“Hi, Serena. How are you?”
“Good, as always. You seem to be in better spirits.”
“You know what, I am,” I say.
“That Lovers card must be working out for you.” She gives me a coy smile.
“Anything I can get for you?” I ignore her comment.
Whether it was just the timing or right card, I don’t want to admit she’s right. Or could have been right.
“Just a coffee today.”
By the time I head back to the dining room to deliver it, I smile as I spot two new guests.
“Hey, you two,” I say. “What are you doing here? I thought you were riding at the ranch.”
Poppy runs up to me, wrapping her arms around my legs.
“Kade said riding horses is always better when you have a milkshake.”
“Is that so?” I peer up at Kade.
A small smile flirts across his lips. “I’m pretty sure I told you the same thing back in the day, Pres.”
I cover Poppy’s ears so she can’t hear. “I thought you were doing that so our dates would last longer.”
He shrugs a shoulder. “Well, that too.”
“Kade, can I pick our flavors?” Poppy asks, spinning in my arms.
“Sure.”
“Yes.”
I nod toward the kitchen. “Go tell Betty what you want and she’ll help you, okay?”
She takes off around the counter and I can hear Betty’s squeals of delight when she sees Poppy.
“Poppy is everyone’s favorite.” Kade laughs.
“She is,” I say, stepping closer to him. I want to take him into my arms, but I can’t. Not when Poppy could dart aroundthe corner at any moment. “Are you going to be okay with her today?”
“I mean, I think so,” Kade says, sliding into a free stool. “Nothing can be worse than screwing up her mac and cheese.”
I snort a laugh. “Well, at least now you know what kind she likes.”
“It’s mac and cheese. It’s all the same.”
I shake my head, dropping a kiss onto his cheek. “It’s not. The blue box is superior.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Poppy comes walking around the counter with two large glasses in her hand with straws poking out.
“This one is yours, Kade.” She passes it to him.
“What kind is it?” he asks, taking it from her.
