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“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And if they don’t like chocolate then—”
“Then I will ask them what they do like, and go from there.”
“But—”
“No buts. I have spent plenty of time in this shop watching you in action. I’ve learned a thing or two.”
Cami did trust Ella, but it was hard to give up control and trust that someone was capable of doing what Cami did. But she had no choice. She couldn’t put pressure on her ankle right now. “Okay,” Cami finally said. “I trust you.”
“Damn I wish I could have recorded that.” Ella laughed. “I’ll call you later. Relax for once in your life.”
“I’ll try, and El?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for helping me out.”
“It’s what friends do.”
Cami hung up the phone and sank back into the couch. She closed her eyes, giving herself a moment to rest. Within seconds, her lack of sleep caught up to her, and she was out cold.
Chapter 16
The entire drive into town Enzo mentally kicked himself for walking away from Cami. He thought he needed a breather to think things through, but the only thing he could think about was Cami’s lips, the softness of her skin, the feel of her fingers curling into his hair. He didn’t need a breather at all. He needed her.
It was too late to turn around now; he’d already left when she was so eager, clinging to him like she never wanted to let go. He was an idiot. He tried not to think about his moment of stupidity and focused instead on the pure pleasure Cami brought him. The memories helped when he was stuck in traffic for twenty minutes just to get through Main Street.
Unfortunately, there were only so many back roads to take until he had to get on the main strip. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he pulled into the parking lot. He drove up and down the aisles, searching for a space, knowing damn well if he was patient enough, one would open up.
After passing Cami’s car with that damn donut for the eighth time, he finally stumbled on a spot. He pulled his Jeep in and threw it in park.
He walked by Cami’s car and thought about calling her and insisting now that she was home to call and get the tire taken care of, but he’d already injured her today and walked out on an amazing kiss; he didn’t need to give her more reason to despise him. He ignored the tire and headed up to the boardwalk.
His first stop was the Local Bean. He couldn’t return to Cami’s place and tell her he didn’t bother to check on things. He knew better. He pulled the door open and stepped inside. With about four people in line and three waiting, the place was busy, but Enzo had seen it worse. And Ella and Paulie seemed to be handling the crowd with ease.
Ella took orders, and Paulie made the coffees. It was an efficient process that they easily nailed. Ella spotted Enzo, and she gave him a wave as well as a curious eye. He bypassed the line and came around the counter.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Did Cami send you? I just told her that Paulie and I have everything under control.” Ella took money from the customer, handed them their change, then swung her gaze to Enzo. “So?”
“Cami didn’t send me.”
“Then what the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m just checking in to see if everything is running smoothly, but from what I can see, everything is.”
“Practically fifteen years of serving lobster rolls on the boardwalk in the middle of the August humidity. I think I can handle a register in the nice cold air conditioning.”
Enzo glanced over to Paulie who was drizzling caramel syrup on one coffee and popping a lid on another. His arms were long if not a bit lanky, and his hair was covered by a baseball cap embellished with the Local Bean logo. “What about Paulie?”
“See for yourself.” Ella nodded in Paulie’s direction. “He learned from the best.”
Enzo moved behind the counter and stopped next to Paulie, admiring his handiwork.
“Hi, Mr. Moretti,” Paulie said.
