Page 57 of Evidence of Secrets

Laura groaned. It added up to a lot of money. Too much to ask of her friends, even though they volunteered to help. It was more than even a grant from Claire could cover.

She hated to take less than what she needed just because it was offered. The end result would be the same. She’d lose the bistro.

As for Hank, he promised not even to volunteer cash. She was stubborn, but she had some pride. Losing the bistro would be disappointing, but she had culinary skills and could find a place to work. She was reminded of a quote by C.S. Lewis: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Yes, owning a bistro had been one dream. So was attending culinary school. She achieved both.

She could set another goal. Maybe she could teach cooking someplace, or maybe Chef Louis might hire her. She loved to cook, plain and simple. For that matter, she could start a food truck business or become an internet star with her own show. There was no downside in reaching for the stars.

Laura had what was important in life, a man who loved her and good friends who would stand by her no matter what she decided.

Bah. Enough thinking about the what-ifs. Laura was going to do everything she could to save the bistro until she couldn’t.

CHAPTERFORTY-TWO

Hank didn’t want to make a big deal about bringing Laura to his condo, so he waited until she healed to ask.

Actually, he was embarrassed that he hadn’t had her over earlier. After his confession and discussion with her, he felt awkward asking. If Laura thought anything of it, she said nothing. It would be nice to be in his king-size bed rather than Laura’s double bed. However, its size kept them closer.

He sensed Laura’s apartment, small as it was, was her comfort zone, so he hadn’t asked her before. She’d been at work for a week, and it was time.

“If I cook, will you come to my condo? It’s about time you came to my place.”

“Hmmm. If you bring me there, will you have to kill me?” she joked. They were naked in bed after an intense lovemaking session. Hank had just finished kissing every inch of her body. He couldn’t get enough of her. Laura was responsive and demanding in bed. He loved that and her.

“Ha ha. Why don’t I pick you up Sunday night after work, and you can stay as long as you want?”

Her eyes grew serious. “I’d love to. Although Tuesday is busy. I’ll have to leave early.”

“No problem. Have you hired a new pastry chef yet?” It had been a couple of months since she fired Rich.

Laura shook her head. “Little steps.”

Hank nodded. Now was not the time to get into Laura’s financials, but he had a plan to help. It required help from her friends and being a little sneaky but not lying or omitting details. He promised Laura never to do that again. He always kept his promises.

That she still didn’t have a car concerned him. The robbery concerned him. She didn’t have the money to make up for the loss. The police had nothing on the robber. They thought it was probably a random mugging. Hank hated she got hurt and wouldn’t stand by and watch her suffer if he could help.

* * *

“Oh,my God, Hank. This is beautiful,” Laura exclaimed as she did a three-sixty around his condo. They had just woken up. As he made coffee, Laura had looked around and, as he suspected, headed straight for the sliding glass doors and balcony.

Hank picked her up at the bistro as promised. They came back to his condo, fell into bed, and he never had time to show her around.

They were in luck because it was one of those perfect Florida days. Warm with a cool breeze, puffy white clouds on the horizon, birds flying overhead, and voices carried from the Riverwalk. He couldn’t have asked for more except to have her enjoy this for the rest of her life.

He handed her a cup of coffee and sat at the table. “I love it here. The balcony sold me on the building. Plus, being so close to Riverwalk.”

“I remember when I was living downstairs. I loved sitting outside, too.” She sipped her coffee and stared out at the water. “Thank you for bringing me here. It’ll be hard to leave so early tomorrow.”

Hank bit his lip. He wanted to tell her to stay, but that would put undue pressure on her right now.

“How about a bagel? Or eggs? Or something else?” he asked.

Laura jumped up. “I can make breakfast.”

He put his hand on her arm. “No. I promised to cook. You relax out here.”

“Hmmm. I was going to say we could cook together, but I’m taking you up on your offer. Eggs and bagel, please.”

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