Page 29 of Reckless

“It really wasn’t,” the kid fires back.

I like him. He’s got balls to talk to a biker like that, even if he is just a prospect.

Liam points at the description underneath. “So it’s pastry.”

“Yeah.”

“With butter?”

“Lots.”

“And sugar?”

“Also yes.” He nods once.

Liam nods as though he’s sold on the idea. “I’ll have two.”

Deek immediately leans across him. “I’ll help.”

Without so much as looking in his direction, Liam slides the plate out of reach.

“You’ll help yourself to your own. You have four hundred pastries in front of you, dick.”

“I believe food tastes better shared!”

“I believe you’ve got another eight pastries coming, asshole.”

“But sharing builds character.” Deek chuckles, reaching across to grab a piece of Liam’s buttery pastry.

Liam slaps Deek’s hand dramatically, crumbs tumbling to the table. “So does disappointment.”

I leave them to it, a small smirk crossing my face.

Millie is moving constantly, filling coffee cups, boxing pastries, answering questions before they’re asked, all while trying to thank every brother who’s walked through the door.

The nerves she’d been carrying when we got here have settled. She no longer wonders who’ll show up. Now she’s just trying to keep up with the people who have. “What can I get you?” she asks when I step up beside the register.

“Coffee.”

She waits. “And?”

I look through the cabinet. “I don’t know what most of these are.”

Her smile grows. “I probably should’ve labeled them better.”

“You labeled them.”

“I labeled them in baker.”

I look back at the cabinet. “I don’t speak baker.”

That earns a laugh. “No,” she agrees. “I suppose you don’t.”

She reaches into the display and lifts out one of the pastries. “Try this.”

“What is it?”

“A morning bun.”