Page 77 of Redemption

His tall stride ate up steps, and he confidently grabbed her hand, leading them toward the coffee cup sign that dangled over the shop.

“The Perky Cup,” Ryder read the sign aloud. “That’s cute. Nice. Other than Seven, nice people inside, I assume. Or not?”

“Nice enough.” It was only Seven, and her outspokenness could scare outsiders.

“You’re tense because you don’t want to see anybody? Not just the Perky Cup people.” He gave her hand a squeeze.

“It’s fine. I’ve just been hiding,” she said as they stood in front of the coffee shop’s door. She rested her hand on the old, worn brass handle. “Thanks for coming with me, though. It’s nice to be with somebody I don’t have to explain anything to.”

His eyes seemed to understand, and he gave her a lift of his chin before she pulled the door open, oddly comforted by the familiar jingle of the doorbells. The cool air rushed over them, as did the strong smell of coffee and sugary pastries. The Perky Cup was decorated with eclectic, artsy placards and signs, mismatched tables that looked good together, and all of the mugs and plates also were intentionally unmatched. The entire shop was covered in bright, bold colors, and it had an energy Victoria had always appreciated.

When Seven’s mom first had her stroke, the coffee shop had been on the verge of closing. Seven turned it around.

“Hey—hey.” Seven bolted from the counter and nearly ripped Victoria from Ryder’s hold. “I didn’t know you were coming in.” Seven broke the hold, eyeing Ryder. “Or that you were bringing guests.”

“Just one guest,” Ryder offered, moving close to Seven.

Seven’s eyes went wide then wider. Yup, that was about the reaction Victoria expected of her friend.

“Well, hi, person from Australia.”

She loved Seven like a sister. She’d known her for her entire life, and this was exactly what Victoria could have predicted. Maybe she should have warned Ryder. But making him pause, mouth agape for a hair of a second, was worth it.

“Hiya, Victoria’s pink-and-blue-haired mate.” He extended his hand. “I’m Ryder Hall.”

He was the kind of hot that made people look over their shoulder when they thought he wasn’t looking, and when he opened his mouth and dropped in an Aussie accent, nobody could be held liable for what happened. Though Seven was barely liable for what normally happened on any given day.

“Oh, shit,” Seven whispered.

Add in Seven’s lack of the occasional verbal filter, and all Victoria could do was hang on and watch the show. “My best friend, Seven.”

Seven gave a sideways glance as she shook Ryder’s hand. “Do you think, perhaps, you left something out when we were making crucial life-altering decisions like hoagies or hugs?” Their hands dropped, and she smiled back at Ryder. “Welcome to the Perky Cup.”

“Thanks.”

“There will be further discussions about this one,” Seven made obvious head-tilting and eyebrow-waggling gestures at Ryder. “Over something stronger than coffee.” She turned back to him. “Until then, darlin’, what’ll it be?”

“Coffee, black, a muffin and butter on the side. What do you want, love?”

Seven’s pierced brow arched onLove.

“My usual.”

“Good.” Seven plastered a dramatic smile in place. “I was beginning to think everything I knew about you was questionable.”

“Nope.”

“I was going to go outside, and the sky would be green. The roads orange.”

“Dramatic, isn’t she?” Ryder winked.

“Seven?” Victoria rolled her eyes. “Never.”

“I don’t know. Victoria hiding a hot Australian model in her backpack or something is worth a little dramatics, don’t you think?”

“Well, hot model.” Ryder laughed, dipping his face to Victoria’s. “That sounds like it could work.”

“Oh, no. This is how she charms you.” Shaking her head, Victoria laughed as he pulled her in front of him.

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