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For the next hour, Charlie rode an unforeseen high. Mack had brought nothing but good into her life—phenomenal conversation, friendship, and now customers. Were there a gazillion things she had to think through? Yes. Starting with Mack living in New York. Long-distance relationships almost always crashed before arrival. But Mack didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. And her family lived here. And, well, maybe they could figure it out.

One time Jess described Charlie as having the loyalty of a golden retriever. When Charlie was with a woman, no one else existed. When sheand Jess first got together, their relationship was all-consuming, addictive, and passionate. Charlie held an immediate, undying devotion to her, thinking how lucky she was to finally find someone who “got her” and was “her person.” Everything revolved around Jess. If Jess was sad, so was she. If Jess was happy, so was she.

But being with Mack was different. The attraction ran deep through her core. Made her squirm at night, her hands pressed against herself, her fingers circling to release pressure. But the attraction wasn’t dependent like it was with Jess. It wasn’t an anxiety-ridden fear of constantly wondering how they felt, thinking they’d leave or hoping she was enough. This attraction was independent.

“I feel like I was just railed by a linebacker and need a hip replacement.” Ben gripped the counter’s edge and twisted as loud cracks released from his back. “God, that was a ton of people.”

Charlie collapsed on the stool. “I can’t even believe Mack did that.”

“Super cool, for real.”

“Might’ve been a fluke, though. We don’t know if these people will come back.”

Ben squished on the stool with her. “A bunch of people said they didn’t know this place existed. If this keeps happening, you might need to hire more staff.”

If this continues, I might not go bankrupt.

He pulled his cell from his pocket. “Remi texted that she drove over here earlier but couldn’t find a parking spot, so she left.”

She wiped her hands on a towel and leaned into his shoulder. “Dang. I haven’t seen her for a while. She couldn’t have parked a few blocks away and walked?”

He let out a puff of air though his nose. “It’s like you’ve never met my roomie before. She has the patience of a two-year-old. No way would she have waited that long.”

The doorbell chimed. Andrew walked in with his cap flipped backward, hands in his pocket, and commanding footsteps.

“Oh, helloooo, daddy,” Ben whispered.

“That’s Mack’s dad.”

Ben straightened his back. “Hell yeah, it is.”

“No.” She bumped his leg. “He’s Mack’sactualdad.”

His mouth dropped. “Shut. Up.”

“I know, right?” She waved at Andrew and breathed a sigh of relief that Ben moved to the storage room and wouldn’t be tempted to flirt. “Hey!”

“Hey there. Sorry I couldn’t swing by yesterday. Some issues came up at work.” He angled his head towards the flooring. “Looks like the area rug covered things up pretty good.”

She rose from the chair. “No worries at all, seriously. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done already.”

“I know your shop’s busy. Okay to pop over and take a quick look?”

“Of course.” Sugar Mugs was still half-filled with customers, but no chance would Charlie send him away after everything he had done.

Andrew pulled out a tape measure from his pocket and knelt. After a bit of poking and prodding, he stood. “The gap is minimal. I gotta cut a strip, fix it with wood glue and a few floor staples, and we should be good. You girls did great. I’m really proud of you two.”

Proud of you. Her chest spilled over with his warm fuzzy accolades. How many things had she done in the past in search of those words from her father? She thought back to when she sprinted up her splintered patio stairs and slammed into their trailer, gripping the paper that announced she got the solo in her freshman choirrecital. Never taking his eyes off the TV, her dad rattled off those same words.

But Andrew’s words were like marshmallow hot chocolate on a winter rainy night. “Please tell me what I owe you for this.”

He waved his hands. “Nothing. The supplies were just sitting in storage taking up room.” He stuffed the tape measure in his back pocket and slid out of the way of a customer. “I gotta tell ya, you’ve certainly created some spark in Mackey. Haven’t seen her smile like this in a real long time, and that’s enough payment for me.”

Okay, no more. Her heart verged on full-on exploding.

Voices amplified as a few more customers entered, and Ben worked both the till and orders. She needed to hop back there before the guests mobbed him, but she wanted to elongate this conversation.

“Did Mack tell you I’m happy to look over the remodeling contract?”