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7

Quinton

Usually, I loved when new shipments came in. It meant we were able to be productive and get some of the vehicles taken care of and out of the way. Everything came on Friday morning just as planned, but seeing the radiator for Shiloh’s food truck on the inventory sheet pissed me off. I needed more time with her.

I couldn’t be absolutely sure that once she was back on the road, I would be able to monopolize as much of her time as I had for the past week. Her agreeing to take the boys on a playdate showed that I was wearing her down. I just hated that her punk ass baby daddy showed up and fucked up the vibe.

I made it to the shop early enough to get to A Little Bit of Sweetness before Shiloh opened. Although the window was closed, I knocked on it and stood back to wait for her to answer. The window opened, but instead of Shiloh, it was the other lady who I was pretty sure I heard her call Rhonda. When she saw that it was me, she smiled big as hell but turned and walked away without greeting me.

“Shiloh, your man is here,” she sang.

“What?” Shiloh laughed as she walked over to the window.

“You heard what she said. Your man is here,” I repeated.

“Oh wow. Don’t listen to her nonsense. She’s not herself before she has her coffee.”

“Nah, she’s right. Your man is here for his hot chocolate,” I confirmed.

Shiloh rolled her eyes to the ceiling but couldn’t disguise that gigantic smile on her face even if she tried. “I told you that’s not hot chocolate.”

“I’m not talking about coffee. I’m talking about you.”

“I know that’s right.” Her girl chimed in from a distance.

Again, my baby rolled her eyes.

“You look pretty this morning in your purple, but how you feeling today?” I asked.

“I’m good. I saw that you were in the office early. I was just about to bring you breakfast.”

“Look at you, feeding your man,” I teased.

“It’s the least I could do. You’ve done so much to help me.”

“It’s nothing. I keep telling you that both me and my customers love having you here. Being able to get a little something to eat or drink while they wait helps keep my disgruntled folks at bay,” I informed her.

“Glad to be able to be of service.”

“As much as it pains me to say it, your part finally came in.”

“Why in the world does it pain you? You should be happy. I know I am.”

“I figured you would be.” I nodded.

“So how much longer before you can get me back in service?” she quizzed.

“Damn, don’t sound so excited to get away from me,” I joked.

“That’s not it. I’m ready to be able to get out of your hair.”

“You’re not in my hair. I was actually going to ask you to continue to come once you’re back on the road. Having you here boosted the morale of my staff and customers.”

“Yeah, but I’m taking up half of your parking lot.”

“I don’t mind that. I don’t want you to leave, Shiloh. You might be taking up half of my parking lot, but you’re taking up my whole damn head.”

I didn’t know what I was saying, but I needed to get it out. I couldn’t let Shiloh just leave without making sure she knew that I didn’t want her to go anywhere.