Top Dog

“That sounds phenomenal.”

“You don’t have to cook if you don’t want to. I can get it,” I said.

“Sit down and have some time with your friend. You let me have mine. Now take yours,” Amanda said.

“I like her. Listen to the beautiful woman. Come sit

down and talk with me,” Jack said.

A few minutes later, Lanie came running back out. She dove into Jack’s lap and curled up next to him, telling him about all the things she’s done lately. She told him about our hike and about how she peed like a big girl yesterday. She told him about how Amanda always had tea parties with her and promised they could dress up next time. She told him about all the times she watched Snow White and how she had been sick for a little bit but was feeling better.

“Lanie. Let’s give Uncle Jack some time to breathe,” I said.

“Time to breathe? Lanie, does it sound like I need time to breathe?” Jack asked.

“No, Uncle Jack!”

I heard Amanda’s giggle flutter from the kitchen as the smells of breakfast permeated the cabin. She was making omelets and frying up bacon like it was something she did every morning. Jack was rolling around on the floor with Lanie and I was staring at Amanda, running my eyes up and down her beautiful body as bacon grease popped in the pan.

“She’s a beautiful woman,” Jack said.

“That she is,” I said.

“You know if the three of you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask.”

“I appreciate it,” I said.

“That’s a pretty big rock on her finger…”

“It’s a pretty big rock for a pretty complicated situation,” I said.

“Do you love her?”

I whipped my head around at Jack’s question.

“What?” I asked.

“Do you love her?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.

“Everything, my friend. I saw the way you just looked at her. You’re more than a little infatuated.”

“Breakfast is almost ready, you two,” Amanda said.

“It smells wonderful,” I said.

“Divine, even,” Jack said.

“Keep talking like that and I might trade the two of you out,” Amanda said, grinning.

I felt another pang of jealousy punch me right in the gut, robbing me of the air in my lungs.

“Oh, yeah. You’re in love,” Jack said, chuckling.

“Could you keep your voice down?” I asked.

“All I’m asking is if you love her. It’s less complicated than you think,” he said.