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“Can you make me some coffee, and I’ll join you out front in a minute?”
“Sure.”
For one terrible moment, Lizzie wondered if Yvonne was going to fire her before she remembered that her boss had said she wanted to talk about something café related.
There was no one new in the café so Lizzie made the coffee and sat at the table closest to the counter, so that she could leap up to serve any new arrivals.
Yvonne came through with her list and settled herself at the table, pouring herself a cup of coffee from the carafe before slowly exhaling.
“That’s better. Today was busy.”
“And I’m sorry I wasn’t here to—”
“It’s okay.” Yvonne studied Lizzie over the rim of her cup. “There is no need to keep apologizing. We were fine. Your family comes first; you know that.”
“I think everything’s been resolved now,” Lizzie said cautiously. “So, there shouldn’t be any more problems.”
“Good, because I want to make some changes to my work hours. I need you to think about your future commitment to the café.”
“As in?”
“When Rio and I are married and based here, I don’t want to be working fourteen-hour days,” Yvonne said. “And I might be pursuing that TV reality show deal, but don’t tell anyone I said that.”
“Okay. Makes sense.” Lizzie nodded.
“I still want to bake and I’m happy to keep getting up at four to make that happen. What I don’t want to be doing is managing the café and waiting on people, which is where you come in.” Yvonne smiled encouragingly. “I want to create a position as manager. I’m hoping you’ll step up and take it on.”
“Me?” Lizzie asked.
“Yes, you’ve been with me from the start. You know how I like things done, and I trust you.” Yvonne reached over and took Lizzie’s hand. “I’d pay you more and you’d have fixed hours, which we can talk about if you decide you might like the job.” She paused. “Nothing is going to happen until Rio and I decide on a property and get it into shape, so there’s no need to make an immediate decision.”
“Okay, thanks.” Lizzie wasn’t sure what to say. She sure hadn’t been living up to her perfect employee status over the past week or so. “I’d certainly like to think about it.”
“Good.” Yvonne sat back and smiled. “Now, how is that lovely son of yours, and why did Adam Miller come into my café and insist he had to apologize to you?”
“Roman’s fine,” Lizzie said. “He’s definitely allergic to bees, which means we’ll be carrying EpiPens for the foreseeable future.”
Yvonne shuddered. “I’m not sure I could stab anyone with one of those things. I’d probably do it wrong.”
“Gabby and I are going to attend a class Dr. Tio holds at the health center to show us how to do it properly.”
“Good for you. And Adam Miller?” Yvonne wasn’t going to be put off.
“He . . . apologized. End of story.”
“For what?” Yvonne asked.
“Something that happened a long time ago,” Lizzie said. “He’s been very kind to Roman.”
Yvonne sighed. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“Nothing to tell.” Lizzie lied merrily through her teeth. “He helped me out, I thanked him, we had a fight, and now we’re all good again.”
“How good?”
Lizzie eyed her boss. “God, you’re so persistent.”
Yvonne shrugged in a very French way. “Well, somebody has to be. The whole town wants to know what’s going on between you two. I’m the first person everyone asks, and I need up-to-date information.”
“Nothing is going on. We’re just friends,” Lizzie repeated patiently. “Adam’s not the kind of person who gets involved with anyone.”
“I know, which is why him being seen with you is such a big deal.” Yvonne tilted her head to one side and fluttered her eyelashes. “Please tell me what’s going on? Pretty please?”
Lizzie picked up her mug as the front door opened. “Oh, dear, have to rush. Enjoy your coffee and feverish fantasizing.”
