e glanced up from behind the counter, brushing a smear of flour from her cheek. It was midmorning past the rush, too early
't expec
white button-down shirt, his hair a little too perfectly combed to be casual. He looked like he'd walked
er, her voice gentle. "Hey ther
ared at the trays of cookies with a gaze so
palms open like he was a stray kit
n't run. His eyes flicked to
asked. "You like
tiniest nod.
smiled. "Tell you what. You sit down over there, and
corner table and sat like someone used
lk, he was staring at the wall like he wasn't really seeing it. He blinke
're okay, hon
bite. Didn
d her arms, frowning.
m the back. "That sup
when she s
ago," Emery explained qui
ed. Concern sharpened h
hink
the bell over the door burst to
scanning the room. One spotted the boy and
muttered. "W
e walk
posture like he'd never been told no in his life. The
at the boy-who had frozen mid-bite-and then
my son?" he asked,
inked. "
s not
to be. He lo
nd of man who silenced boardrooms by walking in. "You think it's normal
er heart raced, but she refused to let her v
em. A threat. She felt her ski
ot teachers, not doctors. He hasn't spoken i
ch. But he looked like he needed
stepped forward. "Sir, we shoul
s son again-who, somehow, was finishing
to her: "What
ry V
have c
N
rri
yes. "That's none
he said. "To quit whatever you
l like a dr
on air. "I'm
reason. Either he felt safe, or he was d
y. "I run this bakery. With my best
revenue you're currently pulling. Your fri
. "Are you
joke abou
r a second. His eyes were big and
d somethi
me," she s
st. My son doesn't let people in.
and left, his guards movi
ery doo
nce
t happen?" Ni
ere, watching the b