“Then why is he suddenly our most punctual customer?” she’d taunted, wagging her pierced brows. “C’mon, honey, your fritters are good, but are theythatgood?”
Yes, but also…no. I couldn’t tell her that Viggo’s new donut habit had to do with establishing a bond or a connection. Maybe? It was awkward as fuck, but it seemed harmless enough. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about that. I was taking this one fritter at a time.
I pulled off my plastic gloves and tossed them into the trash. “Thanks. I’ll be right out.”
Janey quirked her lips in amusement. “Definitely a crush. Watch yourself, Boss.”
“Ha. Ha.” I brushed by her, fixing a friendly smile on my face as I stepped up to the side counter. “Good morning, Viggo.”
Viggo glanced up from his cell and don’t ask me how, why, or what was going on in my brain, but I couldn’t help thinking he was rather attractive in a rough and tumble kind of way. He wore a plain black tee under a green flannel shirt that was open in deference to the mild spring morning. His jeans and work boots were worn in and looked dependable and sturdy…like him.
“Good morning, Dexter,” he replied with a slight nod.
And with that, he pivoted on his heels and walked out the door. Same as every other day this week. But this time, I went after him. I couldn’t explain it other than…I needed more than three words today.
“Viggo!”
He stopped on the sidewalk in front of Mike and Sam’s Pizza, turning with a confused expression half hidden by his coffee cup. He took a sip and waited patiently for me to close the distance.
“I paid for my fritter. And the coffee.”
I wiped my hands on my apron and huffed a laugh. “I know. That’s not it. I…how are you?’
Viggo narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Why?”
I opened my arms in a gesture of peace. “I was thinking we could move on from ‘good morning,’ if that’s cool with you.”
His frown deepened. “O—kay. I’m fine.”
“And this is where you ask how I’m doing.”
“How are you doing?” he deadpanned.
“Not bad. I slept like shit last night and the alarm went off way too early, but that’s nothing a little caffeine can’t cure.” Ipointed at his to-go cup and continued. “I used new beans. I think the coffee tastes particularly good today. What do you think?”
Poor guy looked mighty uncomfortable…as if this exchange were single-handedly maxing out his social meter for the month.
“It’s good.” He inclined his chin toward the mill meaningfully but seemed to think of something at the last second. “I spoke to Freya last night. She’s sick…a lot.”
And now I was worried.
“We texted yesterday, and she said she was doing much better.”
“She lied,” he replied brusquely. “She can’t keep food down. I’m going to leave work early to visit her and?—”
“I’m coming too,” I blurted, unthinking.
Viggo went completely still, his frown etching deep furrows on his forehead. “No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am,” I snapped.
Viggo glowered and no lie, it was scary as fuck. I didn’t care. My mind was spinning. Medical experts indicated that it was totally normal to have morning sickness at any time of day, but if Freya had downplayed her symptoms, the baby might be suffering. I didn’t know what to think.
Not true—I was worried.
“Burlington is two hours away.”
“Yeah, I know.” I pulled my cell out to check my schedule, and of course, my day was packed. I scrolled for Silas’s number, hoping he could cover flag football practice this afternoon. I was going to owe him big-time. “The soonest I can go is three o’clock. The traffic won’t be bad and—” Viggo swiped my cell from my hands and glowered. “Hey! Give me my?—”
