“Did you read the sign?” Harlow asked, her voice rising.
Ava tried not to laugh, but the look on her new friend’s face was just priceless.
“I figured I could come and see Ava. I wanted to know if you’d like to go out to lunch?” Smokey asked.
“I can’t leave the shop.”
“Why not?” Both Smokey and Harlow asked.
She smiled. “Because this is still my shop and I still have to be here for the lunch rush.”
“You saw me handle it just fine yesterday. I can do this, Ava. Please, let me show you.”
Harlow was a hard worker. No doubt about it. She served beautifully. Her customers adored her.
“If you’re sure. I just figured you’d want more … practice.”
“No, I’ve got this. People love your food. Go and have some yourself. Hopefully, it will make you smile, unlike some people around here.”
Ava glanced at Smokey. She didn’t want to make a scene. “Would you like me to bring you anything back?”
“Sure. I’d like that. You know what I don’t eat,” Harlow said, winking at her. She stepped further into the room, putting herself away from Smokey. “Can I try one of these?” She pointed at the new chocolate chips.
“Sure.”
Harlow took one, and Ava waited, watching the woman take a bite.
“Oh, fuck me, that’s so good.”
Ava burst out laughing. “Really?”
“Yeah, you have got to sell these. Wow. Can I take another?”
“Yes. Put them in a basket as a taster, please,” she said.
“Why?”
“I want to see what other people think of them before I offer them up for sale.”
“You don’t need to do that. They’re that good, but I will do as you ask, boss.”
Ava nodded. She turned to grab her bag, but Smokey stopped her.
“I’m paying. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
She’d hoped to stall. For some imaginary problem to light up and cause some issues. Nothing.
She followed behind Smokey, leaving the sanctity of the bakery behind her.
He only had his bike and the idea of riding that thing would give her the perfect excuse to cut this lunch short.
Smokey didn’t go to the bike. He turned down the street and they headed toward the diner.
It was just before lunchtime, so as they arrived, there were plenty of seats to take. He waited for her to take a seat before he sat down.
She glanced around the diner. There were a few customers, but not many. She had no doubt it wouldn’t be long before it completely filled up and people were struggling to get seats.
“How have you been?” Smokey asked.
“Good. You?”
“Good.”
She reached out for the menu and started to glance over each item when she noticed Smokey was just watching her. “You’re not going to look?”
“I know what I want to order.”
“Oh, I haven’t been here that often. I tend to cook for myself. Do you know what’s good here?”
“I do. Do you want me to order for you?”
“Yes, please.” She’d scanned part of the menu, and it was like her mind had decided to not understand anything in front of her. The words were all clear. No problem there, it was everything else.
The waitress approached, carrying her notepad and pen, along with a big smile.
“Smokey, so good to see you here.”
“Hi, Olive. You okay?”
“I can’t complain. You know how it is. Busy man, busy life. What can I get you two?” Olive asked.
“We’ll take your burger house special with plenty of fries. Make sure to do one of your veggie burgers to go for Harlow. You know what she’s like.”
Olive wrote it down. “Coming right up. Harlow’s will be ready if you give me a five-minute warning of when you’re leaving.”
“Great,” Smokey said.
“I’ll be back.”
“Burger house specials?”
“They’re really good.”
Ava nodded. This was so awkward. She’d never felt this way when they’d been dating. She had no idea what the problem was.
“Please, don’t be nervous around me.”
Smokey’s hands were on the table. The tips of his fingers relaxed together.
“I’m fine. I’m a little surprised about your visit, but I’m fine.”
“Do you think if you keep saying that you might believe it?”
Ava chuckled. “Look, this is hard, and I’m trying.”
“I know.”
She put her hand on her stomach. “Harlow thinks our baby is going to be a cutie. She also thinks it might be a he.”
“Boy or girl, our baby is going to be a looker.”
“You think?”
“If they’re anything like their mother, then yes.”
“Smokey, don’t. I know I’m not a looker or anything. Please, don’t insult me like that.”
He reached out, taking her hand. She hated how nice that felt. His touch surrounding her, making her feel so many different emotions. None of them had anything to do with hate or shame.
She … missed him.
Damn it. She missed him so much.
Ava pulled her hand away.
“I know that asshole ex of yours did a number on you. What I said that … day. I lied. Everything I said about you was a lie.”