Page 44 of Defensive Indifference

He shakes his head, reaches into his pocket, produces a business card, and slides it across the table. “No, of course not. Don’t be silly. Andrew’s sister Layne and her sister-in-law run a very unique food truck. There was this cooking competition Layne and her husband won, well, he wasn’t her husband at the time, but—that doesn’t matter. The point is, I asked Andrew to ask Layne if they might be willing to expand. He called me this morning and said they would be interested in speaking with you about the possibility of running a truck here in Savannah. What do you think?”

I blink a few times, unsure how to process any of this. Looking down at the business card, I note that Layne Langley is a tailgating extraordinaire who offers one-of-a-kind dishes on wheels.

“I…don’t…” I look back up at Koa, whose grin is so wide I almost can’t stand to tell him the next part. “I have no idea how to cook. Literally, donuts and coffee are all I can make. My lunch sandwiches aren’t anything special.”

“Right, they know that. Thing is, they’re literally willing to consider a different menu for Savannah. A dessert truck for events, venues, that kind of thing, assuming you’d be willing to learn to make more than just donuts. Nothing crazy. They’re thinking like cake pops, crispy cereal bars, some specialized cookies, and other easy to make things.”

“How…What…” My mouth flops open and shut like a largemouth bass, but even my stupefied mind knows I’d be an idiot to pass this up.

“I can set up a meeting with them at my place if you want. No pressure. Meet them, talk it over, see what you think, and go from there.”

“I wouldn’t know the first thing about a food truck business.” I cover my face with my hands and groan. It’s possibly the best offer I’ve ever had, but how can I possibly front the funds for such a thing? Franchises cost money, and that is one thing I’m short on these days. I drop my hands back to the table and pick up the card. “Koa, this is probably the sweetest, kindest thing anyone has ever done for me, but it’s way out of my price range. I can barely make rent on this place. There is simply no way I can buy a van and—”

“Wait, what? I’m sorry, no, you misunderstand. If you sign on with them, you’ll be a partner, Evalina. I don’t think you know how big their business is. Shoot, even I didn’t until Andrew told me this morning. They’re booked out for three years.”

“Three—” I almost choke on my own spit. “Three years? Koa! This card says Layne Langley is a professional chef! An actual, culinary school graduate! I make fried dough circles, and half the time I burn them!”

Koa shakes his head and leans in close. “The chance of a lifetime is sitting right in front of you. Are you going to take it or let someone else snatch it up?”

Lord have mercy on my pitiful soul, but I can’t help thinking his statement has a double meaning. I push out of my seat and begin my regular decision-making routine—pace until I’ve convinced myself it’s all a bad idea, go back to my usual default, and forever stay in the safe zone. I mean, I have to. I’m a mom, and safety is a requirement when it comes to providing for my son. I can’t afford to take chances, not like Koa can.

He steps in front of my path and grasps my arms, gently enough, but I still wince since the bruises Nick left will take some time to heal. Koa releases me as if I’ve scorched his fingers. “Sorry, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. A little bruised from—”

Koa lifts my sleeve and his jaw clenches. “I didn’t see how bad this was last night, but it’s probably good I didn’t, or else Nick would be in a full body cast right now.” He releases my sleeve, but that jaw stays tight, frustrated, angry. “Evalina—”

“Call me Lina,” I blurt. I can’t say why, but it feels right. It’s about time he calls me what all my other friends call me, but who knows why I felt the need to interrupt him to inform him that he has rights to call me by a nickname. Oh yeah, distraction from the oh-so-very-closeness of his face to mine. Straight up, no doubt about it, kissing close.

“Meet with them, Lina. You owe yourself and Dustin the chance to do what a lot of people can only dream of doing. It’ll work, I know it.” He steps closer, and sweet clover honey, my brain scrambles.

“Wh-why? Why do you think it will work?”

“Because you are too stubborn for it to fail.” He grins, leans in to whisper, “And I intend to annoy you until you say yes.”

“Y-yes?” My stupid voice is wispy and soft. My palms sweat and my fingers tremble. “Yes to what?”

“The business arrangement…and other things.” He’s palming my face now, and I have every reason to believe I’m about to experience the most amazing kiss of my life, then Dustin shoves through the swinging door, spies Koa, and loses his marbles.

“Koa!” Dustin climbs over the counter to get to his idol, but Koa seems equally as excited to see him. He catches Dustin just before my child face-plants over the counter, and the two immediately dive into a conversation about baseball.

I went from almost kissing Koa to blankly staring at the back of his head while he gives all of his attention to my son.

This is it. This is the moment, the very nanosecond that Koa Keaton steals more than bases. Somehow, he found the formula. He worked it out, got the right answer, and has presented it to me on a silver platter. It was always about my son, and for Koa, Dustin is more than the key to unlocking my heart. It’s not about that for him. He genuinely cares for my son, enough to completely forget I’m even in the room with them while they talk and joke around.

Dustin leads him to the back room to taste-test the blueberry donuts with strawberry frosting, and I know. I just know as if God Himself has imprinted it on my brain.

Koa is the one. If only I’m brave enough to let it happen.

Chapter Twenty-One

Koa

Keeping my head in the game is almost impossible, not after Eleanor’s call this morning. She’s been more help than the lawyer I pay to keep me apprised of things, but she’s never really a bundle of good news. Dad was attacked in jail. He’ll survive, but he’s in a secured ICU with tubes and lines, and now I’m not so sure spending time out in public is a good idea. What if whoever Dad is going against comes after Katie? Or Spencer or the other guys? Or Evalina and Dustin?

The crack of a bat brings me back to the little league game. Evalina stands and screams with joy as Dustin rounds first and makes it to second. The kid’s speed picks up every time I see him play, and with the summer camp just a few weeks away, I can’t imagine how good he’ll be next season. I clap but can’t seem to put my worry far enough in the background to be excited. Eleanor sitting beside us doesn’t help me forget, either. How awkward to sit beside one woman who, beyond my wildest imagination could let me in, let me fall wholly in love with her, and build a future together, while on the other side is my hired babysitter.

Eleanor nudges me and leans in. “Your smile seems broken and Dustin is looking at you.”