Page 32 of The Moment They Can't Forget

“The front looks good,” Sawyer said, getting out. “We finished it two days ago.”

They’d put in two large windows on either side of the door, allowing anyone passing to look inside. Timber paneling ran along the top of the windows and down either side.

“It looks amazing,” Zoe said.

They walked inside and found Ryder pacing with his phone pressed to his ear. The place had been gutted. It comprised a large space down here and storage at the rear. Kitchens to the left. Up the stairs was more space. Ryder was going to put tables up there and open up one side to add a deck and external stairs so people could see down to the water.

He was so excited about the cafe and finally doing what he’d always wanted. This was his dream, and he was about to fulfill it. She loved that for him, even if it highlighted the fact she had no clue what direction her life was taking anymore.

“What’s that look for?” Ryder said to her as he finished the call and looked her way.

“No look,” Zoe said.

“Definitely a look.”

“I tried to pry what happened in Chicago out of her, and all she said was something did, but it wasn’t physical or criminal.”

She was then subjected to a hard look from both her brothers. Zoe yawned and wandered away. She knew how to handle them. It was just rich, handsome, arrogant men she struggled with.

“Did you bring food today, or shall I go next door and order pizza?” Sawyer said.

“I brought sweet stuff. Go get the pizza,” Ryder said.

“What sweet stuff?” Zoe asked.

“Donuts. I’m perfecting a new recipe.”

“I love that you have to bake heaps to perfect stuff,” she said, hunting for the container full of baking that was here somewhere.

Sawyer grunted, which was his standard response to most things, and left.

“So have you thought about the name? I came up with a few. Do you want to hear them?”

“No,” her brother said, wandering over to inspect a large unopened box.

“The first is Half Right and Left Cafe.”

“No.” Ryder ripped open the box and stared inside.

“Cast-Off Cafe, because it is Larry Limpet’s cast-off cafe.”

“My cafe is nobody’s castoff,” Ryder said, now bent at the waist and looking into the box.

“Star by Right Cafe?” Zoe said, still hunting for the baking.

The door opened, and she didn’t look, as it was likely her brother returning after ordering the pizza.

“Sheesh, girl, you’re hard to find!”

Zoe spun to face the door and the woman who now stood there.

“Lil?” She was moving in seconds. With a squeal, they hugged. “What are you doing here?”

A few inches shorter than Zoe, Lilith Harlow Miles made up for those inches with attitude. They’d become friends working at the same company in Chicago.

“I had vacation time I needed to take, and I missed you because you left so fast, and I want an explanation why.”

Sawyer wandered in to hear that comment and said, “Join the queue. I’m her brother and she hasn’t told me.”

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