“I’ll take one.” He glanced at Sunny, who was also looking at the cookies. “Make it two.”
Anita slid two cookies into a waxed-paper holder as the barista set the drinks on the counter. “One black decaf, one caramel coconut,” the young woman said and started tapping on the register screen.
“These are on the house.” Anita handed him the cookies. “The drinks are too.”
He set the cookies down and opened his wallet. “Can’t let you do that, little sis.”
“It’s my business.” She lifted her chin, but her amber eyes were filled with mirth. “I can do whatever I want to. And that includes treating my brother when he makes a rare appearance in my café.”
Guilt hit him again. “Fine. You win.” He slid his wallet into the back pocket of his shorts and picked up the drinks, then handed Sunny hers.
“Did you see Olivia?” Anita asked.
He froze. “Um, yeah. She looked busy.”
“She comes here to work sometimes. She could use a break, though, and we’re slow right now. We were going to chat for a bit. Y’all want to join us?”
“I’ve got a dance lesson,” he said quickly. “I’ll take a rain check.”
“Me too,” Sunny said. “But I’d love to have coffee with you both sometime.”
“Rain check it is.” Anita smiled and walked around the counter. After giving Kingston a playful punch on his shoulder, she walked over to Olivia’s table.
“Ready to go?” Sunny asked.
He nodded and, resisting the urge to look at Olivia again, followed Sunny. They stepped outside into the late-August heat, one of the hottest times of the year.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the humidity here.” Sunny fanned herself as they looked out for traffic. Two cars whizzed by, then they crossed Main Street. “We have a few muggy days in Maryland, but nothing like this.”
“I don’t think anyone gets used to it, including us natives.”
They reached the dance studio, and she took out her key and opened the door. Cool air welcomed them, and she turned on the lights.
“Make yourself at home.” She smiled.
She was the cheeriest person he’d ever met, and her smile was contagious. “Thanks. I have to tell you, though. I already know how to do the tango. I just need a little practice.”
“All right. Practice it is.” She walked to the picture window and pulled the metal chain on the side of a large shade. Several chairs were lined up nearby, presumably for parents and kids to sit on during lessons. “Do you mind if I open this? The sun isn’t as harsh in the afternoon.”
“Go ahead.” He sipped his coffee.
She tugged on the chain. The shade didn’t move. “Huh. I thought I fixed this the other day.”
“Here.” He set down the coffee on a nearby chair and went to the window. Standing behind her, he reached up to check the mechanism. “It’s stuck.”
“Again?” She looked up. “I’m going to return this thing. It’s given me nothing but trouble since I bought it.”
“I think I can fix it.” He fiddled with the pulley and yanked out a bit of tangled thread. “Here’s your culprit. Probably happened during manufacturing.” He pulled on the shade, and it easily went up.
“Thank you!” She turned around as he finished opening the shade. “It must be nice to be tall.”
“It comes in handy sometimes.”
As he lowered his arms, she started to move away, only to stumble. He put his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
“Sorry. Caught my toe on the corner of the rug.” Shelaughed. “I’m not always as graceful as I look.” As he dropped his hands, she added, “Ready to dance?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
