“Well, you like him, don’t you?”
“Sammy, I… Sure. He’s a nice guy, but that doesn’t mean…” She looked helplessly at Gard, but he was tied up in his phone conversation. And there was this whole…dinner, and the other day when she’d thought… She leaned forward, lowered her voice. “Did hesayhe was going to ask me out?”
“Not in so many words,” Sammy said. “He has this annoying tendency of, you know, not living his life when I’m around. And you’re not…unlike that, though it’s not about me, I know.”
“I’m living my life,” Lia said, not sure why she feltoffendedby a fifteen-year-old’s point of view.
Sammy studied her critically. “You just seem really…alone.”
Lia bristled, both in surprise and hurt. “I’m not alone.”
“Albennie and Franny are the only two people I ever see you talk to.”
Which wasn’t…far off the truth. Sure, there were the business meetings with Zach and the other Hope Town business owners, and the book club at the bookstore when she managed to read the book, but…yeah mostly just Albennie and Franny and mostly just at the bakery.
ButSammydidn’t need to know that. “Sammy, that’s very…sweet that you’re concerned, but you only see a fraction of my life. I have a lot of responsibilities outside the bakery, and other friends. A whole, full life.” Sort of.
Sammy frowned a little, clearly considering for the first time Lia might have a life outside of when Sammy saw her. But then she looked over at Gard, who was still outside talking on his phone.
“What’s wrong with him?” Sammy asked.
“Nothing iswrongwith him.” Like, literally nothing. And wasn’t that a problem? “I’m just not…big on dating.”
“Why not?”
Because I have a secret past and you can’t really build a relationship on lies.
“Sammy, this is sweet, but…”
“Just, if he asks, give him a chance. He needs someone. Maybe you’re not alone and lonely, butheis.”
“Did he say that?”
Sammy snorted. “He’s aguy, Lia. He doesn’t realize it yet.”
Lia studied the teen, knowing she couldn’t argue withthat. Still… This was a lot. She reached across the table, put her hand over Sammy’s.
“Sammy, you mean a lot to me. I wouldn’t want to complicate…anything.”
“It’s not complicated. I like you both. You like each other. If he’s a jerk, I’ll key his truck for you. If you’re a jerk, I’ll switch all the sugar in the bakery out for salt.” Sammy shrugged as if anything was that simple. “Look, he’s coming. Don’t tell him I said anything. Just say yes if he asks, okay?”
But Lia couldn’t agree or disagree because Gard was back, sliding into his seat.
“You don’t have to go in to work, do you?” Sammy asked.
Gard smiled, but Lia saw some tension behind it. She figured Sammy did too. “No. Not heading into work.”
Chapter Eight
They walked out of the restaurant stuffed, and Gard had been able to mostly forget the phone call from Dani’s former manager.
He had a name for the customer who’d gotten Dani the alleged new job. What he’dwantedto do was ditch dinner. Honestly, if Lia hadn’t come, he would have hurried Sammy along and done just that. But the presence of another person had made him think twice.
And reminded him that Sammy was his priority. Notmaybetracking down whatever hole Dani had jumped into of her own accord.
So, he owed Lia his thanks, even if she didn’t know it. And it had been…nice. To not just be the two of them. Sammy kind of performed for him, but with another adult there she had relaxed more into herself.
Or maybe just withLiathere, she relaxed more into herself.
