Page 8 of Unbreakable Thread

“Are you hungry, baby?” I reach for her hand and place it on my lap.

“Oh no, I’m stuffed. I ate a croissant with egg and avocado, and so many pastries. How about you? I don’t think I saw you eat.”

“Isabella has a way of forcing food on me. I had Max’s special.” I grin at her.

“Ah, yes. Isabella is always trying to feed everyone.” She turns slightly to the side. “Oh, I see you have increased my sales with your charm.” Rainey waggles her brows.

I scoff. “Charm? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was simply working.”

“Oh, pa-pa-please. I have never had so many people, and according to Isabella, she has never seen the café this busy. I was looking at the sales, and both the café and bookstore have seen a threefold increase. No wonder you had to hire more people. So tell me, what’s your marketing secret?” Rainey gives me a beautiful smile.

My grin widens as I think about the shit Leo did that increased sales since that day. I thought it was the most ridiculous idea, but fuck was I wrong. “Are you sure you want to know?”

Horns honk in front of us. Vegas traffic seems to get wilder by the day.

“Now I really need to know. Don’t tell me you were shirtless.”

My laughter fills the space. “No, I was not shirtless. My body is for your eyes only.” I wink and, like always, she turns a pretty shade of pink. “Leo kinda did something. He wanted to help, so he visited various bookstores to observe their marketing strategies. When he returned, he came up with so many ideas. He didn’t tell me what he was up to. The next day, he had arranged sections he called, ‘Masked men/stalkers,’ ‘spicy books,’ ‘bikers,’ and ‘romantasy.’”

Turning the signal light on, I turn left toward Mrs. Debbie’s Needs for Teens. “I was in the office working on inventory when I heard a lot of commotion coming from the front. Leo was wearing a mask, and women were taking photos with him.” Rainey’s eyes widen, and I laugh. “It was odd, but hey, the café was booming.”

“Oh, Leo, you’ve gotta love that guy. But today I think they were coming to see the hot boxer in an apron.”

“Nah, sunshine, it’s your café. Your food, books, and the location are what it’s all about.” I lift a shoulder. “And Leo might have accounted for some of the sales, a very small fraction of it, and the…hot guy with the apron,” I tease, and that gets me a laugh from my girl. Putting a smile on her face has been difficult these past few days. It has my heart bursting with warmth knowing I put it on her. Maybe she needed to get out of the house.

I had suggested that it was best for her to stay home and rest for the past few weeks. She did have a lot of healing to do inside and out. Although I know I could have taken her out for a drive, maybe dinner, the truth is I’m terrified of something happening to her. Those memories of them taking her and when she fell down those cement stairs live vividly in my head. I didn’t get to her fast enough. Everything happened in slow motion.

“Where are we going?” Rainey asks, looking around.

“Do you remember when I mentioned Mrs. Debbie?”

“Yes, how can I forget that sweet woman?”

“I need to drop off money. Every month I donate⁠—”

Before I can finish, her palm goes to her chest. “Aw, Max, you’re the sweetest.”

We are at a stoplight, so she pulls me in, and her lips go straight on mine. I want to suck the air out of her—breathe the air she does, but I withhold those thoughts and the blood rushing to places it shouldn’t. It’s a quick swipe of the lips before she’s back in her seat.

“Can I get down to meet her?”

“Of course, amor.” I give her hand a gentle squeeze. “Anything for you. I’ve been wanting you to meet her. She’s going to love you.” I have been talking about Rainey for so long, and Mrs. Debbie has been eager to meet her.

The Needs For Teens building comes into view, its entrance crowded with waiting teenagers. Their faces light up, a familiar expression I recognize from my own days standing in that same line. A knot forms in my throat. Mrs. Debbie emerges with her team of volunteers, their arms filled with grocery bags, and they begin distributing to outstretched hands.

It never fails to amaze me how Rainey knows just how to calm me. She reaches for my hand, kissing my knuckles. “Come on, honey, let’s put a smile on these kids’ faces.” Rainey tugs on my arm.

With spring approaching, the lingering sweetness of flowers blooming fills the air. Mrs. Debbie’s eyes twinkle at the sight of me, and her smile grows. “Maxamillian, how are you, love?” She looks at my hands, intertwined with Rainey’s. “Who is this beauty? My, what a gorgeous woman you have by your side, Max.”

“Hi, Mrs. Debbie. This is my girl, Rainey, the one I’ve been talking to you about.” I look over at Rainey. “Baby, this is Mrs. Debbie, my savior, when I needed a meal, clothes, or just kind words.”

Rainey’s eyes water. Without a word, she hugs Mrs. Debbie and rubs her back. “Thank you for being a rock to children who need love. You’re an extraordinary woman.”

“It’s nothing, love.” Mrs. Debbie shrugs off her kindness. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” Her wrinkled hands frame Rainey’s face. “You’re even more beautiful in person. Max has told me so much about you. Thank you for giving this man the happiness he deserves.”

Rainey’s head drops to her chest, avoiding eye contact with Mrs. Debbie, which makes me wonder what is going on in her mind. I’m still unsure whether she will want to fight this together or choose to be a flight risk again.

“He deserves the world. He’s a good man.” Rainey’s voice is low as she takes a step back. “What can we help you with, Mrs. Debbie?”