Page 124 of Worth the Trip

She walked off before Nolani could investigate.

I reached for my wallet.

“How much?”

Nolani put one hand over the bag. “Nothing.”

“Hershey.”

“Landon.”

“I’m paying for the ice cream.”

“No, you aren’t.”

“You own a business.”

“And I’m giving something to somebody I care about.”

That shut me up.

She pushed the bag toward me.

“Take it.”

I looked at her.

No scoreboard.

No argument about who was capable of buying what.

She wanted to give me something.

I put my wallet away.

“Thank you.”

Her whole face brightened.

“You’re welcome.”

Simple.

Better.

Employees called goodbyes as we headed toward the entrance. Purple Beads waved from a table inside Scoops & Stories.

“Bye, Coach Landon!”

I lifted the bag. “Finish that book.”

“I will!”

Outside, I packed the ice cream into the cooler and shut the SUV door.

When I turned around, Nolani was still beside me.

Pink apron.