Chapter 7
7
LOTTIE
L ast night.
What happened last night?
It’s been a while since I’ve looked deeply into a man’s eyes over an alcoholic beverage. Lottie from a few days ago would be squealing in the kitchen of Bruno’s Diner, spilling all the details to Tish and Mika, but current Lottie is a little... conflicted.
Scott’s a hot single dad. That’s great!
His kid is adorable. That’s great, too!
He likes my kid. That’s fucking awesome!
But he bought my bakery. And for that, he must die.
I want that bakery more than anything. I’ve saved every penny, worked every extra hour I could. I’ve worked my tight little ass off. Every waking moment not spent being a mother has been devoted to this dream.
And he took it from me.
I should hate him.
But… I don’t.
How could I?
I sigh and bite into my cracker, my back pressed lightly against the break room lockers.
“Yo, Lottie!” Tish pokes her head into the back. “You’ve got a visitor.”
I wipe the crumbs off my lip. “Who?”
“I’m not sure. Some lady in a suit. But she asked to sit in your section.”
I shove my half-eaten packet of crackers back into my locker and walk out of the back room. I instantly spot the woman in question sitting in the corner booth; the only person here I’ve never seen before in my life. She’s not a local, that’s for sure.
She has long black hair that falls elegantly over her shoulders. The ends of it blend into the jet black of her suit jacket and blouse. As I approach, she looks up at me through blue-rimmed glasses and smiles, highlighting the classic beauty of her face, her features bathed in sunlight.
“Hello,” she says, quickly standing up. “Are you Lottie Linney?”
“Uh, yeah,” I answer. “Can I help you?”
“My name is Summer.” She extends her hand, presenting a business card. “I’m a friend of Scott Smolders.”
I take the card, her title instantly making me stand upright. “You’re the family law attorney he mentioned?”
“I am. He’s told me all about your case?—”
“Already?”
She smiles, showing off a pair of perfect cheekbones. “He was rather concerned about your situation. And, frankly, so am I. Do you have a minute to talk?”
I glance around for Bruno’s sharp eyes. “Technically, no.”
“I promise I won’t take up too much of your time.”
I give the diner another once over, thankful for the current lull, before sliding into the booth across from her.
“Lottie,” Summer says, “it’s my understanding that you and you ex have shared custody of your son?”
I nod. “Well, nothing official or anything. We trade off, mostly, depending on each other’s schedules.”
“You were never married?”
“No, ma’am.”
She smiles. “You don’t have to call me that. Summer is fine.”
“No, Summer,” I say. “We never married.”
“That’s good. It makes this significantly easier.”
“Makes what easier?” I ask.
“Ensuring what happened yesterday never happens again,” Summer says, her eyes sharper. “He abandoned your child in a place where he couldn’t guarantee his safety, Lottie.”
I look down. “I know.”
“As a mother myself, I can imagine how terrifying that was for you.” She flashes a friendly smile. “You’re lucky to have gained a wonderful new neighbor when you did.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Scott’s been… surprisingly helpful.”
“He’s a valuable witness for your case,” she says. “He’s already agreed to testify, should it go that far.”
My chest clenches. “Okay...”
Summer leans forward slightly. “I know this might seem fast.”
“Oh, yes.”
“But we have to be quick if you want to keep your son safe,” she says. “The sooner we petition the court, the better.”
I swallow hard as the entry bell chimes behind me.
“Mommy!”
Summer’s professional face quickly fades, and she beams as she slides out of the booth. I turn and watch as a child races across the diner and into Summer’s open arms.
Sonya.
Behind her, Scott widens his stride to catch up with her, his hand wrapped around Liam’s. As my child sees me, he rushes forward as well, running to meet me at the table.
“Hey,” I say, standing up and welcoming his little embrace around my knees. “This is a surprise.”
Scott approaches, his eyes on Sonya and Summer. “Thought we’d swing by for lunch since Summer was stopping in,” he says to me. “Sonya’s been missing her something fierce.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Summer says as she holds Sonya tightly. “How’s my baby girl?”
Sonya doesn’t answer. She just squeezes tighter.
Summer throws on a pout and smiles at us. “So shy. Just like Daddy.”
I arch a brow at Scott and mouth, “Shy?”
Scott shakes his head, but doesn’t argue with it.
“And you,” Summer says as she stands, her eyes downward, “must be Liam.”
I run my fingers through his hair. “Yes,” I answer. “This is my son, Liam. Liam, this is... Sonya’s mom.”
He looks up at her. “Hello.”
“Hello,” Summer says. “It’s nice to meet you.” She looks at me. “What a cutie.”
“Thanks,” I say. I look at Scott. “Well, I have to get back to work, so?—”
“You go ahead,” Summer says. “We’ll watch him.”
“Yeah,” Scott says. “And then I’ll take him back with me and we’ll catch up when you’re off?”
I nod. “Yeah. Sure.”
Summer and Sonya slide into the booth together, while Scott sits down with Liam across from them. I give my son a kiss, promising to bring his favorite sandwich when I return.
“Hot damn,” Tish says, peeking through the doorway as I head toward the kitchen.
“What?” I ask.
“Is that Scott’s ex?” she asks.
“Yeah. Why?”
She whistles. “There’s a hot new single mom in town.”
I deflate.
Yeah, Tish.
I noticed.