The bright smile nearly blinds me. “That would be awesome.”
I follow her back into the kitchen, telling myself it’s not a mortal sin to give her ass a quick glance of appreciation. “You know,” I draw. “Larkin would help you with the baking in a skinny minute if you asked her.”
“I know she would,” Penny replies as she steps aside for me to get to the oven. “That’s what besties do. And don’t think I won’t call on that Southern hospitality if I need it, but for now, I think I’ve got it under control.”
I crouch, flick the switch, and listen for the click, but I get nothing. “Yep, gas line’s closed.” I reach under the counter, find the valve and twist it. The burner flares to life with a satisfying whoosh.
She startles, then laughs, the sound bright and genuine. “Show-off.”
“Just practical.” I straighten, wiping my hands on a towel. “You’d be surprised what bartending teaches a man about broken appliances.”
“Yeah, like how to drink bourbon and hope for the best?”
“Exactly. Need me to do anything else while you got me?”
“No, but I know who to call if I do,” she replies,and… was that a bit of flirtation in return?
I should leave because I know she’s got a lot to do and I’ve got my run to complete, followed by a hell of a lot of computer time ahead of me.
But I really don’t want to go yet. “How’s Muriel holding up?” I ask.
“She’s doing okay,” Penny says softly. “She’s such a tough woman, so it’s a little hard to see her laid up like that. I’m pleased to report that she is still spectacular at bossing people around, which I take as a good sign.”
“And did you quit your job or something?” I ask hesitantly. While I don’t know a lot about Penny’s job, I know enough people in this town who do, and I’ve heard about her over the years. The big takeaway has always been that she’s passionate about her work.
“No, fortunately,” she says on a long exhale. “At least not yet. I had seventeen days of PTO, which will get me through about three weeks here, and after that… I’m not sure. I talked to my boss yesterday and he seems accommodating, but this field is competitive and the work is demanding. I’m not sure if they’ll hold my position that long.”
While I don’t know exactly what she does, I am compelled to champion her. “They’d be idiots to let you go.”
She gives a little huff of laughter. “You haven’t met my boss.”
“No,” I say, studying her. “But I’ve met you. You don’t lose easily.”
She freezes for a heartbeat, eyes flicking to mine. Whatever she sees there makes her swallow hard. Then she looks away, deflecting with humor. “That sounds like a compliment.”
“Maybe it is.”
Outside, a car door slams, the sound of the town coming to life. It startles us both.
“Thanks for the help,” she says finally, brushing her hair from her face.
“Anytime.” I glance at my watch, irritated I forgot to pause my run tracker. “Call me if you need anything. I’m just a few blocks away and can be here in a jiff.”
“Will do.” She follows me back to the front of the restaurant to the glass door. “Where are you off to now?”
“Going to finish my run and then I’m at home. I’ve got a long day ahead at my ‘other thing.’”
“That again.” Her tone’s teasing but curious. “You really aren’t going to tell me what this mysterious side gig is?”
I grin, pushing open the door. “Let’s just say it involves creativity and an alarming number of inappropriate words.”
She laughs, low and skeptical. “Still evasive, huh?”
“Still curious, huh?”
We trade looks and for a second, it feels like the startof something that I didn’t know I needed to begin.
I nod toward the kitchen. “Don’t burn the biscuits, Bean.”
