you’re going to do about that bastard and to protect that girl,” Rosie said.
“I don’t think she wants my protection.”
“Then you’ll just have to convince her, won’t you?”
Liv wandered to the window to stare at the farmland outside. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Get her out of there, Livvie. Whatever it takes, just get her out of there.”
CHAPTER SIX
Two days later, Liv pulled her Jeep into an open parking space along the curb in front of the ToeBeans Cat Café, the coffee shop and bakery owned by her friend Alexis.
Alexis was the only person on Earth who hated Royce as much as Liv, which was probably why they’d bonded so quickly during the brief time when they’d worked at Savoy together.
Alexis had been there for almost two years when Liv started, but she’d left within a couple of months to care for her sick mom. She and Liv remained friends, though, and after her mom passed away, Liv helped her pursue her lifelong dream of opening her own place—a dream they both shared.
Judging by the line of people waiting to order when Liv walked in, business was good. Of course, it was Tuesday, and Tuesdays were always busy for Alexis, because that was the day when a local cat rescue brought in cats and kittens who were looking for homes. Alexis had a soft spot for lost things and lonely creatures.
Which was another reason she was the only logical person for Liv to turn to for help. She’d never turn Jessica away. If Alexis agreed to hire her, then Jessica would have no reason to stay at Savoy.
Liv sidestepped the back of the line. Alexis spotted her and lifted her hand in an enthusiastic wave, sending the knot of curls on top of her head into a bouncy dance. She spread her fingers wide and mouthed, Five minutes?
Liv pointed to the swinging door that led the kitchen. Alexis nodded and returned her attention to the customer in front of her. The small kitchen was bright and clean, with white subway tiles along the walls and open shelves displaying plates and bowls in rainbow colors. A single cook maneuvered feverishly between a grill and a stainless-steel counter where he assembled plates of sandwiches, salads, and pastries. He barely spared Liv a glance when she walked in. She understood. When the heat was literally on in the kitchen, there was no time for politeness.
Liv ducked out of his way and wandered to the back, where a tray of fresh scones was cooling on top of a range. They smelled like a cozy Saturday morning and a warm blanket. Liv’s stomach grumbled instinctively.
“Lemon and lavender,” Alexis explained, coming up behind her. “I’m not sure if the flavor is right yet, though. Will you taste one and let me know what you think?”
Liv picked one up and took a bite. The pastry melted on her tongue. “It’s perfect,” she breathed, wiping a crumb off her lip.
Alexis smiled in relief. “You’re sure? This is my fourth attempt.”
Liv took another bite and nodded. “Definitely put this on the menu.”
“If they have your stamp of approval, then it’s done.” Alexis untied her apron and hung it on a hook by the tiny office in the back corner. “Can you sit for a few minutes? Are you on your way to work or something? How’s Riya? You have to tell me about the plans for the cookbook release. Is Royce driving everyone crazy?”
Liv tried to keep up with Alexis’s typically frenetic rapid-fire questions as her friend opened the door to her office.
“Come on in—Beefcake, no!” An orange cat the size of a small toddler tried to escape through the narrow opening of the door. Liv shoved her leg in the way just in time to block him and earned a glare that said Beefcake would definitely try to kill her later. Another cat—a tabby named Howler—darted beneath Alexis’s desk before peeking back out with his own evil glare.
“I keep them in my office on Tuesdays,” Alexis explained, gesturing for Liv to sit down. She shut the door. “They hate the strange cats.”
Howler and Beefcake were rescues who lived in the café full-time to charm the patrons in between adoption events and, apparently, to plot murdery stuff at night.
Alexis dropped into the creaky chair behind her desk. She let out a dramatic sigh and let her head fall back against the top of the chair. “My entire body hurts. I’m only thirty. How can I hurt this much at