Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 309

Shanley stared at Melvin. Melvin stared back. The ride to the hospital was going to be awkward. They had been at each other’s throats before, but now they were in the same boat, and it was a boat with only one car left to take them back. The silence was deafening.

“So…” Melvin broke the silence first, running a hand through his hair. “Get in.”

“Alright.” Shanley didn’t argue. He opened the passenger door and got in.

The car was quiet, the only sound the low hum of the engine.

“Ahem…” Melvin cleared his throat, then pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered one to Shanley.

“I quit. Juniper doesn’t like the smell,” Shanley said, declining.

Ever since he’d learned that Melvin was following in his footsteps, Shanley felt a renewed sense of confidence. They were both robbing the cradle; neither had the moral high ground.

“Oh.” Melvin paused for a moment, then tossed the pack into the glove compartment with a wry smile. “You really listen to my sister, huh?”

“I have to,” Shanley said, adjusting his tie. “It’s an old Schwartz family saying: listen to your wife, and you’ll prosper.”

Melvin nearly lost his grip on the steering wheel. “Your family has… some interesting rules,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. It seemed his sister wouldn’t be pushed around if she married into that family.

“Bro,” Shanley began after a moment, his voice casual, “about that whole cradle-robbing thing…”

The comment hit Melvin right where it hurt. He remembered how harshly he had judged Shanley, and now… karma was a funny thing.

“Ahem…” Melvin coughed to cover his embarrassment. “When it comes to matters of the heart, sometimes things are out of our control. As long as you’re good to Juniper, age isn’t an issue.”

Shanley watched him, fighting the urge to laugh. He decided to spare his future brother-in-law some dignity. “You’re right,” he nodded in agreement. “Love can overcome anything, especially age.”

“Exactly,” Melvin said, a look of relief on his face. He lifted a hand, and Shanley met it with his own in a gesture of solidarity. The two old men had reached an understanding.

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