Page 15 of Tangled Emotions
I gave her a shrug back. “I ride.”
“Everyone does something.” She clicked her tongue and before she walked off, I caught her hand.
“Wanna go for a ride?”
“Pfft. Right.” She chuffed. “Cookies are on the house.” Pulling her hand from me, I watched as she turned and went back through the door.
“Hey, Big E?” I called to the guy in the kitchen.
“Yo!” He popped up in the window.
“What time does she get off?”
He started laughing. “No can do.”
“When’s her next shift?” I took a drink of my coffee.
“Nice try.” He gave me a wink and went back to work.
“Hey. Overprotective brother.” I raised my eyebrow. “I’ll get you a reference.”
He busted up laughing. “Geno! Get a load of this guy!”
Gene came over. “What’s up?”
“That man wants to hook up with Edith.”
Gene shook his head.
“What gives?” I leaned forward on the counter. “You tell your sisters to stay away from boys?”
He doubled over, laughing. “You don’ttellour sisters to do shit.”
“Edie is a powerhouse, and Evie will fuck you up.” Big E laughed. “And if you mess with Edie, the crazy younger one will have your nuts in a sling.”
Chuckling, I pointed at my cup for a top up. “The little one?”
“Don’t let her size fool you. The young one is small and scrappy. Crazy too. I swear if she was our first, my boys wouldn’t be here.” An older man came up and sat next to me. “Are you Francis?”
“I am.”
“I have a delivery for Miss Cora. She wasn’t in church this morning, so we wanted to send a care package.”
“Understood, sir.” I broke my cookie in half. “I will take it to her and be sure she eats.”
“Thank you.” He tapped the counter, and Gene set a cup of coffee in front of him.
Shaking my head, I decided to do something crazy and old-fashioned. “Sir, I’d like to take your daughter Edith to dinner.”
He nodded. “I understand. But that’s her call.” He tipped his head and looked through the window at her. “You can’t come in from the front.” He took a drink. “You understand?”
Ah. She’s been hurt.
“Loud and clear, sir.”
He sighed as he stood up. “I need to go check on my wife and let her have the rest of the day off. Edith is off as well.” Looking around, he narrowed his eyes. “Where is Evelyn?”
“Um, Ma’s chewing her ass.” Gene shrugged. “She upset Edie.”