Page 65 of Bittersweet

“Eventually.” She hated it, in fact. But he was right. She wouldn’t be able to pay him the kind of wages he needed, which meant they would be separated for longer than either of them wanted.

“I love that you offered, Harper. I really do. And I want to say yes so bad. I want to be there with you, working side by side, like we always talked about. And if I was there with you right now, I’d give you the biggest hug … followed by the best kiss of your life.”

She couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

“Are you smiling?” he asked.

“Maybe.”

“It’s just … I have to find a way to make this work. On my own. And working at Sweets isn’t the answer.”

“Okay.” She got it. She did. And only he knew the state of his own finances. He had a child to think about, to feed and clothe and care for. Kayla was his top priority, no matter how much Harper wished she was at the top of his list.

“Kayla asked about you today.”

“Oh, she did?” That warmed her heart.

“Yeah, right in front of Naya.”

“No.”

Logan chuckled. “So Naya now thinks I tried to find a new mom for Kayla while she was away.”

“Oh my gosh.”

“Guilty,” he teased.

“Logan!” She loved the sound of his laughter in her ear.

“Hey, I got a call from the police this morning. They picked up a couple guys that were involved in the truck fire. One of them said they were paid to do it, but he wouldn’t say who hired them.”

“I hope they find whoever hired them, and they get the maximum sentence.”

“Me too.” His voice muffled as he spoke to someone in the background. “Kayla needs me. I really have to go now.”

“Okay, fine.” She stuck her lip out, even though he couldn’t see it.

“I can hear you pouting.”

“Busted.” She didn’t want to hang up yet.

“Call me tomorrow. I can’t go a day without hearing your voice.”

“Neither can I,” she replied.

“Bye.”

“Bye.” She wished he had told her he loved her or that he suddenly changed his mind and he was coming back to her. She wished he’d just abandon all his stubborn pride and accept the job she offered. They could work out the rest. She’d help him any way she could to get him to move back. Maybe she’d run some kind of special for a week or two with all the proceeds going toward the repair of the food truck.

Her mind turned that idea over and over as she worked, and that flicker of an idea became a flame—a bright, shining light to lead the way through the darkness of their situation. By the time she left the shop that day, the spark had turned into an all out bonfire.

26

On her way home from work the next day, Harper took a detour to the lot where Logan’s truck was parked. After their conversation the day before, the mention of his truck had piqued her curiosity.

She needed no help in finding the charred shell of a truck. Unbelievable. The logo was barely visible anymore. The windows were all broken out, headlights smashed, and tires slashed. She approached cautiously, peeking inside. The interior was completely black from the fire. It was impossible to see the stylish, put-together coffee truck that had been Bittersweet. Seeing the damage with her own eyes broke her heart. It would take a miracle to get it back into working condition. If that was even possible.

“Can I help you, miss?” A greasy looking grey-haired man approached.

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