“Sugar, please.”
That was a no-brainer for Lace.
The girl finally looked up from her tablet, and when she caught a glimpse of Vincent, her eyes widened.
“And you, sir?” she continued.
Presto-Chango. Her posture improved, thrusting her chest forward.
“What can I get for you?”
With honey dripping from the attendant’s tone, the girl batted her lashes in what she clearly hoped was a provocative way.
To Lace it simply looked like the chit had a bug in her eye.
“Same, please,” Vince said, appearing not to notice the girl’s regard as he turned his attention fully back to Lace.
Right.He must be used to over-the-top ogling from an adoring audience, both young and old.
“You want to eat in the truck, or find a spot at a picnic table?” Vince questioned Lace as the employee sighed and got to work.
“Picnic table.” Lace didn’t hesitate. The more outdoor time she could get, the better.
Vince nodded, then retrieving first Lace’s confection then his own from the girl, he tipped her jar, generously.
Before he turned to walk away, Vince winked at the now pouting…teen?
Right.He had noticed.
Lace heard the scooper’s indrawn gasp of delight, and as they walked away, Lace took her cone from him, then elbowed Vince in the ribs.
“I think you almost gave her a heart attack,” she snorted. “You’re too lethal for your own good.”
All Lace got in return was a grin, which…Okay. Itwashot.
Once again Vince touched her back, this time steering her toward a vacant table that was under the trees where it was shady.
Huh.Lethalandsmart, Lace smirked.
It seems thatsomeonemight have been reading up on chemo patients having to avoid direct sunlight.
More points to Vince.
As if Lace’s mental-tally board wasn’t already overflowing.
They settled in across the worn wooden planks from each other. Lace let the chocolate restore her while at the same time she ran her fingers over the many initials that had been carved in the surface over the years.
She felt…at ease.
Lace was amazed that her cancer-induced anxiety levels had plummeted, and that her stomach wasn’t rebelling. But just in case the latter reared its ugly head, she already had a route into the trees picked out that wouldn’t have her barfing in front of all the unsuspecting patrons.
Vince sat easily, watching her, and she returned the regard from under her lashes, enjoying their cones in companionable silence.
Once they were both down to the ends of their treats, Vincent leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table.
“So, what did you find out about Inez?” he asked.
Lace had wondered how long he’d be able to go without asking.