Page 59 of Trick or Stalk

“I'll lie for caffeine.”

“Good enough.” She hands me one of the cups. “This one is for Margaret.”

Walter spots Penny. His entire demeanor changes. He stares at her, tail wagging.

Penny abandons her spot beneath the register and races toward him.

“Look at that,” Gracie says. “Young love.”

“I thought they were friends.”

“Walter has other plans.”

“I’m not sure Penny has any idea of his ulterior motives.”

“Probably not.”

“Typical man.”

Gracie laughs.

Walter and Penny sniff each other before Penny spins around and takes off toward the children's section. Walter slowly follows.

Gracie watches him. “He's trying.”

“That's what matters.”

“He'll get there by Thursday.”

I laugh and take a sip of the coffee. “Oh, that's good.”

“See?”

“I said I'd lie. I didn't say I'd keep doing it.”

Gracie puts a hand over her heart. “You wound me.”

“Aren’t you two supposed to be working?” Margaret walks toward us with a smile. “One of you for me and the other one at Bramble & Bean.”

Gracie points at me. “She's corrupting me.”

“I've been employed here for approximately two hours.”

“Plenty of time.” Gracie hands Margaret the coffee. “I figure this will make you happy.”

She takes it and immediately takes a sip.

She releases a content sigh, then turns her attention to me. “You're a terrible influence, Gracie.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I don't think that was a compliment,” Gracie says.

“I choose to take it as one.”

The bell rings again. Margaret returns to the counter.

Gracie lowers her voice. “So?”