Read Online Happy by Chris Scully - Free Book Online

were,” Peter said in a low voice. He winked, making
    Louie’s heart beat crazily for a second. His eyes seemed to egg Louie on.
    He turned to his audience. “Back then Peter had this long, dark hair that
    hung below his helmet and blew in the wind when he ran. Drove the girls crazy.
    And maybe a few boys,” he added with a sigh. He was embellishing now. Sort
    of. But he loved seeing Peter like this—flushed and relaxed and smiling.
    Joe shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe our Petey was a jock.”
    “I’m still trying to picture Peter with all that hair,” Adam said drily.
    Peter pitched his balled up beer label across the table. “Hey, just for
    that, you can pay your own damned bill,” he groused.
    Louie suddenly wondered if he’d gone too far with the teasing.
    He really didn’t have the right. Sure, he hadn’t been this immediately
    comfortable with anyone in a long time, but they hardly knew each other.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
    “You didn’t,” Peter responded easily. He removed his ball cap and
    rubbed the top of his head. “You’ve seen my dad. It’s not like this was a
    surprise or anything.”
    Louie sighed in relief. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin this
    perfect day.
    At that moment, the young waitress who had flashed her cleavage at
    him the last time he was here arrived at their table and set down a basket of
    warm, fragrant pita and a platter of dips. Today, she was wearing thick eye
    makeup and a black shirt several inches too short.
    “I’m Annie,” she said cheerfully as she handed out four small plates.
    “Well, hi there,” she added when she saw him. “You came back. I see you
    found something that interested you after all.”
    Louie knew she was only teasing, but the heat crept up the back of his
    neck nonetheless. If she only knew.
    “Annie,” Peter warned.
    “I know.” She sighed as she picked up her empty tray. “Table five
    needs more pita.”
    “And while you’re at it, why don’t you find the other half of your
    shirt?” Peter called after her. “Before Pop sees and fires you.”
    “Staffing woes?” Adam asked, already breaking into the pita.
    “Nah.” Peter shook his head, like he dealt with this all the time. “She
    may not look it sometimes, but she’s a great worker.” He used his knife to
    Happy | Chris Scully
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    slather a wedge of pita with one of the dips. “You have to try this one. It’s
    new on the menu. Feta cheese and hot peppers.”
    Louie about died when Peter held it out to him, like he was going to
    feed him or something. He was aware of Adam watching them with interest
    from across the table, so he took the offering cautiously, his fingers brushing
    Peter’s in the process. They tingled from the brief contact. He shoved the
    entire wedge into his mouth, barely tasting the spicy concoction.
    “Mmm, good,” he mumbled as he tried to swallow past his dry throat.
    As if that was the signal, the other three all dug into the platter.
    “Pete, why is your mother giving us the evil eye?” Adam asked
    curiously after a few minutes.
    Louie craned his head and saw the unhappy looking woman scrutinizing
    them from behind the bar. This had to be Peter’s mom. Only a Greek mother
    could glare so effectively.
    Her hair was a brassy shade of blonde that could only have come from
    a bottle, cut short and styled around her ears, and anchored in place with
    enough hairspray to survive a wind tunnel. Like many Greek matrons of a
    certain age, she wore the requisite black knee-length skirt and accompanying
    blouse. The buttons strained across her imposing bosom. Actually, imposing
    was the perfect word for this woman. He knew in his gut that he was the
    focus of her attention.
    “I don’t know,” Peter replied.
    “It’s because of me,” Louie murmured. He gulped as she strode over
    to their table.
    “You?” Joe asked. “Why—”
    “Hey, Ma,” Peter interrupted. “Do you know Demetra’s brother,