Page 103 of Lorenzo & Lily

He knew now.

She paused a beat, then nodded, seeming to accept him at his word. “Okay. So, what can I get you? We’ve got some two for one happy hour specials.”

Alcohol would mess with his meds, so he went for something simple. “Just coffee.”

“Cream and sugar?”

He shook his head. “Black. And a menu.”

“Dinner menu or happy hour menu?”

“Dessert menu.”

Her lips tipped up and his body locked. Just a half-smile lit up her face. He wondered what she’d look like if she smiled flat out; the effect would probably blind him.

“We don’t have a dessert menu, per se. We have some cakes and things from the bakery down the road.”

Had he passed it on the way the pub? “I don’t recall a bakery nearby.”

“Yeah, it’s just around the corner. Real famous. We’ve got pastries, pies, chocolate cake, cheesecake, tartes–”

“Tarte’s fine. Whatever kind you’ve got.”

She scribbled something on her order pad. “Will do. We’re short-staffed so it’ll take a few minutes, but I’ll be back.”

As she turned to leave, he grasped her wrist. Her skin was so soft. “Just a second. Your name’s Millie?”

She looked down at his hand and he let go. She hugged her serving tray to her chest. “It’s a nickname,” she muttered.

“What’s your real name?”

“I’ll get your order.”

His voice was steady and soft. “What’s your name?”

“Amelia.”

She had a gorgeous name like Amelia yet went by Millie? There was nothing wrong with the name Millie, but it was almost like she was hiding behind her name, just like she was trying to hide her beauty behind baggy clothes.

“Amelia, I’m Hector Perez.” He held out his hand. “Good to meet you.”

She looked dumbfounded at his hand for a moment, then shook it. As soon as their skin touched again, he felt a warmth spread through him. It was the kind of warmth you had after a long time of feeling cold.

He hadn’t realized he’d been cold.

She slipped her hand out of his. “Good to meet you, too. Um, any friend of the Captain’s is welcome here. I’ll get your order in.”

He watched her walk away again and barely noticed that Lorenzo had entered and was walking towards him, waving to a few people as he did. Clearly, he was a regular here.

“Captain.” Hector started to slide out.

Lorenzo held up his hand. “Please don’t get up. I know these booths are a bitch.” He squeezed into the other side.

“Thanks for meeting me. I know it’s a crazy time for you.”

“Strike’s been averted, and we managed to get a raise for union members which should help prevent a future strike, too. There are new union leaders, though it will take time for everything there to settle down. My girls are safe. Alex is safe, as are all my family. I forgave my parents and brother, and I’m working on forgetting what they did to me. I’m healing.” He pointed to his arm, where Hector knew a bullet had struck him. “Things are finally calming down, so it’s not that crazy. Besides, I asked you out for a beer. I always keep my promises.”

That he did. “Why’d you choose this place? You a regular?”

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