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“Of course.”In the morning, in my kitchen, after…

Joan took a hearty sip. A really hearty sip for a piping hot drink. Her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s good.”

“I thought you’d like something with a little kick.”

“Yeah. Whoa. Itiskicky. In a good way.”

“Would you like something to eat?” Sadie asked. Amit brushed past to get to the cold brew.

“I just ate. Maybe next time.” Joan reached into her front pocket. “How much do I owe you?”

Sadie waved a hand. “On the house.”

“No, no. I pay my way.”

Joan pulled out a twenty. Hmm. She’d paid in cash on Saturday, too. Did she even have credit cards? Could she get one, or was this an easier way for her to keep a low profile? How did she make money, anyway?

Sadie moved to the nearest tablet to ring her up. She made a slight show of it so Amit would notice. Joan was so clearly not using her for anything.

“Keep the change,” Joan said.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Why, thank you.” Sadie sent her an appreciative glance. “Gorgeousanda good tipper. My, my, my.”And a Superhero. The complete package.

Joan grinned, then looked around. “I like your design ideas for Sadie’s Café better than this. Something more colorful.”

“You’re into color?” Sadie said…to the woman wearing salmon-colored pants.

“I like a bit of chaos in my life.”

They stepped to the edge of the counter. Sadie slid a cute (and practical) rainbow-striped tennis shoe toward Joan’s bright blue sneakers. “You do like a pop of color.”

“I do.” Joan lounged sideways against the counter. “Are we still on for tomorrow night?”

“I still have tomorrow off, right, boss?” Sadie said to Amit.

He pursed his lips. “We’ll see.”

“That means yes.” She gave him a dirty look.

Joan leaned in. “I can’t wait to make you dinner,” she murmured.

“I can’t wait for you to cook for me.” Sadie peered over her shoulder at Amit. “Did you get that? She’s cooking for meinside her apartment.”

He grumbled and waited on the next customer.

Joan’s citrusy fragrance mingled with hot coffee and milk. “Hopefully I won’t have any kind of work emergency.”

Nodding vigorously, Sadie said, “Of course. I understand if you have work emergencies.”

“They do crop up.”

“I totally understand. You don’t have control over…”

“Client activity,” Joan supplied.