Page 104 of Lorenzo & Lily

Lorenzo nodded. “It’s still mostly locals, so it’s a good place to get the pulse of the people and the city. Some guidebook printed that I or my family stop by so you’ll find tourists in here, especially during the summer.”

“That asshole behind the bar own it?”

Lorenzo quirked an eyebrow and his lips twitched. “Yes, he does own it. For now, anyway.”

“For now?”

“Evening, um, Captain,” Millie said and curtsied briefly.

“Millie, I told you to forget protocol.”

Without looking at Hector, she transferred a mug of coffee and a plate with a mini fruit tart to the table in front of Hector, and gave a furtive glance to the bar. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“I think you’re afraid of more than that,” Hector muttered.

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes. “I understand, Millie.”

She nodded. “Anything for you, Captain?”

“Same as him. Thanks, Millie.”

She scribbled on her pad and turned, still not looking at Hector. “Sure thing. Be right back.”

Hector watched her again. “So, what’s up with the asshole?”

“I like this.”

He shifted his eyes to Lorenzo. “Like what?”

“It really does my heart good to see it.”

“See what?”

“You with Millie.

His body tensed, and his voice came out as a growl. “Captain.”

“It’s about time, too.”

“Captain.”

Lorenzo threw his head back and laughed. “Man, you don’t fucking realize how great this is?”

“What’s great? You fabricating a relationship between me and a woman I met ten minutes ago?”

Lorenzo shook his head. “No, man. Seeing you in the land of the living.”

He sucked in a breath. “Low.”

Lorenzo put both of his hands up in surrender. “I won’t say anything else, except that I’m really fucking happy about it. I missed you, my friend.”

He let out a breath. “I missed you, too, Low.”

Millie brought out a tart and coffee for Lorenzo and quickly dashed away. The buzz in the room had grown and Hector noticed the pub was now packed. Glancing around, he noticed only Millie working the floor, though there were three behind the bar. One should have been redeployed to the floor to help her.

“Don’t even try it.”

Hector shifted his thoughts and gaze back to Lorenzo. “Try what?”

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