Read Online Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse (A Cape Bay Cafe Mystery Book 1) by Harper Lin - Free Book Online Page B

you’ll have a problem with that,” Matty said, patting his stomach. “You know your baking is out of this world.”
    I waved dismissively even though I knew my baking really was good. A little humility never hurt anyone. Matty stood to leave, and I was surprisingly sad that he had to go. I knew we couldn’t linger here all day, but I enjoyed talking to him and wasn’t quite ready for it to end. I stood and gave him a hug. A piece of his hair fell down over his forehead, and I reflexively pushed it back before realizing that that was something of an intimate gesture. Matty didn’t seem to notice or mind though.
    “Guess I need to see about getting that cut, huh?” he said, sounding a little sad. “I’ll probably be joining everyone from my dad’s blacklist down the street.”
    “The barbershop’s still open though, isn’t it?” I asked. Mr. Cardosi had two part-time barbers who worked with him, old-timers like him, and they’d been working since his death. As far as I knew, Matty didn’t have any plans to close the shop, at least not until his dad’s estate was fully settled and he knew what he was dealing with.
    “Yeah, but Dad’s the only one who ever cut my hair, and I don’t think I could stand going in there and having someone else do it. It’ll be weird enough going to a stranger, but I think it’ll be easier.”
    I nodded sympathetically. I knew from experience that every day brought new reminders of a parent’s passing, and in the most unexpected of places.
    “Anyway,” Matty said, shaking his head and shaking that piece of hair back onto his forehead. This time he shoved it back. “Anyway, I’ve got to get going if I’m going to make it to work on time.”
    We said good-bye, and he left, waving at me before he let the door close behind him. I gathered up our dishes and took them to the backroom to be washed.
    “You guys have a nice chat?” Sammy asked.
    “Yup,” I said, not really feeling the need to elaborate.
    “He doing okay?”
    I looked at her. She looked as though she was back to regular good-hearted, compassionate Sammy instead of the gossipy Sammy from earlier.
    “Yeah, he’s doing okay,” I said.
    “Are you okay?” she asked.
    I was a little surprised, and it must have shown on my face.
    “It’s just—with you losing your mom so recently and all, and then finding Mr. Cardosi’s body, and you being so close to Matt—” She shrugged. “I just wanted to make sure you’re doing okay. I don’t ask enough. Some days coffee is all we talk about.”
    I stared at her for a minute then pulled her into a hug. I was actually moved by her concern for me. “Thank you.”
    Sammy rubbed my back vigorously. “That’s what friends are for.”
    Friends . Somehow I hadn’t actually thought of Sammy as my friend until that moment. She was my mom’s friend if anything, but mostly just a coworker. But Sammy really had been there for me as a friend since I’d been back in town. Everything she’d done to help me get back into the swing of things at the café and to get everything for my mother in order had been the actions of a friend, not just a coworker or an employee. I hugged her a little tighter before we let go.
    “Well, thank you for being my friend,” I said.
    Her big blue eyes smiled back at me. “I’m happy to do it. So are you going back home or are you sticking around for a while? I’m sure you can find something to do around here, but Becky and I have everything nailed down on our own if you want to go home and get a nap or something. I know this is still early for you.” She grinned. My night-owl habits were no secret to her.
    I looked around the café, which was still mostly empty. I knew the drug store wouldn’t open for at least a half hour yet and the cell phone shop would be closed for an hour or two after that, so I had some time to kill. It didn’t look as though my coffee-making skills would be in much demand for the next little while. I had plenty