“If you’d rather just eat alone, I won’t be offended.” Livvy waited before sitting down again.
Sad brown eyes surveyed the room. “The company is kinda nice, but I don’t want to keep you from anything.”
“You aren’t. Let me ring up that couple, and I’ll be back.”
He tapped her hand before she stepped away. “Thank you.”
Washing her hands was a requirement of the job, but now she didn’t want to. “My pleasure.”
The couple, who decided to share their weekend itinerary, kept her at the counter for ten minutes or more. Livvy maintained politeness even though she wanted to be chatting with Tanner.
As soon as the door closed, she rushed back to the table.
“You always so nice to people?” He ran a piece of chicken fried steak through the white gravy.
“The truth? No.” She put her finger to her lips. “But let that be our secret.”
“Deal.” He flashed a genuine smile. “So, tell me about the interesting people you’ve met.” He mixed his hash browns with the leftover gravy.
While he’d given her the perfect opportunity to tell him about Angela, Livvy couldn’t do it. It would wipe the smile from his face, and she couldn’t do it. “Mr. Thorn comes in every Monday night. He is aptly named. He brings a thermometer to make sure his coffee is hot enough.”
“Oh boy. That doesn’t sound fun.”
“Mostly, I think he’s lonely and misses his wife. She used to come in with him, and he was much nicer then.”
“Did she . . . uh . . .?”
“She died about a year ago. Her name was Rose.”
“Rose Thorn?”
Livvy crossed her heart. “No joke.” She took a long sip of tea, trying to think of anyone else that would qualify as interesting. “Once I had a woman show up and sit in that booth until closing. She was here for hours.”
“Did you keep her company?”
“No, got the sense she didn’t want to talk. I just kept topping off her coffee.” Livvy realized that the people she found interesting didn’t sound quite so interesting when she talked about them. “Tell me about you.”
He pushed his plate to the side. “I work for my grandfather. I’m guessing he and the widowed Mr. Thorn would get along quite well.” Dragging his fingers through his hair, he sighed. “I love him, but when he sets his mind on something it’s almost impossible to tell him no. And I need to figure out how to do that.”
“I’m sure he’ll still love you.”
Tanner wrinkled his nose. “That makes one of us.”
“Need pie?”
“Sure. Bring me two slices of lemon meringue.”
“Will do.”
When Livvy carried the pie and coffee to the table, Tanner pointed to the other bench. “Have a seat. The other slice is for you if you want it.”
“Thanks.” She never turned down a slice of lemon pie.
“Everything okay with you? You seem . . . different.”
Again, Livvy had the perfect opportunity to spill the story. Instead she filled her mouth with meringue and nodded.
Once they’d both finished their pie, Tanner glanced at the time. “I should go.”
“I’ll check you out up there.” She walked to the counter, trying to think of any way to extend the conversation. Wanting to be around him longer, she contemplated a crazy, stupid, risky idea. She couldn’t keep the ring all night. “I hope your night gets better.”
“Me too. I’m going to hide from the world for a while. That’ll help.”
“I hope so.” After ringing him up, Livvy untied her apron and poked her head into the kitchen. “Maxine, last customer is headed out.”
“Run along. I’ll close up.” Maxine always treated Livvy kindly.
She turned, surprised that Tanner hadn’t left.
He held out several bills. “For you. Thanks for the great service and the company.”
His tip was extravagant, twice what he left on a normal Friday night.
“This is too much.”
“Night, Livvy.”
“I enjoyed talking with you.” She appreciated the extra funds more than he would ever know. It was the little extra she needed to get a hotel room and truly sleep. But not until after she’d done what she should have done when he first came in.
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Author’s Note
Thank you for reading!
I hope you enjoyed Nellie & Coop’s story and will consider leaving a review.
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Also by Remi Carrington
Bluebonnets & Billionaires
* * *
Dating the Billionaire’s Granddaughter
Next Door to the Billionaire
Charmed by the Billionaire
Second Chance with the Billionaire
Surprised by the Billionaire
Cheesy Romance with the Billionaire
Designed for the Billionaire
Road Trip with the Billionaire
Books by Pamela Humphrey
Hill Country Secrets
* * *
Finding Claire
Finding Kate
Finding Treasure
The Chase
(a standalone spin-off with characters from the series)
Cheesecake, Margaritas, & Candlelight
* * *
Just You
Just Me
Other Books
* * *
The Blue Rebozo
Researching Ramirez:
On the Trail of the Jesus Ramirez Family
About the Author
Remi Carrington is a figment of Pamela Humphrey's imagination. She loves romance & chocolate, enjoys disappearing into a delicious book, and considers people-watching a sport. She was born in the pages of the novel Just You and then grew into an alter ego.
* * *
She writes sweet romance set in Texas. Her books are part of the Phrey Press imprint.
Dating the Billionaire's Granddaughter Page 14