So I stood at the back, doing my best to blend into the brick wall as I watched. I relished every second of her unguarded smile, because as soon as she spotted me, she’d be back on alert. She’d throw up her wall, just like she’d done last night when she’d spotted me outside of Mom’s music studio.
I’d lectured Terrell earlier about finding a balance, but damn if I wasn’t having a hell of a time finding one with Poppy. Was I pushing her too fast? Too hard? Not enough?
When I was around, she had a war raging inside her head. She’d look at me and I’d see that desire spark behind her eyes. But then she’d smother it, letting her face twist with guilt. I hated that look. I hated putting it on her face.
If I were a stronger man, I would have stayed away and given her time. But here I was, lurking at the back of her restaurant, so drawn to her that I’d barely blinked.
As if she knew I was thinking about her, Poppy’s eyes searched the restaurant. The second she spotted me, her body strung tight. She looked away, studying the counter for a moment as her shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath. But then she shocked me with a slow, gorgeous smile.
I was fucking doomed.
That smile—and the finger wave that went along with it—would have had me swaying on my feet if not for the brick wall at my back.
A customer snagged Poppy’s attention and I took a moment to get my heart rate under control. Three deep breaths and I was steady, striding across the restaurant.
“Is this seat taken?” I asked the elderly man at the counter.
“No,” he grunted.
“Thanks.” I slid into the stool, catching Poppy’s eye as she rang up her customer’s order. “Hey.”
“Hi. Give me one sec.”
“Take your time.” She went back to ringing up a customer’s order and I turned to the old man. “Mind if I snag a menu?”
He grunted again as he lifted one off the stack by the register and pushed it down the counter.
I scanned the menu, debating my options. Maybe one day I wouldn’t need a menu. Maybe I’d be around enough that I’d have all the choices memorized. And maybe one day I’d get a different greeting from Poppy. I’d be allowed behind the counter so I could tuck her into my side and kiss her hair as I said hello.
“Here’s hoping,” I mumbled.
“What was that?” the elderly man asked.
“Oh, uh, just hoping she’s got more of that mac ’n’ cheese.” Piss poor recovery, Cole. Piss poor. “Have you eaten here much?”
“Every day.” His chest puffed up as he made his declaration. “This is my seat.”
“An expert. Nice. Any recommendations?”
“Meh. Her potpies are all right.”
“All right?” Poppy stepped right in front of the old man and planted her hands on her hips. “Sheesh. Is that why you’ve had four of them today? Because they were just all right?”
The man glared up at Poppy as she scowled back. Was that what this guy did? He came into her restaurant and criticized her food all damn day? I opened my mouth to put this old geezer in his place—no one glared at Poppy—but the corner of her mouth twitched.
“Oh, stop.” She waved off his glare and smiled. “Randall James. Meet Cole Goodman.”
Randall turned to acknowledge me. He looked me up and down twice, each time his eyes lingering a bit on my gun.
I held out my hand first, and he shocked the shit out of me by actually taking it. “Nice to meet you, Randall.”
“Same.”
“Do you want some dinner?” Poppy asked me.
“Please. Surprise me, but don’t forget my dessert this time.”
“Last weekend I made up a new mixed berry pie in honor of the Fourth. I haven’t added them to the menu yet but they’re available. Do you want to try one of those or an apple pie?”
“What!” Randall nearly came off his stool before I could answer. “You said you ran out of those berry pie things earlier.”
“No, I said you ran out.” She pointed at his chest. “You know the rules. Five pies are all you get in a twenty-four-hour period.”
“I don’t know why I keep coming here and taking this crap.” Randall spun around on his stool. “I’m leaving. Don’t count on me coming back.”
His threat didn’t faze Poppy. “Don’t forget your coffee.” She turned and grabbed a to-go cup and filled it from the coffee pot on the back wall.
Randall grunted as he slipped on his cap and prepared his cane. Then he took the cup from Poppy’s hand and started shuffling toward the door.
“See you tomorrow,” Poppy called to his back.
Randall just shook his head and kept walking.
“Cheerful guy,” I teased.
Poppy laughed. “And you caught him on a good day. Yesterday he threatened to leave me a bad Yelp review because I wouldn’t make him six espressos. But he’ll be back tomorrow to keep me and Molly company.”
“Grouchy exterior, heart of gold?” I guessed.
“Exactly.” She smiled. “Hang tight, I’ll get your food. Do you want to sit up here or at a table?”
“Would you sit—”
“Poppy—” Molly came rushing out of the kitchen, interrupting my dinner invitation, but stopped when she spotted me. “Oh, hey, Cole. How are you?”
“Good.” I returned her smile. “Just getting dinner.”
“Perfect timing! Poppy was just going to take a dinner break too. You can keep each other company.”
I guess I didn’t need to ask Poppy to eat with me after all. Thanks, Molly.
“I never should have told you,” Poppy muttered.
Told her what?
“Are you going to eat with Cole?” Molly’s smile got wider as I looked between her and Poppy. “Yes or no, Poppy-bear?”
“Yes.”
“And tomorrow, are you going to take the morning off? Yes or no?”
Poppy’s teeth gritted. “Yes.”
“And are you going to let me hire another part-time worker so you don’t burn yourself out?”
“This is ridiculous.”
“Answer the question,” Molly pressed. “Yes or no? Are
