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“Oh, um, it’s not for me.”
She didn’t care who he was giving it to. At least he was making a purchase. She knew Talulah had a lot riding on the diner and was always thinking of ways to make it a bigger success. “Got it. So this is to go?”
He shot a disgruntled glance at Hendrix’s party. “I guess so.”
She sliced his pie, put it in a container and rang him up. She wasn’t exactly thrilled to see Hendrix, but his sudden appearance had stopped an awkward situation from developing. She had to be grateful for that. As it was, Rocko left her a ten-dollar tip, which was way too much and added to her conviction that he’d been after more than dessert; she knew the interruption wouldn’t be a long-term deterrent. “Thanks for coming in,” she said as he took his bag and left.
Hendrix ordered a piece of red velvet cake with a cup of black coffee, and the woman he was with chose a slice of caramel apple spice cake with a latte. Leo wanted a glass of water and remained loyal to his favorite—the chocolate cake—but he reminded her, twice, of her promise to add a little of the strawberries and cream cake.
As Leo and Hendrix’s date, or whoever she was, left the counter to get a table, and Hendrix paid the bill, he lowered his voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Just helping out,” Ellen muttered.
“Do me a favor and don’t poison me, okay?”
“Don’t tempt me,” she responded and set about getting their order.
She could hear some of the conversation between Hendrix and the woman, could tell they were just getting to know each other. Apparently, she had the pleasure of being present for their first date. She had to smile at that. Hendrix had to hate the mere thought.
When Ellen carried their orders over, Leo was so excited, he jumped to his feet. “Look, Hendrix! She gave me abigof piece of strawberry. It’s not little. It’s big,” he exclaimed.
Ellen could feel Hendrix’s gaze as she put the plates and cups down but refused to look at him. Then she went back behind the counter and set about cleaning what she could while attempting to ignore the only patrons in the restaurant, which didn’t prove easy to do—not with Leo in the café.
“Do you want a bite?” he asked his cousin.
“No, I’ve got enough here,” Hendrix responded.
“Veronica, doyouwant a bite?” Leo held out the fork he’d been using to the woman’s mouth, but she politely declined.
“It’s good, Ellen,” Leo shouted to her. “You were right. Strawberry’s good.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Ellen called back.
As soon as he finished stuffing the rest of it in his mouth, he came over to her. “I’m big,” he said, tapping his own chest. “See how big I am?”
“You’re certainly tall.” He had an inch or more on his cousin and probably fifty pounds.
“I could pick you up, but I won’t,” he added quickly. “Hendrix said I can’t.”
They’d actually had this conversation? Ellen got the impression they had, even though it made no sense.
Hendrix’s chair scraped the floor as he turned it so that he could watch his cousin without leaving the table. “Leo, could you come sit down with us?”
“Why?” Leo asked, genuinely perplexed. “I’m done.”
“We’renot done,” Hendrix pointed out. “You have to remember your manners.”
When Leo’s face fell, Ellen decided to rescue the poor guy. “Actually, if your cousin doesn’t mind, I could use your help with something,” she told Leo.
“Did you hear that, Hendrix?” Leo called out. “Ellen needs my help.”
“Doing what?” Hendrix asked skeptically.
“I have a giant bag of flour I was hoping you’d move for me—since you’re so big and strong.”
“Oh, I bet I can do that. Can I help Ellen?” he asked, turning back to his cousin.
Hendrix’s gaze slid over to Ellen. He didn’t fully trust her, but he was in an awkward situation, trying to make everything nice for his date. “Fine. But come back as soon as you’re done.”
