Page 70 of Paper Horses

He dropped his hand and looked up at me. “I thought she was your ex,” he said, tipping his hat at me.

“Was is the operative word.” I smacked the hat off his head. “Don’t touch women without their permission. You oughta know better than that.”

Jessie plunked a plate of eggs in front of him. “You should know better than that, Chip. Don’t let me see that behavior again, or I’ll have Dennie throw you out.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Olivia cleared her throat, and I turned my sight to see her standing there, staring him down with her arms crossed. Damn, she was like an aggressive predator waiting to strike.

“I’m waiting for the apology.”

He shifted in his seat and picked his hat up from the counter. “Sorry, ma’am.”

A roll of her eyes and an exaggerated huff had me hiding my grin. “I am not a ma’am, and you’d be wise to remember that.”

Chin up, she sauntered back to the booth and took her seat.

“Seriously, Hudson. I didn’t know she was your girl.”

Jessie gave me a look when I returned my attention to him. “No excuse, Chip,” she said, giving me a wink. “You’d best be leaving me a good tip so I don’t let this slip over dinner. Carl might not like hearing his best mechanic got handsy.”

“Damn, Jessie, don’t do that to me. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Give the kid a break, Jessie. He owned up, and I’m sure he’ll think twice the next time he touches without asking.” I straightened his cap and gave him a pat on the back. He was a good kid. I wasn’t so sure when I’d started calling twenty-five-year-olds kids, but I guess I’d hit that age. “She’s too old for you and way out of your league, anyway.”

I heard snickering as I walked back to my seat but ignored it as I slid into the booth. Olivia took a sip of her coffee, her nose crinkling at the taste.

“I miss the coffee shop down the street from the office,” she said, absently opening a creamer, the same creamer she’d eyed with suspicion just a few days ago. “I keep telling Gabe he should add one to the building. Right on the main floor where the daycare is, but he says he doesn’t want random people invading the lobby.”

“Can’t blame him for that,” I said. “You know, you’re a spitfire, Olivia Icinda.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Really? You just announced your presence to everyone in the place⁠—”

“Everyone who already knew who I was because you apparently like to complain about me.”

My teeth ground as I narrowed my eyes at her. “I don’t discuss my personal life with many people, especially anything that has to do with you.”

“Well, you talked to someone.”

Jessie placed my plate in front of me, and I gazed up at her, seeing her bite the inside of her cheek. “That would be my husband’s fault,” she admitted, setting a bowl piled with fruit and granola in front of Olivia. “He and Hudson have been friends for years, and this man has a tendency to let his lips flap when he drinks. Same with Carl. They’re both bad.”

“Which is the only reason he ever had the balls to ask you out,” I added.

“Why is that?” Olivia said, stirring up the bowl and revealing yogurt below. “This doesn’t look like the kids’ plate.”

“I remembered this one teasing you about your eating choices and whipped you up something a little healthier. Although it’s full-fat yogurt, so I’m not sure it's any healthier than what’s on his plate.”

Olivia stared at the concoction and swallowed. I could see her trying to figure out her next step and braced myself.

“Thank you,” she said, turning her attention to Jessie.

“You’re welcome, Olivia.”

“So what did drinking have to do with asking you out?” She lifted her spoon, stopping mid-air. “And it’s Liv.”

I almost dropped my coffee, but Jessie’s smile grew to about the size of one of those creepy dolls she collected.