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Benjamin shifted his gaze between the three of us, trying to comprehend what was happening. “I see you’re already making friends,” he stated drily to Mia, who just beamed and gently petted Mr. Cross’s hand.
“This is my new good friend: Mr. Cross.”
Flattered by the true little trouble, he petted her hand back. “There are no formalities between friends. You can call me John.” He turned his sharp eyes to my man. “But you call me Mr. Cross.”
“I’m still not sure what I did wrong.”
“You impregnated her, and I don’t see any rings on her finger.” Mia just nodded along solemnly. “Why isn’t there a ring on her finger?”
“Yes, Benny. Why isn’t there?”
“Are you still needed here, Mia?”
Ignoring his annoyance—which I was sure wasn’t real—she gave us a big smile. “I’m hanging out with my friend John here, and I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Before he could answer, Mr. Cross scolded him again. “Don’t even think about saying any crude words to this young lady.” He’d officially claimed a favorite person. “And what about your baby and his momma? What are your plans?”
I didn’t have time to intervene before he answered. “I’m planning on taking care of them.” He was firm yet respectful. “That’s what I did today, and what I’ll keep doing. They’re my woman and my kid, so beside them is the only place I can imagine being.”
My heart swooned, and Mia grinned proudly. Mr. Cross wasn’t as touched—or horny—as me, though, and he still seemed reluctant until Mia stepped in.
“What about we give him a trial period? He seems legit.”
“Seems? We’ve known each other for years—”
“Shush, we’re talking,” she scolded Benjamin.
“Fine,” the old man conceded. “I’ll trust your word, young lady.”
She grinned cockily at Benjamin and mouthed, “You’re welcome.”
We stayed talking until the last customers began to leave. I was more listening than talking, too caught up with emotions. When the last person left and I shifted the sign at the door to show I was closed, I almost burst into tears in gratitude. Those four people dropped everything to help me, including me in their little group.
They started cleaning the place, sweeping the floor, washing dishes, organizing the tables, all while they talked and joked.
“Danny asked me to tell you he’s sorry for not being here. After we finished our meeting, he had to run to Sofia. His neighbor called, telling him Andrea had left her with the lady and hadn’t come back yet, the woman was worried,” Zach explained, fuming with each word.
After the swearing wore off, I strode to them until I reached Benjamin, who pulled me into his arms as if we did that every time. Maybe we should be doing so.
“I can’t even begin to thank you guys for what you did today.” I choked. “I wouldn’t be able to do half of what we did, and I’m so grateful for that.”
“This is what family is for.” At Zach’s words, I had an even harder time holding back my tears.
“Speaking of…” Mia turned to Benjamin. “Can we count on you for Sunday? They miss you.”
“You can. It’s been long overdue.”
They all started to get ready to leave, except for my man. I hurried to pack some pastries for them to take, which they did after some insistence on my part. We shared hugs, and I walked them out.
Zach looked at us over his shoulder. “Don’t forget to lock the door.”
I locked the front door and ran to Benjamin, losing the battle against my tears. He held me tight, kissed my head, and let me have my outburst.
“Today could’ve gone wrong, Ben, so wrong.”
“But it didn’t.”
I sobbed—damn hormones. “Because of you and your family.”
