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He handed her a twenty.
“I’m Duke, by the way. If you need anything, let me know.”
She wouldn’t, but the offer was nice. He wore a police uniform, so she could only assume he meant in the official capacity. Though his sweet grin could also mean he meant in a friendlier way than she was prepared for. She handed him his change, nodding with a smile. Not to encourage him, but because she needed to be polite. Acting any other way might raise his suspicions, and she already lived next to the chief of police. The last thing she wanted was to be on the radar of every officer in town.
Eve didn’t get a break until two hours later when the line finally disappeared.
She felt sweat gathering in her armpits and her hair making her neck hot as well. After digging for a hair tie in her purse, she pulled her hair into a ponytail, just like Juliet. Now she knew to do that before she came to work.
While she manned the counter, ringing customers’ purchases and re-stocking the displays of sweets and mini sandwiches, Juliet worked alongside Chip baking in the back area. Tabitha worked the tables, clearing them off, cleaning them, and making sure the people who stayed to eat never wanted for anything.
She heard the bell ring, indicating someone had stepped inside. She twisted her gaze to the door, pasting on her smile, forcing herself not to lose it when the last man she wanted to see stepped inside.
Griffin walked to the counter with the same smooth grin he had worn yesterday when he insisted he help her unload her car.
“Good afternoon, Eve. I see you found employment.”
“Yes, Juliet was kind enough to hire me.” On the spot, though she left those words out. It still sounded insane.
“I’m glad she found someone as fast as she did. The other woman who worked here just up and left. Didn’t give a warning or anything. Really put Juliet on the spot.”
Was he cautioning her not to do the same thing? Because while he kept that damn smile on his face, his tone held a slight bite. As if he suspected she was hiding something. Hiding from someone.
Well, tough. If she had to suddenly flee in the middle of the night, she would. She’d do whatever she had to to stay safe.
“I’m sorry to hear that. What can I get you, Chief?” Eve forced the merriness into her tone.
His eyes sparkled with mischief, his grin inching up further. “I insist you call me Griffin. We are neighbors, after all. I’ll have one of the tuna sandwiches with a Danish.”
“Of course.”
She dashed to get his stuff and get him out of the cafe as quickly as possible. Then Juliet came out of the kitchen and ruined it.
“Grif! I’m so glad you stopped by. I need help moving one of my refrigerators.”
He groaned. “Stop reorganizing the back. It looks fine the way it is.”
“But it would work so much better on the opposite wall.”
Eve suppressed a laugh when she saw he wanted to roll his eyes. “I told you that last week when you wanted to move it from that spot. Now you want to move it back.”
“Well, I didn’t know until I tried it in the other spot. Now I know.”
He didn’t look amused. Eve braced for his rage to emerge. She even took a step back, shielding her body with her arms wrapped around her middle. Then his lips twisted into a silly grin as laughter fell out.
“It wouldn’t kill you to say you were right, Grif. You. Were. Right. Three simple words.”
Juliet pursed her lips in a comical way, making eye contact with Eve. “Men wanting to hear those elusive words.” Then she busted out laughing. “Not going to happen. Eat your food and meet me back there.” She started to walk away, then looked at Eve one more time. “If my brother ever acts like an idiot, let me know. I’ll set him straight.”
Then she left the area.
Brother.
Juliet and Griffin were siblings.
Wow. Just great. Her entire life was getting intertwined with two of the most outgoing, outspoken people in the town. Or maybe there was something in the water. Mindy had been a chatterbox too.
“Is Mindy your sister too?”
