Arms snaked around her waist as warm breath tickled her ear. She hadn’t heard Gavin come in, but she relaxed into his touch.
“What are you thinking about so hard over here?” he whispered, resting his chin on her shoulder—an incredible talent with their height difference.
She leaned back into him and let her eyes drift shut for a moment as she covered his arms with her hands. When he began humming against her ear, she smiled. “I don’t want this to end.”
Gavin tightened his hold on her before releasing enough to spin her around. His hand slid along her jaw. “It won’t.”
Lila didn’t have time to question him before his lips were on hers. He tasted sweet, as if he’d already been into the candy. She gripped the front of his shirt to pull him closer, but a throat cleared, and they broke apart.
Kaley bumped them to the side to put the ice cream in the glass case. Grinning, she said, “This is adorable, but don’t contaminate the food area.” She winked. “I could use some help.”
Gavin gave her a mock salute then followed to the freezer, leaving Lila to stare after him. She brought a hand to her lips. A small family trickled in as Gavin and Kaley brought out the rest of the ice cream, and Lila took their order.
“Why didn’t you wait for me this morning?” Gavin asked as they worked side by side.
She ignored Kaley’s raised brow and the flush rising in her own cheeks. “My parents were up when I was getting ready. I thought it’d be easier to just leave quickly than deal with them again.”
“How much trouble did you get into?” His voice lowered as he prepared a cone beside her.
Lila passed over a dish of vanilla ice cream to a mother while he handed the cone to a young girl. She laughed as the girl tried to put sprinkles on top. That was going to end horribly. The mother quickly grabbed her hand and helped.
“Lila?”
She shook her head. “Not much. With everything going on, it’s like they’re afraid to punish me. My dad looked like his head was going to explode from holding back. I could practically see the steam coming from his ears.”
Gavin chuckled. “Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure my mom would’ve killed me for him.”
Grimacing, she looked up at him. “Was it that bad?”
“No,” he said as they began serving another family. “She just wanted to make sure I didn’t corrupt her favorite child.”
Lila rolled her eyes. Mrs. Miller had always acted like a second mother. Just as her parents treated Gavin as their own. “I am not her favorite.”
“Of course not.” He smirked and sent a wink her way. The family took their ice cream to a table outside, and they had a brief moment of rest.
“I’m pretty sure if it weren’t for the surgery, my dad would have grounded me until I was like thirty. By the time I’m all healed up, it’ll almost be our birthday. And even then, I will have to go back regularly for a while to make sure it’s completely gone and nothing returns.”
He grinned, and her brow scrunched. It wasn’t exactly a happy conversation. She thought back through her words, trying to find the source of his smile. As he leaned in closer, he whispered, “Our birthday.”
She mirrored his happy glow, quickly brushing her lips against his. Kaley laughed behind them. “It’s about time.”
Lila looked to her in surprise, but she couldn’t keep from smiling. As much as she hated to admit it, Kaley could easily become a friend. They seemed to have a lot in common. Kaley was good at working the shop too, which made Lila glad she had stepped up to fill in immediately.
Kaley kept up with the increasing crowds well all day—Fridays were always busy. Streams of people flooded in, not slowing until dinner time.
Lila wiped at her head, lingering to rub her temple, as the last customer left.
“Are you okay?” Kaley asked.
She started to nod, but before she could say anything, a hand covered hers. Gavin looked deep into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine,” she said, shrugging.
“What’s going on?” Kaley moved closer, concern etched in her features.
“I’m fine,” Lila repeated. “It’s just a headache.”
“Do you need some Tylenol?”
“That would be great, thank you.” Lila smiled as the girl reached under the counter for her purse.
When she produced a small bottle of pills, Lila took two and thanked her again. Kaley grabbed a water for her. Gavin didn’t move as she took the medicine. He stood at her side with one hand on her back. As Kaley went to take an order at the window, he pulled Lila against his chest. She gratefully took his support, closing her eyes to hide away from the throbbing pain. Arms wrapped around her as he gently kissed the top of her head.
“Lila?” Mrs. Miller’s voice interrupted them.
Lila opened her eyes, trying to smile. “It’s just a headache. I’m fine, really.”
Mrs. Miller quickly approached and placed the back of her hand against Lila’s forehead. After a second, she nodded. “Why don’t you head home and get some rest?”
“Are you sure? It’s been really busy today.”
“Yes, go. We’ll be fine.” She turned to Kaley who watched them with open curiosity. “Can you drive her home? Gavin and I can take over here.”
Gavin’s arms tightened around her as Kaley said, “Of course.”
“I can take her,” he said.
Lila turned to face him more. “Kaley needs a break. She’s been covering all week.” When he refused to let go, she placed a hand over his heart. “I’ll
