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“Not bad,” he said. “I liked the glaze stuff.”

“You should try the peppermint mocha ones next.”

He nodded. “Okay. I think I need some protein, though.”

“You feel your muscles wasting away?” I teased, pulling out my ordering pad. “I saw one of your videos. I see why you get so many calls.”

A blush crept up his neck. “I’m big with bachelorette parties,” he said, looking a little embarrassed. “And the over-forty crowd. They love me for some reason.”

“I think I know the reason.”

He blushed harder.

I liked that despite how obviously attractive he was, he was still self-deprecating about it. He clearly hadn’t let the adulation go to his head. There was something almost shy about him. I found it charming.

“So the peppermint mocha pancakes? What kind of breakfast meat do you want?” I asked.

“Bacon. I’ll hold off on the pancakes for now.”

I jotted the order down. “So how many hours are left?” I asked, putting my pad back in my pocket.

He did the math. “Twelve?”

“Me too. Hope you get out of here before I do,” I said, clearing his plate.

“So what’s the private investigator for?” he asked, changing the subject.

I paused. “You heard us talking about that?”

“I have really good hearing.” He grinned.

“My ex,” I said. “He’s missing.”

“Oh. God, I’m sorry.”

“No, he’s fine unfortunately. He took off with my cat.”

He blinked at me through the mask. “He stole your cat?”

“He did,” I said.

“Did you call the cops?”

“It’s a civil case, so they couldn’t help me. He bought her, so he claims she’s his even though it was a gift for me.”

He shook his head. “That sucks. Can you sue him?”

“I would if I could find him. He blocked me and I have no idea where he is now.”

“I told her she needs to just steal that cat back,” Laci called from halfway across the restaurant. “Find his ass and take her.”

I looked over at her. “Laci—”

“He only took her because he wanted to be a dick,” Laci said, dumping dirty dishes into the bin under the counter. “Possession’s nine-tenths of the law. If you get that cat, he’s not getting her back. Plus he’s too cheap and lazy to take you to court.”

“It’s not like I can get into his apartment, even if I knew where he lived,” I said.

“So what is your plan when you find him, then?” she asked.