo orders. “Somewhere, anywhere. You can sit on the floor if you want, just do it.”

Tori slides over in the booth and Callum takes a seat, which leaves Graeme to slide in next to me. My heart warms when he presses his thigh against mine. Even though there’s plenty of room for us both, that he chooses to sit so close does funny things to my heart.

“Now that’s all taken care of,” Zo says. “I’ll be back for your orders.” They flounce off and Callum immediately buries his head in a menu.

“Thanks for letting us sit with you,” Grae says.

I smile at him. “Of course. I’m happy to see you.”

“Me too.” He sets his hand over the top of mine on the table and I let out a stuttered breath. Guess he doesn’t care if Callum knows we’re seeing each other. That thought has me grinning wider even as my heart skips a beat.

“If you two are going to be disgustingly couple-y, I’m leaving,” Tori says. “I can be single and alone in the comfort of my own home.”

Grame goes to move his hand away, but I flip mine over and hold it tightly.

“Don’t be jealous,” I tell her.

Tori snorts and tosses cash down on the table. “So not jealous. Excuse me, squirt.”

Callum doesn’t take his face out of the menu, even as he lets Tori out of the booth. “I’ll catch you later, Den. Nice seeing you, Grae.”

“You too.”

Tori leaves and Graeme turns to me. “I hope we didn’t run her off.”

I shake my head. “Nah, she’s squirrely about relationships right now, but that’s something she needs to take up with her girlfriend, or ex-girlfriend, or whatever they are, I can’t keep up. It’s not about us.” I give his hand a squeeze. “She would have left either way. Her social capacity is extremely low right now, especially since her top surgery. She’s still recovering, so tires easily.”

“If you’re sure…”

Leaning in, I press a quick kiss to his lips. “Positive.”

“Gross,” Callum says, giving the first indication he’s even noticed anything between me and Grae. “It’s not lunch and a show.”

“Don’t be rude, Cal,” Graeme says, more exasperated than anything.

Zo comes back over, collects Tori’s money, and takes Callum and Graeme’s orders. “Can I get you anything else, Den?”

“A strawberry shake would be nice,” I reply.

“Oh! Me too!”

“No soda then,” Graeme tells him.

Callum sighs but nods. “Fine.”

Zo writes everything down then leaves again.

“Do you wanna come pick up my kitten with us?” Callum asks. “We gotta go get all the cat stuff first, but you can come too.”

“Denver probably has other things to do,” Graeme says in a gentle tone.

“I don’t,” I say.

Callum grins smugly and Graeme raises a brow at him. The teen sighs, long and loud. “I’d really like you to come, Denver. If you want. And if Dad says it’s okay. I want to get to know you better, since you and Dad are kinda a thing now. Luka, too.”

I exchange a glance with Graeme and he shrugs. “It’s up to you.”

Looking back to Callum, I give him a grin. “Sure, I’d love to join you.”

“Awesome! I’m so excited. I’ve wanted a kitten for forever .” Callum starts talking a mile a minute about said kitten, and everything he already has planned out, from the name to where the cat bed he’s going to buy is going.

It’s cute and endearing, sitting here, holding Graeme’s hand while listening to his son. I can almost picture it being a regular thing. We’re just missing one thing—person—but I’m patient enough to wait for what we’re both building with Luka to develop into more.