Page 4 of Soft Serve

"I close at eight," I say. "If you want that conversation, you can come back then. Bring whatever you were planning to bring the first time."

"I'll be here," he says.

He straightens, buttoning nothing because there's nothing to button, and moves toward the door with the ease of a man who considers the meeting already a success.

He pauses with one hand on the door.

"The honey peach," he says, without turning back. "The smoke in the finish, that's intentional."

It isn't a question.

"Yes," I say.

He nods once, like I've confirmed something, and then he's gone, the bell ringing sharp and cheerful in his wake, and the door swinging shut behind him.

The shop holds its breath.

Then Millie spins around with both hands pressed to her mouth.

"Paloma," she hisses.

"Don't," I say.

"That was…"

"I know."

"He was so…"

"Millie."

She presses her lips together. I take my phone out, and my fingers hover over the screen for a second.

GROUP CHAT — NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY GIRLS

Paloma

If I go to prison, tell everyone it was justified.

Lucia

What did you do?

Paloma

Nothing yet. A billionaire just walked into my shop like he owns oxygen. Left. Coming back at eight.

Mari

COMING BACK AT EIGHT???

Paloma

For a business conversation.

Mari

Is he hot?