Page 29 of Clumsy in Love

“Geez. I’m so sorry.”

The food came and stopped all conversation. Holly drenched the pancakes in syrup and devoured each sweet bite. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” she said around a mouthful of eggs.

“I’ve known you all of five seconds and have never seen anyone pack away food like you do.”

“One of my many gifts.” She winked. “Are you always this judgy?”

“Not judging.” He shrugged. “Just observing.”

She sighed. “How are you not going to get in my way? Having you tag along is gonna really cramp my style. I understand why y’all think it’s necessary, but I can fend for myself.”

“Oh, really. So, what’s your plan if Edwardo shows up?”

“Well, I haven’t actually made a plan. I’m just saying…”

“Look. I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here. Let’s just make the best of it, okay?”

“Fine.” She finished breakfast with a final swig of coffee and waved a hand to get Edna’s attention.

“One check or two?” Edna yelled from where she stood at the bar.

Holly held up two fingers.

Edna approached and handed each of them a little green slip of handwritten paper. They simultaneously pulled out twenty-dollar bills and left them on the table.

“You want change?” Holly asked Cole.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Anyone over sixty doing this job deserves a big tip.”

“That’s exactly what I say.”

“Y’all have a great day. And don’t you worry, sugar. We’ll keep an eye out for this scoundrel after you. Call the sheriff right away if we see him.”

“Appreciate it, Edna. Thanks,” Cole said.

CHAPTER NINE

Cole debated paying for Holly’s breakfast. Or at least offering. Sure, it wasn’t a date—he was working, and her meals weren’t his responsibility—but he still felt like a schmuck letting her pull out her wallet.

On the way out of the diner, she tripped over the threshold, and he grabbed her just before she collided headfirst with the sidewalk.

“Thanks,” she muttered.

“Breakfast was so cheap,” Cole said.

“Now you understand why I can’t afford to hang around New York indefinitely?”

“Yeah. How ’bout from now on, we take turns buying? It’s awkward getting two bills.”

She studied him a second then shrugged. “Okay.”

They started toward the truck, but everyone and their dog—and he meant that literally, almost everyone was walking a dog—stopped to greet her or give condolences over her unfortunate wedding fiasco. She took it all in stride.

“We’re never going to make it to work if you keep talking to all these people.”

“This isn’t New York,” she said. “I can’t just put my head down and pretend they don’t exist. They’re all angling for information on whereyoucame from. Word will get around soon enough, and it won’t be so bad.”

“Harrumph.”

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