Page 14 of Destiny

I nod. “Yeah. Donny’s another story. But you have to see this from his angle, Brendan. He was a victim of—”

Brendan holds up a hand. “You don’t have to say it. I understand. And I understand that your family history is full of skeletons. I mean, whose isn’t?”

“Most families have skeletons in their closet, Brendan. But we have entiregraveyardsin ours.”

He doesn’t respond.

“I have to run. The lunch rush will be on us soon, and I’ve got some orders I need to fill.”

“I understand.” He grabs one of my gloved hands. “Can I see you tonight?”

“Of course. Are you off at the bar tonight?”

“Yes, ma’am, I am. And I would love to take you to dinner.”

“Sounds great. But you know I can’t be out late.”

“I know. I can make you dinner at my place.”

“That’s fine with me.” I smile. “I love your hamburgers.”

“Good thing. Because it’s about all I can make.”

“Would you rather come to my place for dinner?”

“No. I invitedyou, remember? I’m not going to invite myself over for dinner and make you cook for me.”

“I don’t mind, Brendan.”

“Actually… What if we go out?”

“Sure. Lorenzo’s sounds good.”

“I was thinking we go into the city. To a real restaurant.”

My cheeks warm again. “Sure. But that’s awfully expensive.”

“I can afford to take my girl out every once in a while,” he says. “Say yes.”

“All right. Yes.”

“Good. I have some things I want to talk to you about.”

“Like what things?”

“It can wait, Ava. I love you. Have a wonderful day.” He kisses my lips, and then without another word, he turns and walks out the bakery door. The bells cling.

I head back behind the counter.

I’ve heard of Fortnight—Grand Junction’s newest restaurant. Dale and Ashley have been here, as have Donny and Callie. Probably Brock and Rory also, though I don’t know. The wine list features many of my father’s and Dale’s wine’s.

But the prices…

Normally, they wouldn’t matter to a Steel. But I’m on my own, and Brendan is a bartender.

Still, he doesn’t seem bothered by the amounts. I’ll order something inexpensive. And by inexpensive I mean slightly less than fifty dollars.

“Would you like to order a bottle of wine?”

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