Page 74 of Novel Problems

“Oh!” Mom watched her silently for a moment. “Well, I guess I’d better deliver this to Mr. Jackson, and then you can properly introduce us.”

I handed over the triple-shot caramel latte, and Hannahcame around behind the counter, balancing a stack of plates and coffee cups, still smiling and her eyes glowing.Screw being professional.

I walked toward her, grabbed the plates, put them on the counter, and then wrapped my arms around her waist. I kissed her, closing my eyes and reveling in her soft lips and her familiar scent.Damn, I’d missed this.

Before I got too carried away, I pulled back, opening my eyes and looking intently at her. “What are you doing back early? I thought you were going to be at least another day. Is everything okay?”

“I saw Ben’s Instagram post from Fire Island. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me he was away this week. How have you coped?”

I grinned. “I found another staff member.”

“You did?” Hannah’s eyes widened.

“Hannah, meet the newest staff member of Novel Gossip: my mom, Helen.” I pulled away and gently turned Hannah around as Mom walked back behind the counter.

Hannah froze for a moment before stepping forward and enveloping Mom in a warm embrace. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived and you’ve been roped into working.”

Mom raised her eyebrows as she looked at me over Hannah’s shoulder and tentatively placed her arms around Hannah. After a few moments, she took a step back and looked at her. “Well, you’re here now,” she said with a half-smile. “And, you know, I actually don’t mind working here at all.”

“Yeah, it’s not too bad. Although, the boss is a real taskmaster,” Hannah responded, her eyes twinkling as she turned to look at me.

Mom laughed, and I breathed out, relieved that their initial interaction seemed to be going smoothly.

“She’s already made friends with all the regulars and has been invited out on a date by Rory Goldsworthy!” I said, excited to finally share the latter with Hannah.

“What?!” Hannah’s eyebrows leaped up.

“Don’t worry. I turned him down,” Mom assured her.

Hannah let out a peal of laughter. Our eyes connected, and all I wanted to do was lift her into my arms and carry her up the staircase and into the privacy of my apartment in a fit of Herculean strength I definitely didn’t have.

A cough brought me back down to earth. I turned to find a line had formed in front of the counter. Hannah jumped into action, taking orders and processing payments behind the counter while I made the coffees, and Mom and Josie ferried food out from the kitchen and took orders from customers at tables.

“George, is this what I think it is?” Hannah asked behind me.

I turned from the counter to find her beaming at me, holding a plate of beef Wellington, Dauphinoise Potatoes and green beans that she’d just picked up from the kitchen.

I grinned. “Yes. Romina made it as a special on Tuesday, but it’s been so popular I’m planning to add it to the menu.” I didn’t mention that it had been a special I’d asked Romina to make for Hannah to celebrateThe Realm of Furiesrelease.

“Oh my god!” Hannah exclaimed.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already asked Romina to make sure there is one set aside for you for lunch.”

“You are the best, George O’Grady,” Hannah murmured in my ear, surreptitiously placing her hand onmy butt and giving it a squeeze as she walked past me to deliver the food.

With the four of us working, everything ran like a well-oiled machine. After the lunch rush was over, I waylaid Mom, who was carrying plates back to the kitchen. “Mom, why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off and relax? You’re on vacation, after all.”

“No, no. I’m happy to stay and help,” Mom protested.

Hannah, standing nearby, turned. “Why don’t both of you finish up early so you can spend some quality time with each other? Josie and I will manage fine without you.”

Part of me didn’t want to leave Hannah, but I also wanted to make sure Mom enjoyed her stay here, and so far, all she’d really done was work and help me cook. It would be nice to take her for a walk down Main Street, go to the antique store she loved, and perhaps grab an ice cream from the creamery and walk along the waterfront. Mom’s face brightened at Hannah’s suggestion, making the decision easier.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

Hannah nodded emphatically. “Positive. Go on! Go and have some fun! You two deserve a break after the last few days.”

Momand I had a lovely afternoon doing all the things I’d planned, although I couldn’t help feeling guilty that I was itching to get home and see Hannah again the entire time we were out. By the time we returned to Novel Gossip, Josie had left, and Hannah had almost finished mopping, her hair falling over her face as she scrubbed astubborn mark in front of the counter.How the hell does she even manage to make mopping hot?

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