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“Thanks And you’re awful s I would’ve thought you ht be a bit more… worried”

Eddy, Betty, Elizabeth and Helen ate lunch here a few tih, not to ossip

Rafe shrugged, but he couldn’t hide the tension that showed around his eyes “Nothing I can do about what they’re up to All I have to do is not fall for any of their tricks

“That easy?”

He laughed nervously and slid out of the booth “I didn’t say that I just said it was all I had to do”

That pulled another laugh froroup of tourists stepped inside “Well, good luck to you, and be safe out there”

“You don’t have to say that every single time, Reese”

I looked up with a frown “Of course I do” It was terrifying being close friends with soerous job In a way, I pitied the woman who fell for Rafe “See you tomorrow”

He gave a casual wave, dropped an unnecessary tip on the table, and strolled out of my little restaurant with a smile plastered on his face That was Rafe in a nutshell, totally unaffected by people’s view of hio it was pretty ht about

These days, the only stress in my life was Reese’s Famous BBQ My very own barbecue joint, where I was responsible for the quality, the taste, and the way the business was run Whether it succeeded or failed was totally up to s, perfectly within my control

“Hey, Maven I’m back, so let me knohat you need”

The twenty-year-old part-ti ss, if you don’tthe counter?”

I nodded and itched spots The restaurant was small, only able to sit fifty-four people at full capacity, and that was perfect tolines and reservations, not when I had a steady stream of customers who loved my food

It was exactly what ht ood restaurant, and the rest of it was just accessories It was too bad her health and otten a kick out of working withthe perfect a another pinch of salt to everything, because she was convinced I skimped on the salt just to mess with her