In The Shadows ✔

[82] Best gift

They arrive at the cafe and walk in through the back door. Grazia walks into the kitchen, holding dirty dishes and quickly puts them down on the table. She wipes her hands on her apron and goes straight for the stroller. She looks at the sleeping Leo and smiles.

"Scorpia, what a beautiful child."

Scorpia proudly looks at her sleeping son and says: "Yes, we think so too. Did things go well here?"

Grazia looks at Logan and says: "It went great here, I would love to work here again."

Logan looks at her and asks: "And how often are you thinking here?"

Aunt Grazia looks surprised and says: "I don't mind working an evening every once in a while, but I prefer working daytime to be honest. I've worked around drunk people for years, but I'm getting a bit older."

Logan nods and asks: "And part-time? Or more? What would be ideal for you? We're closed on Monday morning and Sundays.

Grazia says: "I can work eight hours straight. That's no problem. But if I'm really honest I'd rather not work on weekends either."

Logan thinks and says: "Okay. Monday afternoon and from Tuesday to Friday from ten to six. How does that sound?"

Grazia beams and says: "That would be awesome. I have one question though."

Logan waits patiently till she asks her question, looking at her with a friendly expression on his face.

"Am I allowed to use the ovens here to bake? I will serve what I bake in the cafe of course. I just love baking cakes and pies."

Logan laughs and says: "Go right ahead. As long as your work doesn't suffer from it, you can bake all you want."

She hugs Logan and runs back into the cafe.

Logan chuckles and says: "I love enthusiastic people."

"You gave her joy in her life again, thank you."

She hugs him and tries to hide how much her stomach and ribs hurt. Logan kisses her head and holds his breath for a bit. Scorpia notices and looks up at him.

"We're probably black and blue tomorrow. Do you have any painkillers down here?"

Logan walks over to a drawer and pulls it open. He fills a glass with water and hands her the painkillers. She takes two at once and hands them and the glass to Logan.

Logan raises his eyebrow and she pokes his ribs with his index finger. He bites his lip and frowns.

"Being stubborn doesn't help, handsome Scot."

He takes two of the painkillers too and puts the package back into the drawer. Scorpia carefully lifts Leo from the stroller and clenches her jaw. She avoids Logan's gaze and says: "I'm going to put him to bed. I'll be right back."

She walks through the door at the other end of the cafe and forces her body up the stairs. She tucks Leo in lovingly and turns the baby monitor on. She picks up the receiver and goes downstairs again.

She walks back into the cafe and sees Logan and Marco discuss something. She makes her way over to one of the benches next to the window and sinks down on it. She breathes out slowly and feels relieved that the painkiller is starting to kick in. She closes her eyes and rests her head against the back of the bench.

She hears the sound of a cup being set down in front of her and opens one eye. Dino's sitting down across from her and he has placed a cappuccino in front of her. He studies her face while sipping his own coffee.