Top Dog

“I will. Thanks.”

“Not a problem. I’d love to stay and chat, but I figured I’d leave y’all to recuperate. I’m off today, but if you need anythin’, Dylan’s got the front desk again downstairs.”

“Got any plans for your day?”

“I’m plannin’ the family reunion.”

“The O’Conner Family Bash is coming up soon?” she asked.

“Next week, actually. Gonna be a good one.”

“They always are,” she said.

“You know you can come if you want.”

She raised her head from her hands and chanced a look at me. I could see her squinting her eyes in pain, and it killed my heart. But it was odd to me that she was experiencing a hangover this bad. Even with the wine she had with the girls, she only had two beers.

How long had it been since she really let loose like that?

“I think I’m going to take my breakfast to bed,” Katie said.

“Whatever you want. I’m gonna start this dishwasher, then I’ll get outta y’all’s way,” I said.

“Goodnight, Andrew.”

“It’s ten in the mornin’, Katie.”

“Well, I’m falling back to sleep sometime today. So goodnight.”

I chuckled as she smiled at me, gracing me with that sparkle in her eye just before she shut her bedroom door. I heard the other two girls giggling up a storm in the bathroom. Probably listening in on our conversation or some shit. I started the dishwasher and left the room, ready to start the last leg of planning for the reunion.

Then I ran straight into Dylan.

“Checkin’ on the girls?” he asked.

“Yep. They’re all back asleep. Cooked ‘em some breakfast.”

“Hope you didn’t kill ‘em,” he said.

“My cookin’s not that bad, asshole.”

“Language, Andrew. And since I have you here, I want to talk about the family reunion comin’ up next week. Anythin’ you need me to do?”

“Nope. I’m gonna go double-check with Caleb on food. He’s supposed to go shopping after his half shift today. Then I’m gonna talk to Wyatt and make sure no one has RSVP’d last minute for this damn time. And yes, I know. Language. Got it.”

“It would be best if you stopped cussin’ all together,” he said.

“Not a chance. Sorry it hurts your dainty little ears, bro. But I ain’t changin’. And before you say anythin’, no. I don’t do it in front of paying customers.”

“Good. Because guests don’t want to hear that kinda trash talk on their vacations,” he said. “What are we grillin’ for the reunion?”

“Figured chicken breasts, an array of vegetables, corn on the cob, some shrimp, and hamburgers.”

“What’s for dessert?”

“Banana puddin’ and Momma’s Oreo Layer Cookie Cake,” I said.

“Perfect. You sure you don’t need anythin’ from me?” Dylan asked.