Know Me Well (Wishful 3) - Page 81
“Yep.”
“Good. Because I’m in a mood to take all your money.”
Mitch’s grin spread slow. “You can try, brother. You can try.”
Chapter 15
“Well, this is a surprise.” Cassie Callister greeted Riley from her post behind the counter at The Daily Grind. “Not your usual routine.”
“I’ve been kicked out for demolition. We closed for the rest of today, all the way through noon on Monday. Molly’s been enduring the noise so I can work on a presentation. I’ve been up to my eyeballs in that all afternoon, so I figured I’d come here for a bit of pick me up.” It felt good to be out of a chair.
“We aim to deliver. What can I get you?”
“A large General Burke for me, a chai tea for Molly with extra cinnamon, and a cold brew with cream and sugar for Liam.”
Cassie bustled to put together her order.
It felt patently weird to be not at the pharmacy on a workday. She’d eaten, breathed, and practically slept there since she bought the place last year, worrying, nurturing, and doing everything in her power to make the business thrive. Was this what single parentho
od felt like? This was a rough patch, no question. Maybe the business was hitting its terrible twos early. But she’d get through it, somehow. And she’d start by landing Peyton Consolidated as a client.
Cassie slid the drinks into a cardboard caddy. “You look happy.”
Riley blinked. “Do I normally look sad?”
“No, not at all. You’ve just been working so hard since you bought the pharmacy, you’ve been kind of perpetually on edge.” Cassie leaned her hip against the counter. “I know what that’s like. The first year after I bought this place, I swear my wares were the only thing keeping me going.”
“You’ve certainly been keeping me going.”
“And we appreciate your continued patronage.” Cassie grinned. “But anyway, I just mean you’ve got a glow. And I suspect a certain sexy Marine Sergeant has something to do with that.”
Riley chuckled. “He’s certainly a big part of it. But life in general is pretty great. Liam and I are in a good place right now. My mom’s in her own place, finally. Things are getting back on track with the pharmacy. The only thing that would make it better would be Wynne coming home. Since she’s firmly entrenched in New Orleans, I’ll take what I’ve got and be grateful.”
“Good. You deserve it. Which is the only reason I don’t hate you on principle for taking one of Wishful’s most eligible bachelors off the market.” Cassie winked.
“Thanks for that.” She laughed. Turning to head for the cream and sugar station, she almost mowed over Babette Wofford. “Whoops, sorry!”
“Not a problem, dearie. I just finished my weekly Skype session with Delilah and was in the mood for a pastry. How’s your mama settling in?”
“Just fine. She’s all unpacked. The apartment really is perfect for her.”
“As soon as he saw it, Liam said it would be.”
Riley cocked her head. “Liam?”
“When he heard my tenant had skipped, he wanted to see it.”
Liam had been the one to find her mom’s apartment?
“I’m just glad it all worked out,” Mrs. Wofford continued.
“Oh, did you have a lot of interest in the place?”
“No, it never made it to being formally advertised. With the extra security deposit and the first and last months’ rent required up front, I wasn’t sure Sharilyn would be able to manage. But that big sweetheart of yours took care of it.” She beamed.
Riley felt her jaw tighten and had to fight not to growl. “Did he now?”
“He didn’t want to risk the place going to someone else since it was so ideal, so he fronted the money. I like having an older, more responsible tenant there anyway, so it was a win-win for everybody. I tell you, that man’s a real keeper.”
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