“That’s a little steep, isn’t it? But all right. I only get the best for Hank. I know how much he adores his coffee.” She tipped the lid open on a black carafe. “Fill her up.”
“I’ll be right with you,” Bethany called to the fair-haired gentleman who’d leaned over to peer into the donut case. “All donuts are two dollars apiece.”
She finished filling the carafe and eyed the credit card displayed on Elizabeth’s cell phone, which she held out for payment. “Sorry, I’ll need your actual card.”
Elizabeth sighed and dug in her purse for her card, handing it to Bethany. “Oh my, he’s easy on the eyes.”
Bethany had turned to swipe the card, but Elizabeth’s words made her pause. She followed her gaze and almost dropped the pot of coffee. The gentleman raised his head, and she got a good look at his sandy hair, square jaw, and dark glasses.
Desmond.Did she speak? She must have because he moved toward her.
Elizabeth raised her penciled eyebrows. “You two know each other?”
Bethany barely registered her words. “Why are you here?” The words came out as black and bitter as the coffee grounds she’d dumped in the trash.
“I came to apologize, and hopefully to make amends.”
“You need to leave.”
“Won’t you please hear me out?” Desmond walked forward, one hand stretched in front of him as if he thought she would slam the empty coffee pot over his traitorous head. Which wasn’t a bad idea. “I have an idea on how we can save Grandma Lou’s.”
She stilled. Why would he think Grandma Lou’s wasclosing? And what was he doing here after all this time? Had he seen the kiss-cam? That would explain his sudden appearance. “Let me guess...by stealing more money from me?”
“I’ll just leave you two to reminisce,” Elizabeth said, grabbing the carafe and heading out the door. “Enjoy your day.”
Bethany advanced from behind the counter, still clutching the empty pot, and Desmond took a step backward.
“Now hold on a second,” he said.
“Out. If you don’t leave, I’m going to call the police.”
Desmond took another step backward, eyeing the pot. “I just want to help you.”
What he wanted was money. And he thought he could find it because he believed she and Hank were an item. “I’m counting to five. One?—”
“Please. I’ve got a spot reserved for you on my cooking show. I want to do a live feature on Grandma Lou’s. To ask for votes for the contest.”
She stopped moving. “How do you know about the contest?”
“Elizabeth mentioned it. She said you were desperate to save the building.”
“When were you talking to Elizabeth?”
“I ran into her in town and followed her here just now.”
Convenient.She snorted and rolled her eyes.
“Listen to me. You’re going to need my help. With the media attention the show will bring, you can gain the votes you need to final in the contest.”
She tightened her grip on the pot and kept moving. “Two. I’m not that desperate.”
Desmond straightened his shirt and frowned. “Now,don’t let your ego get in the way. I’m sorry for the way I left.”
Bethany curled her lip. “And taking my money? Are you sorry about that?”
“Why would I be? We were engaged, and it was a joint account. It was as much my money as it was yours. But if you’re still stewing over that, let me make it up to you by featuring your restaurant on my show.”
Bethany took another step forward. “Three. What? Are ratings down? Four. You have to be insane,” she hissed, “to think I’d go anywhere near your show after what you did to me.”
