Page 89 of Fortune's Control
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“It’s busy tonight,” Lilah observed as I opened the door to the Creekside Diner. “Half the town is in here.”
Half the town came to watch our practice. “It’s the pie.” I placed my hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the last remaining booth.
“Sam came by while I helped Aiden today,” she said as soon as I took the seat opposite her. Lilah fiddled with the ends of her cap, pulling at it before changing her mind. “Manners say we shouldn’t wear hats indoors, but I’m stuck.”
“Did you put glue in it by mistake?”
“I have hat head, and there’s no way anyone can be allowed to see it.”
“That’s never been a problem for me. Hell, I don’t even get haircuts. Once it gets long, I hack at it with a knife.” I demonstrated with the table’s butter knife.
Lilah covered her mouth as her sweet laugh faded to a sigh. “I….”
“You what?”
“I find you funny.”
“You’re the first person to say so.” I expected her to saysomething else. “So, tell me about Sam coming by. What did he want?” I took one of her hands in mine to admire the rose-pink nail polish.
“Sophie will be at the presentation next week, and he reminded me I’m going with.”
“To Tallahassee?” I leaned back, considering. Sam asking her to come along wasn’t a surprise, especially considering my suggestion, and I couldn’t find a reason to argue against it. “You’ll do a fantastic job. Fortune’s Creek is lucky to have you.”
“If the grant comes through, I volunteered to manage the financial portion.”
“Did you now?” Sam had better hurry and extend that offer.
“I also looked up how to become a CPA here in Florida.”
“Does that involve tax tables?”
“You laugh, but those are the best tables.” Lilah bit her lower lip as her cheeks pinkened.
Josie approached, interrupting our conversation. “You two ready to order? Will it be the usual or tonight’s special? We have shrimp fresh from Mayport.”
“Can I get those in a salad?” Lilah asked.
“Honey, you can get them however you want.” Josie pulled the pen behind her ear and started writing. “Garden salad drowning in baked shrimp.”
“I’ll stick with the usual,” I said.
Josie tsked her disapproval and left.
“What does it take to become a CPA? Is that a license?”
Her blush deepened. “I need to pass tests. They’re difficult, and it might take a while.”
A state-specific license implied a lot of time. Plus, a volunteer suggestion to Sam. The longer Lilah stayed here, the more invisible strings I attached to her. Enough of them, and she couldn’t leave. “If that’s what you want, go for it.”
“I’m still thinking about it.” Her lips tightened. “You were wonderful with the kids today.”
“Waiting to start next season wasa mistake.”
“Now you sound like me.”
“Maybe so.” My phone sat in my pocket with Dean’s text message still unread. We needed to discuss it, but not at the expense of our meal or her positive news. Lilah deserved another evening’s respite from her problems. Instead, I took her hand in mine to kiss her palm. “You grow more beautiful every time I see you.”
