Page 255 of Worth the Trip

Malcolm reached the counter.

Nyla folded her arms. “You live in Self Springs.”

“Still drove.”

“Seven minutes.”

“Traffic was emotionally difficult.”

Nana laughed before I did.

Malcolm looked toward her. “See? Somebody appreciates sacrifice.”

Nana gave him a slow once-over. “You Malcolm?”

His brows lifted. “My reputation preceded me?”

“Nyla mentioned you.”

Nyla’s head snapped around. “Nana!”

“Oh, hush. You said some man from the festival kept bothering you.”

Malcolm pressed one hand against his chest. “Bothering sounds hostile.”

“You call her Coco?”

“I do.”

“Why?”

Malcolm glanced at Nyla, and some of his grin softened. “Still figuring that out.”

Nana nodded as though the answer satisfied her more than it should have. “I like him.”

“Nana.”

“What?”

“You’ve known him twenty seconds.”

“And?”

Malcolm grinned. “Thank you.”

“Don’t encourage him,” Nyla warned.

He looked at her. “You look good today.”

She stared.

“You lasted almost thirty seconds.”

“I’m improving.”

“Did it hurt?”

“Bad.”