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I close it gently and shake my head. “I’ll take it, but I’m paying for it.”
She scoffs. “I literally own the shop, and you recently saved my life, Shane. Consider it a gift.”
“Uh-uh. I insist.” I walk it to the counter and set it down. “I’ll pay.”
She watches me for a second, something soft flickering across her expression before she gets behind the register and rings it up. As she hands me a receipt, I lean my forearms on the counter and get annoyingly serious. “So . . . you doing okay today? Feeling okay?”
Her cheeks flush pink, and she averts her eyes from mine. “I guess my little panic attack last night made a lasting impression.”
“Hey,” I say, and reach out to tap her hand gently. “There’s no need to be embarrassed. You’re human, Teeny. You should see me on the nights I’m home alone.” I widen my eyes. “Complete disaster.”
“Thanks.” She grins. “I do feel a lot better than last night, but I’ve had three cups of coffee, so I can’t feel much of anything other than heart palpitations, which helps.”
“Solid medical plan.” I chuckle. “And what about tonight? You’re welcome to stay at my place again if you need to.” The repairs on her condo are going to take some fucking time, and Rita showed no signs of offering her hotel vouchers or another unit. If I weren’t disgraced right now, I’d be pulling some strings with a couple of lawyers I know.
“That’s really sweet,” Teeny says, wiping her hands on a towel. “But Alfred insisted I stay with him for a couple days. I told him about what happened, and he nearly called the mayor. I can’t imagine what he’d have done if I’d called him directly in the aftermath. Probably would have died on me or something equally dramatic.”
“All this Alfred lore has me curious to meet him.”
“Trust me, you’ll love him. It’s impossible not to.”
“Well, he seems to like you quite a bit, so I feel like we already have a good understanding of one another. I look forward to the chance to know more. How did you meet him, by the way? Family friend or something?”
“Nope. He’s been a regular at The Hole Story since the first day I opened,” she answers. “He always came in alone, save Pip, of course, and I was always drawn to find time to talk to him, even in the rush. I think we were friends in a past life or something because it’s always been so comfortable. It’s not even explainable, really.” She laughs. “I know it sounds crazy, befriending a guy triple my age, but—”
“Not crazy at all,” I interrupt. “Just sweet.”
“Well, he is the sweetest.” Her smile is one of affection and adoration. “He’s also incredibly stubborn and has insisted on stopping by the shop later today to make sure I’m okay. Wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to talk me into taking him over to my condo to inspect the destruction himself.”
When a few new customers come into her shop and start to line up behind me, I can tell she has to get back to work. I start to step out of the way, but she stops me with a hand to my forearm.
“Hey,” she says. “Really. Thank you. For last night. For . . . everything.”
“Anytime.” I spot her phone sitting beside the cash register, and I nod toward it. “How about I give you my number? That way, if you need anything, you text me directly instead of bothering with the Magnolia Connect circus.”
“Ooh, special-contact status. I feel honored.” Her smile deepens as she swipes her hands on her apron again—something I can tell is so much of a habit she does it even when her hands are clean—before picking up her phone, unlocking the screen, and handing it to me.
I put my contact in, saving my phone number under Shane.
“Use it wisely,” I say with a wink, and she laughs.
“So, what? I shouldn’t put you down as my emergency contact?”
I grin. “Pretty sure I’ve proven that I’m one hell of an emergency contact.”
She quirks a brow. “Then what would be an unwise use of your number?”
“Not using it at all.”
Her responding smile lights up the whole damn bagel shop and beyond—even the cynically darkened cavity of my chest.
I back toward the door with my new book held against my sternum. “See you around, Teeny.”
“Bye, Shane.”
I’m only a few feet out of her shop when I get the first text message.
Unknown Number: It’s Teeny. Being expediently wise. How would you like to come back to The Hole Story tomorrow afternoon around 3pm and I’ll feed you bagels and coffee for free? You know, as a thank you for being my superhero yesterday.
