“And Poppy? Could she use the money?”
I stiffen. Of course she threatens me by using my daughter. I would do anything for her. Which is why I’m working at the diner. To keep her fed and clothed.
“I am doing just fine for the two us.”
Again, she looks around with her nose held high in the air as if she’s above this place. “Are you?”
I’m done. There is no point in having this conversation with her. It’s an endless cycle. Her wanting me to go back to Paul, make amends. Me getting angry. Not speaking for weeks.
Rinse and repeat.
“If Paul really wanted me, he knows where I am. Now, is there anything else you need? I have to get back to work.”
She stands and I follow her.
“You don’t know what you’re doing, Presley. This isn’t what your father wanted.”
Cutting my gaze to Kade, I find that his eyes are locked on me. It helps to soothe the anger threatening to take over.
“Well, he had plenty of time to fix his will and chose not to do that. And he never knew what I wanted because he never bothered to ask.” I wave a hand across from me to show her the exit. “I actually know exactly what I’m doing. I’ll see you around.”
She leaves in a huff, perfume wafting behind her.
The same overly stuffy scent she’s always worn.
“Sage could work well for you, my dear,” Serena tells me. “Clear out the negative and bring in better energy for you.”
“Right.” I ignore her words, walking over to Kade. I don’t need to give her any reason to give me a reading at the moment. I don’t need to know that the meeting with my mom was a disaster and that the fortunes aren’t in my favor.
Or whatever else she might tell me.
“You good?” Kade asks, pulling me between his legs.
I sigh. “I wish things were different with her. She can’t see past me not being with Paul and how it’s not what my father wanted.”
He scoffs, anger lacing the sound. “Does it not matter what you want? Did they ever stop to think about that?”
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and rest my forehead against his. “We wouldn’t be in this situation if they did.”
“Then I will do my best tonight to make you forget all that.”
I kiss him, short and sweet. Because the last thing I want?—
“I really need to implement a no macking on the customers rule,” Betty moans, dropping off a plate of fries. “Rylee is just as bad when Chase comes in.”
“Kade isn’t really a customer.”
“He’s eating. He’s a customer. Now, make sure he paysand gives you a good tip.” Betty eyes me before turning to Kade. “A real tip. None of this I’ll do it in the bedroom nonsense you kids seem to do these days.”
“Betty!” I gasp.
“For the shake and fries. And excellent service.” Kade pulls out his wallet and drops two twenties on the counter. “Would it help if I leave a five-star review online?”
Betty smiles at him, big and toothy. “Leave a one-star for all I care. I never look at those things. It’s a diner. You come here, you know what you’re getting. If you don’t like a burger, fries, and a shake, go to the steakhouse in Thistle Creek. I don’t give a damn. And if you don’t like my girls? Tough shit. I’m not letting any of them go. Even if they have a thing for the guests.”
Kade smiles at me.
Betty is right. I know what I’m getting here.
