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I’d heard that all day long, and I was well into the afternoon. No matter how many times someone said that, it still floored me and warmed my heart at once.
“I posted on social media, but I guess a lot of people didn’t know. Here.” I handed the woman a business card with my website and social media links. “That way you can stay in the loop.”
She looked relieved. “Great.”
“I also post the specials for the day too.”
“I’ll check it out.”
“See you next time.”
“Tomorrow. I can’t go another week without that lemonade.” She snatched up her food and hurried away.
I should’ve asked her name. I recognized the lady, but I’d never gotten that personal with her. Hopefully, she’d be back.
The next customer approached the window. I greeted them with a smile before I let my gaze drift down the line. It was long. Really long. And in the middle of it was Andrew Dixon. My stomach knotted when he caught my eye. His expression was unreadable. I’d left him without so much as a goodbye and had been too preoccupied with Ella to try to reach him.
He stared, and my next customer cleared his throat. “Did you hear me?”
“Sorry. Could you repeat that?”
I focused as best I could until Andrew reached the window.
“Bright Side.”
Wow.
He was every bit as beautiful as I remembered him. In his trademark linen suit and my favorite tie.
“Hi,” I said shyly. “Want me to surprise you again?”
“I’ve been worried. I couldn’t reach you.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, but I had a feeling that was to keep them occupied. Lines of concern creased around his eyes.
“I’m sorry. It was an emergency.”
“You’re a good friend to be concerned with Baker’s daughter.”
I needed to stop this, but it wasn’t the time or place to tell him the truth about Ella. “I—”
He held up his hand. “Whatever you want to feed me is fine. But I want you to include a way to reach you in that bag,” he said sternly.
“I’m not sure that’s the best way to ask for a girl’s number.”
“I’m the idiot who didn’t already have it.” He held his index finger and thumb up. “I was this close to calling Paths of Purpose.”
I froze. “Why would you call there?” I tried to keep my voice neutral, but it came out a squeak. Did he know that I lived there?
“Because you volunteer all the time. I was getting desperate.”
I nearly sagged in relief. “We’ll see what we can do about that,” I said lightly.
“I guess I can’t be too upset with you seeing as you made these for me.” He pointed his chin toward the mini-cakes that matched his tie.
“Maybe I hoped you’d come by.”
I ducked from the window before he could respond. I was flirting.Flirting. And he’d been worried about me. It was in his tone, his expression. I regretted that I’d been the cause of concern, but it made me feel cared for at the same time.
“I know I screwed up our date—”
