Page 40 of Puck Daddies
She leans in. “I saw the reviews. I flagged a bunch.”
“Thank you for that. We have the best customers in the world.”
As the rush thins, I head to the back and pull down the old file boxes. Aunt Bea labeled everything. I find a folder markedMenus 2012–2019.Another labeledEmployee Schedules.Another labeledBranding sketches.
Bex appears with a scanner from the office supply closet. “I’ll run these.”
“Thank you,” I say. I set up a folding table and start sorting. Menu PDFs printed with dates. First appearance of Queen Bee Latte. First appearance of Clover Honey Cold Brew. Schedules with Callie’s name and mine on opposite shifts. A note Aunt Bea wrote on a sticky:honey bear logo too cute; keep comb; no bear.I scan and upload. The link from Dana dings. I start dragging files into the folder.
The bell over the door rings. Luke walks in with the face he wears at ribbon cuttings. Sunglasses on his head. He sees me and smiles like he’s met a fan. He gets in line. He starts talking to the woman behind him about financing rates, like anyone cares.
He reaches the front and leans on the counter. “Meg. I hear you’re having a little legal trouble. I can fix that for you, you know.”
The people in line go quiet. Aqua moves closer to the register area without being obvious.
I keep my face blank. “We’re fine.”
He lowers his voice a notch. “Come on. It’s me. I have a legal team. I can make this go away.”
“You can go away. We’re not doing this, Luke.”
He laughs like I told a joke. “Let’s be civil. I’m trying to help.”
“You’re trying to take credit for offering help when you created the problem. That’s not the same thing.”
He glances at my staff. He leans in further. “Be smart, Meg. You don’t want a lawsuit. You don’t want to lose your little shop.”
“Back of the line,” a woman calls from behind him. “Some of us have to get to work.”
Luke turns and flashes the customer smile. “Sorry,” he says. Then he turns back and slides a black card onto the counter. “Use this, Meg. It’s for emergencies. Hire a good lawyer. You’ll need it.”
I look at the card. “Great,” I say, cheerful. I raise my voice. “Everyone in line—drinks are on Luke Addaway of Addaway Motors this morning. Enjoy.”
There’s a beat of silence, then the room breaks into happy noise. “Thank you!” “Nice!” “I’ll get a pastry too.”
Tom grins and starts moving drinks. Anthony says, “Next!” like he’s on a game show. Bex holds up the tip jar and people stuff bills in. Aqua backs up to manage the crowd flow.
Luke’s fake smile freezes. He keeps it on his face because he has to. If he contradicts me, the crowd will eat him alive. His reputation will suffer. He’s trapped, and he knows it.
He lifts a hand and waves to the room. “My pleasure,” he says, teeth tight.
I ring in the first ten orders and slide the card through. It runs. I signTHANKS, LUKEon the merchant copy. He watches my pen and pretends not to.
As the rush evens out, he leans in and lowers his voice again. “Play your games. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I smile right back. “Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Addaway. Next!”
He leaves, jaw set, still waving at people who thank him. The door shuts behind him. The sound level drops back to normal. Aqua exhales. “That was satisfying.”
“Charge every purchase for the next two hours on that card.” We keep moving until the line is gone.
Bex hands me the scans. “Dana’s link is loaded. There’s a courier walking in ten with a hard copy box. Also,Baltimore EatsDMed and asked if you want to comment on the reviews.”
“No comment. Reply with the charity numbers and Thursday’s event.”
Aqua wipes the counter and looks at the card still on the register. “You going to give that back?”
“Eventually. One more thing first.”
