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“It is,” I confirmed. “And as a kid, it meant I got a shitton of presents on birthdays,” I added.
“Every kid’s dream,” she said as the door chirped, and in walked Smush.
“Hey, Nino,” she said, brows arched a bit at not only seeing me there, but behind the counter.
“This is my cousin, Smu… Sofia,” I corrected.
Sofia’s eyes went small as she looked at me, but she let it slide.
“Oh, wow, we were just talking about Nino’s family. It’s so nice to meet you,” Savannah said, trying to stand. Until my hand landed on her good shoulder, and pushed her back down.
“Oh, right,” Savannah said, wincing a little. “I’m supposed to be taking it easy. Dr. Nino’s orders,” she added, getting a little smile from Smush.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“I think you need to fire the new guy,” Smush said to Savannah. “His customer service skills are lacking. How about a coffee and apple turnover for me, and a dozen mixed danishes for one of my clients?” she said. “How are you feeling?” she asked, looking at Savannah.
“Better now that I can sit for a few minutes,” Savannah admitted, plugging in the order into the computer. “But I’m sure it is up from here,” she added, ever the optimist. “It feels so good to be out of the hospital, though.”
“I bet,” Smush said, handing over her card, likely one belonging to one of her clients, and it didn’t escape me that it was a Black Card. Seemed like Smush was landing some ultra-rich clients lately. “I love this place. It feels very welcoming. I think my cousin Valley and I are going to come for brunch the day after tomorrow.”
“That would be amazing. I’d love to meet Nino’s sister,” she said, beaming, and I saw Smush’s knowing look as I passed her the pastry box, bag for her turnover, and a coffee.
When you were close enough with your family, you could have entire conversations with her eyes.
Like right then, I could tell Smush was thinking that it was interesting how Savannah already knew about my sister. By name.
“She got all the good looks and charm,” Smush declared.
“Nino’s not so bad,” Savannah said, shooting a little smile at me.
“Yeah,” Smush conceded. “He’s alright. You,” she said, looking at me. “Any special requests for tomorrow?”
“Nah, you always know what you’re doing.”
“Alright. See you then. And I’ll see you in a couple days,” she said, giving Savannah a smile before gathering her things and heading out.
“She shops for me,” I told Savannah, sensing the question hanging in the air. “Actually, most of the single guys in the family. And other people. She made a business of it. She’s got a knack for knowing what you need, and never letting you run out of anything.”
“I was almost afraid our cheap little computer system wasn’t going to work with that Black Card,” she admitted with a wobbly smile.
“Yeah, I think that belongs to a new client of hers. I haven’t heard about him or her yet.” But I was going to let the info slip to Valley, who would get the scoop, and it would circle back to me.
What can I say?
We were an overprotective lot.
We wanted to know who she was involved with, both personally and professionally. Especially when we knew that a couple of her clients had less than legal jobs.
“She seems nice.”
“She is. So long as you don’t call her Smush,” I said. “She was a chunky baby,” I explained. “Her mom gave her the nickname, fondly, but…”
“But now she hates it.”
“I’ve seen her chase one of my brothers around with a bread knife for using it,” I admitted.
“Here we go!” Sunshine said, breezing out of the kitchen with two plates in her hand. “Sit, sit, you too,” she said, waving her daughter toward a table. “I can handle the counter for a while.”
