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Sonya quickly turned her back to them and pressed her fist against her mouth. We looked at each other, both of us trying not to laugh.
“Mrs. Carter, I’ve packed up your lunch to go.” I handed her a paper bag with twine handles through the window.
“Want me to bring this home later? You’ve got your hands full,” Sonya said.
Grandma Carter leveled her with a look. “Hell no. I can’t trust you not to sell the rest of my cake.” She rummaged around in her bag, muttering to herself, “Whoever heard of selling someone a cake almost halfway gone?”
She slammed her money and a black velvet box on the counter and snatched the bag with her cake from where it rested.
“How long are you in town?” I asked before she left.
“As long as I feel like it.”
She shuffled off. Sonya, Mr. Hardaway, and I stared after her. I felt a little stunned, chancing a glance over at Sonya, who looked a second away from laughing.
“She strikes again,” I said, motioning toward the jewelry box.
Sonya squeezed her eyes shut. “Don’t look at me, or I’ll lose it.”
Mr. Hardaway rapped his knuckles on the metal counter a few times. “Hello? I’m next.”
Sonya’s lids flew open. Our eyes met, and we both doubled over in laughter.
“Stop,” I said between laughs.
“You stop,” she said, leaning against the counter for support.
“I’d like coconut cake,” Mr. Hardaway said above our laughter. “Oh, wait. You sold my coconut.”
Sonya and I exchanged a look, and a fresh round of the giggles commenced.
“I guess I’ll settle for chocolate and . . . what else do you have?” he asked.
“Carrot,” Sonya managed to answer.
Mr. Hardaway made a face of disgust. “No way. What about yellow cake with chocolate frosting?”
Sonya glanced behind her at the selection of cakes, each under a glass dome. She returned her focus back to the grumpy old gentleman. “Actually, yes. We do.”
“I’ll take that. Two slices.” Sonya moved to fill the order. “Don’t forget my piece of chocolate,” he called.
“You forgot to mention how you liked the pot pies I sent home with you the other night,” I said.
“I didn’t forget,” he said, and I pressed my lips together to keep from grinning.
The only compliment I would ever get from him was his repeat business. That was good enough for me.
He paid for his cake and lumbered off, sitting down on the bench next to Grandma Carter. I pointed with my chin toward them, and Sonya’s face lit with pure mischief. She let out a whistle and a catcall.
“Don’t let him sweet-talk you, Grandma Carter,” she called.
Everyone in line turned to see who she was talking to. Grandma Carter’s rounded shoulders stiffened, but she ignored Sonya. We got back to work, and by the time I looked over at the bench again, the two of them were gone.
“What’s in the box?”I nudged it toward Sonya the second we had a lull in the crowd.
“I’m almost afraid to look.” She shivered as her fingers pried it open. I tried to peer around her to see what was inside. “He’s such an ass.” But she laughed as she said it, so I guessed her husband, Drew, wasn’t in too much trouble.
“A chocolate coin?” I asked, my face twisting in confusion. I’d been sure the black velvet box meant jewelry.Guess not.
