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“Yo, Lottie!” Tish pokes her head into the back. “You’ve got a visitor.”
I wipe the crumbs off my lip. “Who?”
“I’m not sure. Some lady in a suit. But she asked to sit in your section.”
I shove my half-eaten packet of crackers back into my locker and walk out of the back room. I instantly spot the woman in question sitting in the corner booth; the only person here I’ve never seen before in my life. She’s not a local, that’s for sure.
She has long black hair that falls elegantly over her shoulders. The ends of it blend into the jet black of her suit jacket and blouse. As I approach, she looks up at me through blue-rimmed glasses and smiles, highlighting the classic beauty of her face, her features bathed in sunlight.
“Hello,” she says, quickly standing up. “Are you Lottie Linney?”
“Uh, yeah,” I answer. “Can I help you?”
“My name is Summer.” She extends her hand, presenting a business card. “I’m a friend of Scott Smolders.”
I take the card, her title instantly making me stand upright. “You’re the family law attorney he mentioned?”
“I am. He’s told me all about your case?—”
“Already?”
She smiles, showing off a pair of perfect cheekbones. “He was rather concerned about your situation. And, frankly, so am I. Do you have a minute to talk?”
I glance around for Bruno’s sharp eyes. “Technically, no.”
“I promise I won’t take up too much of your time.”
I give the diner another once over, thankful for the current lull, before sliding into the booth across from her.
“Lottie,” Summer says, “it’s my understanding that you and you ex have shared custody of your son?”
I nod. “Well, nothing official or anything. We trade off, mostly, depending on each other’s schedules.”
“You were never married?”
“No, ma’am.”
She smiles. “You don’t have to call me that. Summer is fine.”
“No, Summer,” I say. “We never married.”
“That’s good. It makes this significantly easier.”
“Makes what easier?” I ask.
“Ensuring what happened yesterday never happens again,” Summer says, her eyes sharper. “He abandoned your child in a place where he couldn’t guarantee his safety, Lottie.”
I look down. “I know.”
“As a mother myself, I can imagine how terrifying that was for you.” She flashes a friendly smile. “You’re lucky to have gained a wonderful new neighbor when you did.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Scott’s been… surprisingly helpful.”
“He’s a valuable witness for your case,” she says. “He’s already agreed to testify, should it go that far.”
My chest clenches. “Okay...”
Summer leans forward slightly. “I know this might seem fast.”
