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“Buff?” Will asked incredulously.
“Gym bunny?” Charli asked with a healthy dose of skepticism in her voice. “Not sure that’s what I’d call you.”
“You’re just jealous because you don’t go to the gym like I do,” Janessa told her.
“I’m jealous because you go to the gym once a month these days?”
“Well, it’s more than your never,” Janessa retorted.
“The never-ending gym battle,” Will said with a laugh.
“Never-ending?” Blake asked, wondering about the inside joke.
“A few people in the Halverson family don’t share Jay’s passion for fitness,” Will said. “In particular, Janessa and Charli.”
“Hey.” Janessa leaned into her husband. “You didn’t like going to the gym either, darling.”
“Yeah. I know. But I’ve been converted.”
“Do you miss not being able to workout more, Blake?” Janessa asked.
Blake had tried not to think of everything he’d had to give up, everything he missed, after having to take on the full-time responsibility of raising Amelia. After all, it was what a parent did, and he was the only parent Amelia had left, so he would do whatever he had to for her. Even if it meant giving up some things he enjoyed.
“I do.” He shrugged. “But it’s not like I don’t get a bit of a workout at my job. I’m not sitting at a desk.”
“You’re not?” Will asked. “You can’t fix a car sitting on your butt?”
Blake chuckled. “Not really. I mean, you could try, but it would be a challenge.”
“Well, if you want to work out some time, you can drop Amelia off at the house,” Janessa said.
Blake appreciated the offer, but he wasn’t sure that Charli would back it up. That was why he was surprised when she said, “Layla would probably love that.”
“Uh. Okay. Well, thank you. I might take you up on that.”
Janessa grinned at him. “You make sure you do. If you don’t, I’ll have Will show up on your doorstep and drag you to the gym.”
“Uh, babe…” Will said. “I don’t think I could drag Blake anywhere.”
When Janessa looked between Will and him with a narrowed gaze, Blake lifted his brows.
“Okay. I’ll come with you, and both of us will drag him.”
Blake couldn’t help but grin at Janessa. He hadn’t spent a lot of time with her before, though he knew that of all her siblings, Charli was closest to Janessa. He wondered if Charli had talked to her about their previous relationship.
No, actually, he didn’t wonder. There was no way Charli had told Janessa anything. Janessa might have a great sense of humor, but he was pretty sure that she was also fiercely loyal when it came to her sister.
“You won’t have to drag me anywhere,” Blake said.
“Whew.” Janessa wiped her forehead. “Such a relief.”
Blake glanced at Jackson since his cousin hadn’t been participating in the joking, which was unusual for him. Jackson definitely didn’t look like he was into the fun. When their gazes met, he narrowed his eyes at him, which infuriated Blake. He regretted ever sharing about him and Charli with Jackson.
Earlier, Jackson had been upset with him for sitting beside Charli. Which was ridiculous because it hadn’t been his maneuvering that had made that happen. His cousin’s reaction seemed over the top and made him wonder again if there was something more there on Jackson’s part.
His cousin had become protective of Charli, though Blake didn’t recall Jackson caring about her like that twelve years ago. He hadn’t even seemed to interact with her back then, so it bugged Blake that he was taking on this protector role.
“Well, with that being settled, we should probably head out,” Will said. “I think they’re closing soon.” He looked over at the counter. “Are you closing soon, Izzy?”
