Page 69 of Resisting the Grump

“What can I get you today?”

“I’ll have an ice coffee to match my cold, neglected heart.”

She almost smiled.

“And…” I leaned back and scanned the lit-up dessert case from top to bottom. “Can you do a medley of croissants for me?”

“Sure,” she said. “How many would you like?”

“Two dozen.”

“What do you need two dozen croissants for?” Avery asked, appearing in the doorway donning a frilly half apron that made my imagination run wild.

“Stalking burns a lot of calories.”

She clenched her jaw and went to make my coffee.

I could tell by her brewing stance that she was boiling.

“Cash or—”

I handed Grace my card.

“Do you realize that if we knocked down the north wall, we could turn it into a huge bathroom with a jacuzzi tub and a steam shower?”

She didn’t turn around.

Grace handed my card back and started assembling a thin cardboard box. “Looks like I’m going to have to call for backup.”

One of Grace’s eyebrows quirked, but Avery dug in the ice tray and continued to feign disinterest.

“Excuse me, ladies.” I took a few steps towards the corner. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

Eight sets of eyes looked up at me. Sixteen if you counted the specs.

“I’m crazy about this woman.” I gestured towards Avery.

She looked towards the women, who watched the color drain from her face.

“And I made a mistake—”

“Whadya do?” one of them blurted.

Oh shit. They’d gone rogue. “I lied to her about where I lived.”

“Why would you go and do a thing like that?” the woman asked, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair.

I looked at Avery, whose hands had found her hips.

She cocked her head like she thought it was a fair question.

“I didn’t want her to judge me.”

“That’s ridiculous,” one of the ladies said, lifting her cane four inches off the ground for emphasis. “Either she loves you for who you are, or she doesn’t, and either way, it doesn’t matter where you live.”

“I know, but it doesn’t change the fact that I messed up.”

They all nodded, like they found this easy to believe.

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