Page 256 of Worth the Trip

Nana laughed again.

I leaned toward her. “You see why I said trouble?”

“I see why your sister keep answering him.”

“Nana!”

I nearly choked.

Malcolm looked far too pleased with himself.

Nyla pointed toward the menu. “Buy something or move.”

“Brown sugar praline.”

“You already know you like that.”

“Exactly. I’m loyal.”

“That sounds convenient.”

“I can be loyal and convenient.”

“You can also pay.”

He tapped his phone against the reader without losing eye contact.

I stepped away.

Malcolm and Nyla had enough chemistry to power the refrigeration system.

Their problems could wait for their own story.

By noon, Nana had somehow acquired three children at one of the community tables and was listening to a seven-year-old explain why mermaids would obviously choose strawberry ice cream over vanilla because the ocean already had enough plain things in it.

Nana nodded solemnly. “That makes sense.”

It did not.

Nobody told him.

The front door opened again.

This time, Mama Brooks walked through first.

I smiled immediately.

Warren Brooks followed with a bakery box tucked beneath one arm while Lennox came in behind them looking around as though somebody had invited him to conduct an inspection.

“Mama Brooks.”

Her entire face brightened. “There she go.”

I crossed toward them and accepted her hug.

“You made it.”

“Wouldn’t miss this, baby.”