“Really?”Her eyes lit up.“That would be awesome.”
“We could add one for the Sea Glass Cafe if you get your mother’s okay. I’d love to show you how to install it and set up the ordering.”
“Wow, that would be great. I’m going to know so much of this stuff. Maybe I can get some side jobs doing this techie work to help pay for college.”
“I bet you can. It’s a good skill set to learn. And I could give you a list of some good online classes that are available to help you learn. Maybe your high school could coordinate getting credit for them? Or even advanced college credits?”
“That would be fantastic.”Emily jumped up.“I’m going to go talk to Mom right now. I’m sure she’ll say yes. I really want to learn this. Thanks, Austin.”
Emily hurried away, and he sat back. A small smile tugged at his lips at his hopefully brilliant solution to helping out Livy. Maybe, just maybe, she’d accept help this way. She’d want Emily to learn the new skills, wouldn’t she?
Austin clearedup his work at his desk in his room. It was almost time for dinner and his stomach growled, reminding him how famished he was. He still held a self-satisfied feeling about suggesting Emily learn the ordering software.
A loud knock at the door echoed through the room. He crossed over and opened it, surprised to see Livy standing there, fire in her stormy blue eyes.
“Uh…come in?”He took a step back.
She strode into the room and whirled around to face him.“So…that’s how you work? You suggest you’ll teach my daughter something since I wouldn’t let you do that work for free? I told you that we just don’t have the money now for this online system and getting it installed and running. I don’t want your charity.”
“It’s not charity. I enjoy working with Emily. And I get the software at a discount. It’s reasonably priced. I thought Emily would like to learn a new skill. She’s a quick learner and I enjoy teaching her.”
“She came to the store with all these big plans and chattering about getting advanced college credit and…well…I’m not made of money. Things are tight. How am I going to get funds to keep the cafe running until it turns a profit and pay for college credits for Emily at the same time?”She sank onto a chair.“I’m just trying to survive. And do the best I can for my daughter.”
“Of course you are.”He sat in the chair across from her.“I didn’t mean to cause problems, and I should have spoken with you first. But I truly don’t mind showing her how to install the package. It isn’t hard. And she can then set up the items you want for online ordering. She’ll learn a new skill and you’ll have an ordering system.”
She stared at him for a moment. Stared hard. He could see the exact moment she started to waver.
“I am sorry, Livy. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“I guess that’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”She gave him a weak grin.
He gave her a wide one in return.“I thought it was actually a brilliant idea. Everyone gets what they want.”
Her mouth quirked up at one corner.“I admit, I’m not one for accepting help. I like to do things on my own.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”He sent her a fake incredulous look.
“Honestly, though. Thank you. I do appreciate this. Not only because it will help the cafe, but because Emily is so excited about everything you’ve been showing her.”
“I’ve enjoyed it. Honest.”He looked over at her.“So…you could repay me, though…”
“How’s that?”
“I’m starving and I’m tired of eating alone. Want to go grab something to eat? Doesn’t have to be a date. I know you don’t want that. But just dinner with a friend who is starving to death?”
Her eyes brimmed with amusement.“I could do that. Just to save him from certain death.”
“Perfect. Pick the place.”
“I haven’t had a chance to eat here in the dining room of The Cabot. Or are you tired of dining here since you’ve been here a few days?”
“No, that sounds great. Closer to the food.”He gave her another grin.“Let’s go.”
“Okay, just let me text Emily. She’s at a study group tonight but I’ll let her know it will be a bit before I’m home.”
She texted a message, then slipped the phone back into her pocket.“All set.”
They left his room and headed down to the dining room. All in all, he was pretty pleased with how his day was turning out.
