Page 14 of Intrepid

His lips curved with his own grin, and he shook his head. “You’re a piece of work, angel.”

“Egg sandwich, extra ham!” Mama shouted from behind, and I spun around for the bag she’d set on the counter.

Arm outstretched, I set it in front of Ty, pushing his coffee beside it.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?” he asked, yanking his wallet from his back pocket.

“Going out. With friends.”

“Vampire and braids?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Where are you going?”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “Why should I tell you?”

“Do you ever just answer a question?”

“You’re tripping my creepy switch. So tell me why you’re so interested in my whereabouts, and maybe I will.”

“I find you intriguing. And beautiful. And I want to see you again. What’s creepy?”

The jingle announced another customer coming through the door, and I peeked around Ty to see a heavyset man with an impatient looking frown approaching.

“Shockwave. It’s ladies’ night, so plenty of pigeons around. Will I see you there?”

His eye flickered before he shook his head. “Nah. Dance clubs aren’t my thing.”

“What is your thing?” I dared to ask, as the older man sidled up to the counter.

“Frank! How’s my favorite accountant?” Mama’s voice broke in.

Ty swiped up his sandwich and coffee, leaning toward me one more time. “Girls who love playing hard to get. See you Tuesday, angel.” He spun around and headed toward the door, and my eyes fell to the fifty-dollar bill he’d left on the counter.

“You forgot your change!” I shouted after him, just as he reached the door.

He didn’t say anything before exiting, and Mr Frown stepped into my view, blocking his exit.

“I’ll take a large house brew and tuna melt.”

Neveah appeared beside me and slipped her apron over her head, tying it in the back. “Did I miss Ty?”

“Yeah, he just left,” I answered, and whirled around to relay the man’s order to Mama.

“What? Frank, when did you decide to change things up?” Mama stood with her spatula propped at her hip.

“This morning. Just signed my divorce papers, so I’m feeling a little adventurous.”

“Honey, Mama’s gonna make you the best damn tuna melt you ever had.”

Mr Frown’s face curved into a smile, and he shook his head with a chuckle. “’S’why I love comin’ to see you, Mama.”

Minutes later, I finished gathering his order, while Neveah took payment. “How do you know him?” I asked, as the man walked off with his food in hand.

“Who? Frank?”

“No. Ty.”