Page 154 of Hidden Ties

“That’s harsh.”

“It was her first time having to leave early. I feel terrible for her. They are also threatening to fire Brian. He’s such a nice guy. On his way into work, he gets coffee for everyone who asks him. He lives next to the best coffee house in town. Everyone who asks pays him at the end of the week. He got written up by Bree. If it happens again, he’ll be fired. He’s getting married next month. He can’t afford to lose his job. I think his feelings were hurt more than anything.”

“What was he written up for?”

“For substandard work. Brian is amazing at his job. I used to have to work the front desk during his breaks. Anyone who covers for him complains about how bad it is. I’ve heard Bree and Livvy complaining much they hate it themselves.”

Opening his bottle of water, Kent took a sip while listening intently. “Then why do you think he was written up?”

“Livvy owed him for a month’s worth of coffee, and Bree owes him for two weeks’ worth. He stopped bringing them any. He also told them he wouldn’t bring them anymore if they didn’t give him what they owed him.”

Colby ran over to them to climb on the bench of the picnic table. “May I have my drink, Sage?”

“You may.”

“Me, too.” Uninhibited, Tinsley climbed onto Kent’s lap.

Sage removed the cover from the straw for the juice box, then poked it though the box. Kent reached for the other box, doing the same thing for Tinsley.

“Careful,” she warned as Kent gave the box to Tinsley.

The warning came too late. When she took the juice, Tinsley grabbed the box too hard, sending the juice squirting out of the box and hitting Kent on the chest.

Wishing she had warned him quicker, she reached inside the diaper bag for wipes.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, while Tinsley gained control of the straw and sucked it into her mouth.

“It’s cool. At least it’s clear.” Patting the wipes on his shirt, he gave her an unconcerned smile.

“Apple juice. It’ll still be sticky.”

“I’ll live.” Holding Tinsley as she drank her juice, he seemed comfortable for him not to have been around children before.

“Do you have children?” she asked.

“No. I don’t have nieces or nephews, either, as far as I know,” he answered easily.

The girls finished their drinks before running off again. Sage let them play for another thirty minutes before rounding them up.

Before she could pick up Tinsley, Kent swooped her into his arms. Enjoying the childish giggles, Sage took Colby by the hand for the walk to the small restaurant on their way home.

They found a table at the busy restaurant, and Kent settled Tinsley into a highchair the hostess had brought while she helped Colby climb into a booster seat.

“I want a hamburger and fries,” Colby demanded.

“All right.” Her eyes went to Kent’s. “Tuesday is kids’ choice,” she told him. “What would you like, Tinsley?

“Corndog,” Tinsley said sweetly.

Kent’s face filled with amusement. “I can see who the alpha is between the two of them.”

“Don’t count Tinsley out. She’s more cunning than you’d expect.”

Sending her a doubtful look, he ordered chicken tenders and fries. She ordered herself a barbeque sandwich with a side of corn, then pulled out two coloring books and boxes of crayons and gave them to the girls.

“You order a lot of chicken for a billionaire.”

Kent wadded up the paper from his straw, flipping it at her. “You’re a nut. I never said I was a billionaire.”