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I look over at him and raise an eyebrow. “Son, do you even have a permit to set up shop in the park?”
He doesn’t meet my gaze. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to, Dad.”
I grunt. “Fine. Just…make something else besides donuts. Find something else to sell. And give back the espresso machine. I’ll finance one that works as long as you agree to take a class on how to use it. You can pay me back when you’re in the black.”
“Fine,” he sighs.
“Good.”
“So we’re done here, or do I have to hug you now?” Nate asks.
“Love you, kid. Now get back to work.”
ChapterTwenty
Mariam
My last customer of the day is Maisy.
I’m feeling some kind of way, so I close for the day during the lull after the brunch rush.
When her baby boy got hungry, my friend decided to hang back after Serena, Charity, and all the toddlers and babies left.
As I’m locking the door, I turn and smile at her. “How do you manage to look spectacular even while breastfeeding?”
She smiles up at me. “Two things: red lipstick and good shoes. That’s all you need.”
“Stay as long as you need to, and I’ll lock up behind you.”
I walk behind the counter to cash out for the day when I feel someone staring at me. I look up, and a tall, lean man with blue eyes and a sagebrush-colored Stetson stands outside, watching me through the glass.
Maisy sees the look on my face and turns her head to see Jesse looking in.
“Oh, man. I know that look.”
I sigh, counting up my paper money. “I do not know what that look means, but I’m not ready to talk.”
I stuff my cash into my bank bag and stick that in my messenger bag, then grab my supplies to clean up the dining area.
“Can I speak frankly?” Maisy asks.
I smirk while wiping down the table next to her and the baby. “Do you know how to speak any other way?”
She ignores this and simply says, “You’re being stupid.”
I pause, deeply aware that Jesse is inches from me on the other side of the glass, staring at me.
“Thanks, I love you too,” I say.
“I mean it. That man did something amazing for no reason other than to make sure you didn’t lose your livelihood.”
I stand and gape at Maisy. “How did you know he did that?”
“Sweetie. About fifteen people saw that play out, and there ain’t much else that ever happens around here. Are you surprised everyone knows?”
I grumble and slump into a chair. “Guess not.”
“Tell me why you’re upset.”
