Page 54 of Breaking Point

“Hurry up, Princess,” I call, but I slow my pace.

“Still up, Ricky?” she asks as we near.

I hear him rustling around before the tent flap opens and he comes hobbling out.

“You are a sight for sore eyes. Where ya been?”

“Oh, ya know,” she says before his eyes find me and he frowns.

“I see you brought your friend with you.”

“I did, but I’m on a mission of sorts, Ricky. Need your help.”

“Come on now.” He brings out two buckets, throwing them down like seats for us. “What is it?”

“This man-“ she motions toward the boxes I’m holding. “...is indifferent toward croissants and tonight… we’re going to change his mind.”

“Hell yeah. I can get behind that.”

They make a show of flipping open the boxes and tearing the sides into makeshift plates. The smell of butter and garlicinvades my nose, and my stomach growls. They evenly distribute the flavors amongst us.

“Thank you,” I say, still weary of the man sitting across from me. He watches me, licking his lips. I take a quick bite, but when the flaky layers hit my mouth, I can’t help but take another.

“Well?” Ricky prods.

Olivia’s smile is all satisfied. Like she knows it’s so fucking good.

Ricky digs in, and for a few minutes, we’re all just scarfing down food like our lives depend on it. And when I’m done, I wipe my mouth with my hand. “It’s alright.”

“Alright?!” Ricky shrills. “That’s the best damn croissant you’ve ever put in your mouth!”

Olivia bursts out laughing. “He knows. He’s just too stern to admit it.”

“I said it’s alright,” I counter, and her eyes glimmer with another smile.

“I’ll get better than that one of these days.”

It’s a promise, and the longer I look at her, I realize just how determined she is. My eyes flit between the both of them, and when I find Ricky eying me, I raise a brow. I want to know his story- and if he were anyone else, I would by now.

I lift my chin. “How exactly did you two meet?”

Ricky’s nostrils flare, and he glances at her with a look that saysDo I really have to answer this guy?

Olivia nods.

“I met Ms. Livia a couple of years back. I was in a bad place, barely holdin’ my head above water, and she… she was kind to me. Only person who was.”

The information isn’t surprising. In fact, it only confirms the creeping suspicion I have that Olivia Hughes isnice.

One glance at her and I can spy the watery sheen of her eyes. “I wish the last few years weren’t so hard.”

“Part my own fault. I made some bad choices once upon a time. But I did my time.” Ricky nods. “Ms. Livia gave me a place to stay when I needed it. Still takes care of me. ‘N I do my best to do the same.”

I gotta give the man credit. Most people wouldn’t be honest about serving a sentence.

“You’re gonna make me cry,” Olivia swipes the unshed tears from her eyes, and my stomach bottoms out. The very thought of her crying makes me want to hit something. “Shit, sorry. I did not want to cry tonight. This week’s been a lot… and it’s late.”

“Ms. Livia, if I didn’t smell like a wet dog, I’d hug ya right now. But even I know I don’t smell nice.” When I casually roll my neck, he glances at me again. “Besides, he’d probably shoot me where I stand.”

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