Page 73 of Win Big

“I lived in my car for a while,” Tiana continues. “Then I found this place. I got medical help. Figured out what was wrong with me. And next month... I move into my own place. They helped me find a home.” Her voice breaks with emotion now too.

Wyatt squeezes her hand. “That’s fantastic.”

“It really is. This place saved my life. I finally had a roof over my head and a support system. Everyone here treats me with respect and dignity. They helped me rebuild my life.”

Emotion swells in me and I duck back into the kitchen to bring out the pot of soup.

Wyatt strides toward me to relieve me of the heavy pot. I show him where to put it. As he ladles up soup into bowls, he flashes his magnetic grin at everyone. There are people I know in the line and some I don’t, and I chat with all of them as I use tongs to lift sandwiches onto plates, Layla, next to me, is dealing with the salad.

“Thanks, Ev,” says Zion, a regular. “You’re a sweetheart.”

I smile at him. “Aw, get out.”

He laughs.

I catch Wyatt’s eye and he smiles.

My heart bumps.

Damn.

When everyone has eaten, I stay to help put away food and clean up so the place is ready for the volunteers who’ll come in shortly to start dinner prep. Nobody objects when Wyatt comes into the kitchen and scrubs some pots. I can’t believe he’s doing this.

Finally, I take my apron off. “Okay, we’re done,” I tell him.

“You know what? I’m starving.”

“Oh my God, me too. We didn’t even have time for breakfast.”

“Let’s go get some food.”

We head out to his vehicle. It’s warmed up a little outside, and inside his SUV it’s toasty from the sun.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“My place.”

“Oh. I guess we’re not exactly dressed for somewhere nice.”

“Well, that too. It just doesn’t feel right... to go somewhere and spend a bunch of money on food.”

I eye him. “I know.” I’m taken aback that he feels the same. He gets it. “We can go to my place, if you want. It’s closer, and I have food.”

“Okay, sure.” He pauses. “Now I know why you do that.”

I nod.

“When I was talking to Tiana, I damn near started bawling.”

I swallow hard. “I know. She’s amazing.”

“So are you.” He reached for my hand and squeezes. “Do you go there every Sunday?”

“Pretty much. I also, uh, help clean up the beach sometimes.”

“Like, you just go out and pick up garbage?”

“I meet up with a group who does it.”

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