Page 26 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

Her hand pauses. Then she looks at me.

"Javier?"

"Yes. Javier Martinez. Vegetable dictator."

Betty's mouth twitches.

"What did he do?"

I point at the bag.

"He gave me vegetables."

She stares at me.

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't."

"This must be very difficult for you."

"Betty."

"I'm here if you need to talk."

"You're enjoying this."

"Immensely."

She puts a lid on my latte.

"He told me he grew everything at the stand."

"He does."

"I didn't believe him."

Now she stops smiling. For approximately half a second. Then it gets worse.

"Oh, Maddy."

"Don't."

"What did you think he did?"

"I don't know."

"You asked him?"

"I asked for the grower."

Betty presses her lips together.

"He said he was the grower."

She makes a strangled sound.

"You can stop anytime."