Page 27 of Pieces of Heaven

Tommy considers my words before shrugging. “I think you’d be doing okay with a different location.”

“Maybe.”

“What kind of restaurant did you want?”

“That part of the dream changed over the years. Sometimes, I wanted homestyle cooking. Other times, I wanted a French restaurant. Once, I had it in my head to do one of those wonderfully eclectic restaurants with tiny bites.”

“Why even run a restaurant if you didn’t know what kind you wanted?”

“It’s what my parents did,” I admit and shrug. “At their peak, they owned a dozen thriving restaurants. My brother currently owns three successful places. My sister just sold her flagship restaurant and is opening two new places. It’s in my blood to run a restaurant.”

“So, you’re just doing it to do what others have done?”

His rough tone steals my confidence. “Yes, I guess. But it’s all I know how to do.”

“Why not open a restaurant here rather than a coffee shop?”

“After the issue with my inheritance, the coffee shop was the best I could afford. I think you’re right that I didn’t know what I wanted when I opened up the shop.”

“I don’t think I said that,” he says, finishing his half of the sandwich. No longer hungry, I hand my half to him. He frowns at the barely eaten sandwich before taking it. “I still think you could make the shop work.”

“I’m bleeding money.”

Tommy frowns. “So, you’d just pack up and leave town? That Vegas thing really is your plan?”

“I could probably get a job locally,” I say, only sipping my water in fear of needing to use the bathroom. “I honestly don’t know what I should do. I wasn’t ready for my dream to fall apart so quickly.”

Tommy doesn’t speak for the next few minutes. As he finishes his sandwich, I admire the black and gray ink on his tanned forearm. He’s so ruggedly handsome that no other man can compete. It’s why Francis’s interest no longer holds any power over me.

Shoving his trash into his pack, Tommy mutters, “I could be your business partner.”

I just stare at him since I have no idea how to respond. I’m always afraid I’ll say something insensitive and hurt his feelings.

Tommy is my favorite part of McMurdo Valley. When I don’t want to get up and face my disappointing life, I hear him calling out to me.

Right now, I don’t know how to react to his business partner suggestion. He’s the only reason I haven’t closed.

“Okay,” I agree, giving in to my selfish need to keep him with me.

“I’m not sure if we need to move the shop somewhere else or if we can get more business to come there.”

“I doubt I can afford any other locations. That’s why the realtor said Howling Prairie Road was my best option.”

“Money isn’t an issue.”

I don’t know what Tommy sees on my face. I suspect I’m staring at him in awe. I always feel like a lovestruck fool when he’s nearby.

“Darlin’, you do get how I’m not homeless, don’t you?”

Grinning, I only focus on the form of endearment he uses. The way the word rolls off his tongue leaves my heart racing. His blue eyes study my face as I smile at him.

Tommy’s sudden dark frown startles me. Before I can react, a smile warms his face.

“That’s right, you’ve got a crush,” he says, and I blush fire hot. “Don’t worry yourself over that. I think you’re real pretty, too. Can’t imagine I’d want to be business partners if you weren’t such a good-looking gal.”

My smile feels unhinged. I’ve lost control of myself. I was sinking into a dark place before this man walked into my shop. He’s only come around a few times, yet he already owns my every thought.

“If you’re not homeless, where do you live?” I ask, relieved to know he isn’t as down on his luck as I thought.

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