Page 33 of Novel Problems

Josie smiled and held out a hand. “Nice to meet you. Sorry it’s taken me so long to come back. I got struck down with the flu. But I’m fully recovered now,” she hastily added.

I made a note to warn Blake about the flu that seemed to be going around—first our delivery driver, then Ben, and now Josie.

“Great to meet you too,” I said as I shook her hand and grinned.

Things were looking up. Ben was back, I had anotherpotential employee, the mountain of boxes ofThe Realm of Furieswas gone, and I had a beautiful woman sleeping upstairs in my bed.Your spare bed, George. Don’t get too carried away.

Exhaustion crashedover me as I locked the front door to the café and made my way back upstairs to my apartment. A disrupted night’s sleep combined with a busy day on my feet had finally caught up with me. It’d been so hectic I’d had no time to process the events of the last twenty-four hours.

The spare bedroom door was open, so I cautiously peered in, unsure what the etiquette was in a situation like this. I hadn’t seen Hannah leave, and Max hadn’t greeted me at my front door, so I assumed they were both in there.

Warmth enveloped my body at the sight of Hannah. She was fast asleep under the covers, her dark hair strewn across the white pillow and Max snoring next to her. I carefully closed the door and tiptoed back down the hallway to the kitchen, where I started prepping dinner.

I’d just begun sautéing the onion and garlic when floorboards creaked, and I turned to find Hannah hovering awkwardly at the kitchen entrance.

She ran her hand through her mussed hair and then tried to smooth her baggy sweater. “Sorry I passed out like that. I should give you some space and get out of here. But thanks so much for letting me crash.” There was something very intimate about seeing Hannah slightly disheveled from sleep.

“Would you like to stay for dinner? I’m making tomato, basil, and burrata pasta.” I smiled at her.

“Oh thanks. But I’d better not.” Hannah’s voice lacked conviction. She walked slowly up to the kitchen counter.

My smile widened. “Seriously, it’s no problem. I made extra in case you wanted some.”

“It does smell amazing,” Hannah said, eyeing the pan with interest.

Banging the spoon on the pan to shake off some pasta, I turned to her. “Great. You’re staying, then. Would you like a glass of pinot to go with it?”

She grinned. “Yes, please.”

Thirty minutes later, Hannah let out a satisfied sigh and slumped back in the dining room chair, her plate empty. Pink had returned to her cheeks. “That was amazing. Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome,” I replied, really meaning it. I loved feeding people, and Hannah was no exception. I’d gotten a kick out of watching her devour the pasta as I filled her in on Josie’s reappearance, her books being picked up and a few of the more entertaining customer stories from today. As tired as I was, Hannah’s presence re-energized me.

Before I could stop her, Hannah had stacked my empty plate and cutlery on hers and taken them to the kitchen.

“Don’t worry about the dishes. I’ll do them later,” I said as I walked in and found Hannah already scrubbing the pan.

“It’s the least I can do. And then I’ll head home so you can have some time to yourself.”

Hannah seemed convinced that she was a burden when quite the opposite was true. Despite my exhaustion, I’d really been enjoying her company.H. M. Stuart’s company.God, it felt so weird even thinking that.

I grabbed a tea towel and started drying the dishes. Max, who’d wolfed down his dinner and been verydisappointed to discover that our meal was vegetarian, gently pawed at my leg. I looked down to see his big, brown eyes staring up at me. Guilt washed over me. I usually took him for a walk twice a day, but I’d missed this morning due to last night’s exploits. I definitely had to take him out tonight.

“I need to take Max for a walk. We could drop you off at your place on our way?” From the employment paperwork Hannah filled out, I knew she lived on Cherry Lane. I’d feel better knowing she’d gotten home safely.

“That would be great, if it’s not too much trouble,” Hannah replied.

We made quick work of the dishes and then headed out with Max.

A warm breeze and the evening sun hit us as we stepped outside.

“This weather is incredible,” Hannah said. “I always forget how much these longer, warmer days improve my mood.”

She looked so happy, her eyes bright as she took in our surroundings. My heart bounced. Even though I’d spent most of my waking hours with Hannah over the past four days, I didn’t want her to go home yet. An idea struck me. I grinned. “You know what also improves my mood?”

“What?”

“Ice cream.”

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