I’ve been craving Doritos for six hours.
By the way Linc just found out he has a daughter.
Zoey mumbled around her waffle melting in her mouth. “All facts.”
“At least you gave me some heads-up. You’ve been pretty quiet since leaving the Blue Pirogue.”
“Just been busy trying to get this catering stuff going. And fighting with my insurance company.” Zoey forked another bite of breakfast. All true. Just not the full story. Should she tell her she was living with Linc?
Elisa put her phone in her pocket. “So, how is Linc? What’s his daughter like?”
“Both impossible questions to answer.” Zoey squinted at her friend. “Hey, do you have any milk you aren’t going to sell? Like, old milk?”
“I’m not giving you expired milk just because you’re on a budget.” Elisa reached into the mini-fridge under the counter and poured a cup. “I take it there’s been no further word on the claims check?”
“Nope.” And she was refusing to panic about it. Thankfully, there were brand new things to worry about instead—like her best friend becoming an insta-dad. “I’m sure I’ll hear something this week.”
“You can’t keep going like this, you know.” Elisa cocked one hip, her knowing gaze accessing Zoey.
She ignored it, shoveled another bite of waffle into her mouth. “I’m fine, really.”
“You should call your parents.”
“They’re evangelizing in a jungle.” Zoey rolled her eyes. “They don’t exactly have cell service or a way to send me money.” Not that they had much of that, themselves, living off church sponsors. Zoey wouldn’t take money from them even if they offered—it would feel too much like stealing from a ministry. Other people needed help more.
Elisa frowned. “I’m worried about you.”
“I promise I’m taken care of until the check comes. It’ll all be okay.” Though there was still the risk that Linc could ask her to leave now that Amelia was there. Maybe she didn’t have to worry about telling Elisa where she was staying, because she might not be staying there long after all. Somehow, last night’s porch convo hadn’t seemed the right time to bring that up.
Zoey poured the rest of the syrup on the plate, drowning her remaining waffle pieces and forcing brightness into her tone. Too bad she couldn’t drown her problems in sugar too. Made everything go down easier. “Just wait. In a few days, my biggest issue will be needing help moving into my own apartment.”
“If you say so.” Elisa wet a rag, began wiping the counter. “So, back to Linc—how’s he taking the news?”
“Like Linc.”
Elisa nodded. “Stoic? Unbothered?”
Actually not so much, but explaining otherwise felt like betraying his trust. Zoey lifted one shoulder. “We’re all still processing.”
Elisa’s brows lifted. “We?”
Oops. That sounded cozy. “Um…”
A small smile began to form around Elisa’s lips. “Uh-huh?”
Heart pounding, Zoey shoveled in her last bite of waffle, then pointed to her mouth while chewing. How was she going to get out of this one? “You know…he tells me stuff. We’re like a team that way.”
“I see.”
Zoey swallowed just as the bell on the café door clattered. She twisted around on her stool in time to see Linc and Amelia walk in, wearing dark T-shirts, jeans, and matching scowls. Oh no. Not yet. They weren’t ready for this morning crowd.
Especially Amelia…
The diner fell silent, save for a handful of gasps and the clanking of silverware dropping against a plate. Everyone stared. Whispers hushed. Sadie elbowed Harper. Trish froze with a coffee carafe in hand. The two gossiping women at the counter gaped.
Amelia’s eyes widened as she took in the people taking her in. Linc stopped short, his gaze darting around the room, expression darkening like a storm.
Not good, not good.
