He eased back, let his hands run over her shoulders, down her arms before he linked his fingers with hers. “Not so complicated.” He kissed her again, lightly, though the lightness cost him. “I’ll walk you home.”

Eight

“Mia, can I talk to you?”

With ten minutes until opening, Nell hurried down from the café. Lulu was already ringing up mail orders and shot her a typically suspicious look while Mia continued to put the finishing touches on a new display.

“Of course. What’s on your mind?”

“Well, I . . .” The store was small enough, and empty enough, that Lulu would hear every word. “I thought we could go up to your office for a minute.”

“Here’s fine. Don’t let Lulu’s sour face put you off.” Mia built a small tower out of new summer releases. “She’s worried you’re going to ask me for a loan, and naturally I’m such a soft touch—along with my soft head—I’ll let you rob me blind so I’ll die penniless and alone in some filthy gutter. Isn’t that right, Lu?”

Lulu merely sniffed and jabbed keys on the cash register.

“Oh, no, it’s not about money. I’d never ask for—after you’ve been so—damn it.” Nell fisted her hands in her hair, tugged until the pain stiffened her spine. Deliberately now, she turned to face Lulu.

“I understand you’re protective of Mia, and you have no reason to trust me. I came out of nowhere, with nothing, and haven’t been here a month. But I’m not a thief, and I’m not a user. I’ve carried my weight here, and I’m going to keep carrying it. And if Mia asked me to try serving sandwiches while standing on one foot and singing ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy,’ I’d give it my best shot. Because I came out of nowhere, with nothing, and she gave me a chance.”

Lulu sniffed again. “Wouldn’t mind seeing that myself. Likely bring in fresh trade, too. Never said you didn’t carry your weight,” she added. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t keep a watch on you.”

“Fine with me. I understand.”

“All this sentimental bonding.” Mia dabbed at her lashes. “It’s ruining my mascara.” She stepped back from her display, nodded in approval. “Now what do you need to talk to me about, Nell?”

“Mrs. Macey is having an anniversary party next month. She’d like to have a fancy catered affair.”

“Yes, I know.” Mia turned to straighten stock on the shelves. “She’ll drive you a bit crazy with changes and suggestions and questions, but you can handle it.”

“I didn’t agree to . . . We just discussed it yesterday. I didn’t realize you’d heard she asked already. I wanted to talk to you first.”