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“Text me,” he finally says.

A smile pulls at my mouth. “I will.”

I open the door. “Bye, Smoke.”

“Good luck with the author.”

“Thanks.”

I climb out.

“Callie.”

I turn back. Roman is watching me.

“What?”

“Inside.”

I roll my eyes, but I'm smiling. “Yes, Dad.”

His eyes narrow. “Don't fucking start.”

I walk toward the restaurant.

When I reach the entrance, I glance back. His truck is still there.

I smile and wave.

Roman doesn't wave back. He just watches.

I go inside.

Warm air hits me immediately. So does the smell of coffee, bread, and something sweet enough to make me reconsider my entire lunch.

The hostess smiles. “Hi. How many?”

“Three, but the other two aren't here yet.”

“Name?”

“Quinn.”

She checks the tablet. “Okay. It'll probably be about ten minutes.”

“That's fine.”

I step away from the stand and pull out my phone.

Me: Here.

Violet responds almost immediately.

Violet: I’ll be there soon. Printer jammed. Drew was freaking until I fixed it.

I smile. Of course he was.

Me: Parking is crazy. Roman had to circle once.