From Kelly’s seated position, Lucy’s legs seemed to go on forever. She wanted to climb them like a tree, wrap her legs around Lucy’s torso, and cling to her like a possum.

The mouth-watering view was replaced by Lucy’s gorgeous face when she crouched next to Kelly. A flash of mauve caught Kelly’s eye and she resisted the urge to look up Lucy’s skirt.

The corner of Lucy’s mouth twitched. “Do you hang out in back alleys often?”

“Only when I’m hungry,” Kelly retorted.

When Lucy didn’t so much as crack a smile, Kelly felt like an awkward teenager trying to pick up a girl and failing miserably.

Suddenly all business, Lucy shot a nervous glance toward the door. “I don’t want your boss to see me talking to you. She might think I’m sharing confidential information.”

“You wouldn’t do that,” Kelly stated as though she was judge, jury, and executioner, even though she knew next to nothing about Lucy.

Worry lines gave way to a smile. “Thanks for your vote of confidence. Look, we need to talk, Kelly. Are you free tonight? Perhaps we could meet for a drink. Just the two of us?”

A cocktail of emotions ricocheted through Kelly’s body. Joy over being asked out, even if it wasn’t on an official date. Uncertainty. The troubled look in Lucy’s eyes worried her. And hope. Kelly lost herself in the daydream that, at the very least, they would become good friends.

When Kelly didn’t reply fast enough, Lucy stood, her knee letting out a crack.

“Never mind, I shouldn’t have asked. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable.”

Adrenaline surged through Kelly as she shot to her feet. Her sandwich flew out of her lap and landed in the gutter. Kelly didn’t give a damn that her lunch had been ruined. No way was she going to pass up the opportunity.

“It’s a date. I mean I’d love to. Name a time and place and I’ll be there.” Fit to burst with happiness, Kelly added, “With bells and whistles.”

The charming smile on Lucy’s face spurred her on, and Kelly went all out. “Or boots and leathers.” Kelly waggled her eyebrows, leaving Lucy to decide whether she was referring to her motorcycle attire or something far sexier.

The backdoor opened and they both froze. When Jacinta’s face appeared, not Jennifer’s, Kelly breathed out a sigh of relief.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you.” Jacinta smiled at Lucy then turned to Kelly. “It’s almost one, we’ll be flooded with customers again soon.”

Jennifer hated it if all hands weren’t on deck during peak times, so Kelly was genuinely thankful for the warning.

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be in in a sec.”

After shooting Kelly a saucy wink, Jacinta’s face disappeared behind the door.