Page 68 of Stolen Kisses

"Yes, it came back this morning, thank goodness." She eyed Chase with interest. One thing Gran and Ms. Adams had in common was that they were both huge gossips. I was sure all our neighbors would find out about him soon enough. Not that I minded—I kind of wanted to brag about this sexy man.

"Do you need our help with anything?" Chase asked.

"Would you like to come in for coffee?"

Ms. Adams wasverysneaky.

"No, we actually need to leave. We just wanted to check that you're okay after the storm," I said.

She gave me a knowing smile. "I'm good, darling. But whenever you two are here, feel free to stop by for a coffee."

"Will do," I replied. “If you need anything, call me. Oh, wait. My phone died.”

Chase took his phone out. “Tell me your number, Ms. Adams.”

“Sure.” She rattled it off, and he immediately gave her a call.

“Now you have my number. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do.” Her smile was even wider than before.

I touched his arm. "Come on, Chase, let's go."

We turned around as she closed the door.

"She seems friendly," Chase said.

“She's a bit like a surrogate grandma for me ever since I lost mine. She keeps saying she's getting far too old to live here and that she wants to move into something much smaller. Shecouldn't find a buyer for her home, though. I once toyed with the idea of buying her place to live there and just rent out the inn, but—" I laughed nervously. "—I've got other things to worry about now."

On our way to his car, I explained to him where Fanny’s Diner was.

During the drive, I charged my phone. Ten minutes later, we parked in front of the main entrance. Fanny’s Diner was in a small building off Catalina Boulevard. There were two jacaranda trees behind the place, and both of them had tumbled, thankfully not on top of the building.

As far as I could see, Fanny had a full house. When Chase and I stepped inside, she turned around and smiled at me, then hurried toward us, a giant coffee pot in her right hand.

The place smelled like sugar and coffee. The sound of patrons talking and forks clanking against plates filled the air.

"Hannah, good morning. How is the inn? How—” She stopped abruptly, pressing her lips together, looking up and down at Chase. Fanny had known me for a long time. In contrast to Ms. Adams, she was far more subtle. “I’ve spoken to Ms. Adams,” Fanny said. “She insists nothing was damaged at her house.”

“We’ve been to her place. She’s fine.”

“And you?”

“Nothing I can’t fix.”

“Great. Why don't you two sit down? Pancakes on the house."

"No, we'll pay," Chase said.

Ah, damn it.I didn't have a chance to warn him.

Fanny pulled herself to her full height. "No, you won't, mister. Not in Point Loma. Not after a storm. Everyone's had a rough night. The least I can do is give them some pancakes on the house."

"Don't argue with her," I fake whispered to Chase, knowing Fanny was within earshot.

"You tell him," she said. "You two sit down there." She pointed to a table next to the window, then turned on her heels.

Chase and I sat down, and he looked around. "She's literally giving free food to everyone? How is she running a business?”

---