She nodded, looking embarrassed but relieved.
King pulled out his wallet and cleared his throat. Carli took the hint and rang us up, since apparently Cassi had a little hero worship going on of King in proxy of his gran. I promised the ladies I’d see them soon, hopefully with Rosie, and we made our way out of the store.
“They’re nice,” he said as soon as the door closed behind us.
“They’re the best. Isn’t it weird that?—”
He covered my mouth with his hand. “We’re not talking about my grandparents or anything else today. No way, no how. My mind needs a breather.”
When I licked his palm, he pulled back with a yelp. “Gross, Sky.” Then he wiped his palm on my cheek, making me giggle.
Shaking my head, I linked my arm with his, and carrying our coffee, we headed toward The Daily Knead for a pastry. As soon as we got inside—even though there was only one other customer and Sonny was waiting on them already—I pulled a number.
“Don’t want to lose my place in line.”
King snickered. “How many times did you get booted to the end?”
I scowled. “A few.”
“A few times this week,” Sonny said, butting into our conversation. “This kid’s always slipping in for a gluten fix but forgets the rules.”
Wrinkling my nose, I said, “Your rules don’t make sense.”
King wrapped his hand around my neck. “I only had to lose my spot once, and I never forgot to pull a number again. You have to respect the process.”
Sonny tipped his chin up toward King with approval. “That’s why I always liked you. Good sense.” Then he glared at me.
“What?” I asked, looking down at the floor to make sure I hadn’t spilled coffee or something.
King bent down and whispered in my ear. “He called your number.”
“When?” I asked.
Sonny shook his head. “Kids today. Never listen.” He called a number again, which of course it was mine, because hello…no one else was in here.
King ordered a bagel with cream cheese, and I asked for a Danish. As Sonny went to fill our order, I mumbled, “He’s cranky.”
King pulled me into a loose hug, laughing. “Nope. He’s just Sonny. Gran said he was even like that as a teenager.”
Hmph. I didn’t doubt that one bit. Then, as King paid, I noticed the wink Sonny shot him. As soon as we were out the door, I asked, “Am I being punked?”
King tilted his head and looked down at me like he was confused. “What do you mean?”
“You know, like, does Sonny only do that to me because I’m new in town?”
“Good grief. City boy really thinks he’s something special, don’t he?” a vaguely familiar voice asked.
King turned, and I saw the two teenage boys I’d met—Craig and Theo—coming our direction. I couldn’t decide if theodd stride they had going was supposed to be them ambling or strutting, but either way, it was cute. Being young and still finding yourself was no joke.
I stuck out my tongue at Craig since it had been him running his mouth. “I’ll have you know, I don’t think anything of the kind. It’s just Sonny’s…”
Theo shrugged. “Sonny’s Sonny. Mom says there isn’t a lot you can do about him.”
Craig and King both nodded. Okay, so, the guy really was just weird. So why had he winked at King? My boyfriend? Soulmate? Ugh, I needed to ask him. His eyes twinkled, and I had a feeling he knew I’d caught the wink, and it was driving me crazy.
“You need anything yet?” Craig asked me. “I’ve almost got enough for a set of wheels.”
Theo put his hand in the air like this was school and not a sidewalk on the main strip in town. “I’d be willing to do stuff for free out at Willowhope Manor, if they need it.”
