“I love hearing that. Most of the time, people take things to go, so I don’t get the reaction.”

“Shortstop!”

Kenna’s voice rang out through the small store, and I stiffened. “I’m back here, but I have a customer.” I glanced at Max, blushing. “I’m so sorry. That’s one of my best friends, and her manners are just a bit lacking.” I sent a pointed stare in Kenna’s direction as she appeared.

Max stood, gathering the remains of his sandwich and his freshly cracked Coke. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get out of your hair. But do you need me to fill out any paperwork?”

“You can do it on your first day. How about tomorrow at noon?”

“I’ll be here. Thanks, Caelyn.”

I watched as Max made a hasty exit from the store and then I turned my glare on Kenna. “Seriously? You’re going to scare away my new employee now?”

She looked just the slightest bit sheepish. “Sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be back here.” I didn’t say a word, just kept my gaze leveled on Kenna. Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t give me that stern mom look. Do you remember all the times you and Bell came over to my place the past few months and gave me a hard time for not letting you in on what was going on in my life?”

“Um, I think that was more Bell than me, but sure.”

Kenna had kept us both in the dark one too many times as she tried to fight a past that had reared its ugly head. Her hands went to her hips. “Doesn’t that feel a little hypocritical now?”

Kenna let her words hang in the air, but it took me a minute to catch her meaning. My eyes widened. “How did you hear? Parker?”

“No.” She paused for a moment, making my brain spin in circles. “Griffin talked to Crosby and Ford.”

“Griffin? My Griffin?” I hated how much I wanted that little bit of ownership to be true.

Kenna’s brows rose. “Your Griffin?”

“You know what I mean. The Griffin that I’m friends with, not some other random Griffin running around.” My cheeks heated with every word. Why couldn’t I control my mouth when I got flustered? It was like it grew legs and ran away each and every time.

Kenna smirked. “Suuuuure. Anyway, he talked to the boys this morning and told them that someone left a threatening note on your car. Why wouldn’t you tell us what was going on?”

“I wasn’t not telling you.”

“The lack of incoming calls from your number says otherwise.”