Lewis Denning walked into the café like he did every morning he was in town and found the table he paid to have reserved, whether he showed up or not. With his back to the wall and an unobstructed view of the entrance—and his two discreet bodyguards whom he tolerated—he picked up the cup and took a sip of the coffee made just the way he liked it.

He’d been coming here for five years and had gotten to know every server who worked in the place—unless there was someone new. And even then, it didn’t take him long to train them in his preferences—they knew exactly how and when to serve his coffee.

The second cup remained empty and would be filled the instant the man he was meeting walked through the door.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than his friend, former unit member, and fraternity brother stepped into the restaurant. Lewis lifted his chin by way of greeting and Marshall McClain nodded in return.

Just as Marshall was halfway to the table, the young waitress stepped up and poured steaming coffee into the empty cup, then set three sugars and two creams on the table next to the saucer.

“Thank you, Jenny,” Lewis said.

“Of course. I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.”

“You know what I want.”

“Sure thing. I’ll have Zoe start cooking it.”

“You’re a keeper.”

She smiled and walked away, stopping to refill cups as Marshall took the seat opposite him.

His friend fixed his coffee and Lewis blew out a low breath.

Marshall glanced up. “How are you doing? Really.”

“I’m not going to lie. It’s tough.”

“I’m sorry.”

Lewis narrowed his eyes. “You don’t look so great either. What’s going on?”

“One of our employees was killed in a car wreck a couple of weeks ago.”

“What? I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks.” Marshall scrubbed a hand down his cheek and shrugged. “It’s been tough. He was a good friend, not just to me, but to many in the company. It’s going to be hard to replace him.” He took a sip of the steaming brew, then shook his head. “Some days I think I’m crazy to have gotten out of the service to open my own company.”

“It’s what you’ve wanted for a long time. The Army might have paid for your education, but you were never meant to stay there forever.”

Marshall pursed his lips and nodded. “Thanks. I needed that pep talk.” He paused. “The employee who was killed?”

“Yeah?”

“He lost his son about two months ago. And now this? It’s inconceivable.”

Lewis winced. “You just never know what life is going to deal you or when it’s going to deal it to you.”