Page 172 of From Rivals to I Do

He was still smiling as he got a new box, set it up on the counter, then got the next pizza out of the oven and put it in the box. He cut into the crust from the bottom, looked up at Camilla, and sliced the pizza.

"Thank you," she said. "That's not so hard, is it?"

"Not at all, boss," he said. Then, instead of walking around the counter as she had, he turned the box until the cut was lengthwise across the cheese and sauce, cutting from the bottom again. Then turned it until the new cuts formed an 'x' and cut it from the bottom one more time. "Pretty simple. Thanks."

She felt flustered as he closed the box and walked it over to the window. He smiled at her, and she could not help but notice his handsome face as he went back to making pizzas.

She found herself distracted by his presence. That day was the day that she usually spent most of the time in her office, balancing the books for the month. She tried to focus on the numbers, but her mind kept returning to the robbery. What happened? Why did he pick my restaurant?

She wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her. The thoughts buzzed in her mind. Did Abel have anything to do with the robbery? Why did he happen to show up when he did? Could this have been a planned conspiracy set up by Abel? After all, he was a felon. When she noticed him in the restaurant, away from his post in the kitchen, she'd come out to the front to give one of the cashiers change when she saw him and instantly saw red. Would it kill him to stay at his station? Should I trust him? Who is this guy? He looks familiar. Thoughts ran through Camilla's mind like a computer.

She headed over to talk to Abel and just asked him when she noticed he was talking to one of the regulars – an older woman she only knew as Mrs. Margaret. Mrs. Margaret used a walker, but she usually didn't need much assistance getting around the restaurant. Still, she usually asked Camilla for her help whenever possible.

Mrs. Margaret was preoccupied with Abel, talking to him as she slowly moved to the front door. Abel was holding a pizza in a box for her and following, keeping a casual pace with her as she moved. Finally, when she got to the door, he opened it and stood aside as she walked through. Then he carried the pizza to her car and helped her inside.

Camilla watched the entire exchange in silent amazement and a mix of emotions. He most certainly didn't have to do that. Most of the time, someone came and found her to help if Mrs. Margaret needed it. It never occurred to anyone to step up and help. Immediately, Camilla started to wonder if someone had just asked Abel to do it instead of coming to get her. That had to be it.

She turned to Steve, one of her cashiers, and asked, "Did you ask him to do that?"

Steve looked up at her with a blank look on his face. "I'm sorry?"

"Did you ask Abel to leave his post and help Mrs. Margaret?"

"No, he didn't." Abel was at the front desk, his eyes looking from Steve to Camilla humorlessly. "I happened to see her and thought she might need help. That is okay, right?"

Camilla stiffened as he looked back at her with that same crooked smirk. She noticed he had taken off his t-shirt and was now standing there in a sleeveless white t-shirt, his bare and muscular arms on display. She noted the tattoo on his bicep – a cartoon of Woodstock, the little yellow bird from the old peanuts cartoon.

"No," she said, "It's fine, just…let someone know next time."

"Of course."

"And put on a shirt, for crying out loud."

He shrugged. "Sorry. It gets hot back there."

She said something under her breath, and the front doorbell rang. She looked to see a woman walk in with a small boy on her hip, a large purse hanging from the opposite shoulder, and big brown eyes scanning the restaurant. It took Camilla a few seconds to register them before she realized who they were. She moved past Abel quickly.

"Lulu," she said as she confronted the woman. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, mommy!" the little boy said, waving his tiny hand at her. Camilla took him from Lulu, kissing him on the forehead.

"Hello, Charlie," she said brightly, then looked at Lulu with worried eyes. "What's going on? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," said Lulu. "The school called me because they couldn't reach you."

Camilla frowned, looking over Charlie for a moment. He did not look sick or hurt. "Did something happen?"

Lulu put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Girl, it is after three o'clock. You forgot to pick him up."

The realization hit her like ice water. She closed her eyes and palmed her forehead ashamedly. "Oh, my God…I completely forgot. I was busy training my new employee."

"New employee…?" Lulu glanced over her shoulder and spotted Abel still standing at the counter. She looked back at her, her eyes widening a little. "Is that him?"

Camilla flashed a warning at her silently. "Yes, and he's off limits. Trust me, okay?"

"Mommy, can I have some pizza?" asked Charlie.

"Sure, honey, go over and ask Steve at the counter to get you a slice."

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