Pit Stop: Baby! (Crescent Cove 4)

I laughed. “I was wondering if you could make me another one of these.” I held up my cup. “Not sure what it is, but it’s glorious.”

“Sure.”

“And another of whatever you made for Rylee.”

She looked over her shoulder. “Sure about that, ace?”

“Maybe lighten up on the espresso part.” And while I was fairly sure she’d control herself, based on past experience with her there was a small chance she could aim for my head. No need to give her any more stimulants.

Unless it was of an organic nature.

“Your funeral.”

“Did you see our little fight too?”

She came back with two more to-go cups. “You’re new to Crescent Cove. And while I’ve only been here a few months, I can tell you one thing I’ve learned.” She set the cups in front of me. “Nothing stays a secret.”

I swapped two cups for a twenty. “I’m getting that.”

“Don’t piss off my friend. I have fake IDs and four different forms of solvent in my back room.”

I almost laughed, then it lodged in my throat. Not sure Macy was the joking kind. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Have a nice day.” Her smile was a little scary. Like she didn’

t do it much.

I took the cups and forced myself not to look back. Only the weak looked back at a predator.

I headed toward my car. I’d have walked it, but I had a feeling the lovely Kathy was taking me at my word with a huge floral arrangement. Good thing my credit card was ready for it.

I found a spot on the street near the floral shop, parked, grabbed our coffees and backed my way into the shop. Rylee was back at her station, her jaw set and her ear pods in to block out the world.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to press my luck any more today. Perhaps taking a little advice was prudent. I set her her coffee next to her and headed for the large arrangement. Pretty sure that one was mine.

“Mr. Kramer!”

“Gage, please.”

Kathy clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Gage. I hope Melissa loves the arrangement. I added a few flowers I know she loves.”

“Just a few, huh?”

She shrugged with a little giggle. “Yes, well, it’s not every day that her famous son comes home to visit.”

I glanced over at Rylee, but she resolutely worked her baskets and wouldn’t look at me. I was pretty sure she’d moved that same flower to five different spots, so she knew I was there.

I pulled out my wallet and handed over my credit card. “I’m sure my mother will love it.”

“I’m so pleased.” Kathy rushed around to the register and cashed me out. I resisted the urge to make Rylee talk to me. The urge to tease a smile out of her was a little too strong, but I tamped it down.

I did catch her looking when I backed my way out the door, arrangement in hand. She didn’t even attempt to help me. Even when Kathy bustled forward, admonishing her, Rylee barely batted an eye.

Damn, I liked her. A masochist, that was me.

I checked in at my folks’ pizza joint, but my mom wasn’t working tonight. Perfect. I’d actually be able to surprise her.

The drive to Laurel was familiar and soothing. I enjoyed my coffee, though I still didn’t know what was in it. Perhaps I should worry now that I knew of Macy’s murderous tendencies, but whatever was going on with the dark roast, I didn’t much care. It was the best coffee I’d ever had.