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comfort—it hadn’t been his intention to put her on display.
    “Lexie keeps Seb on his toes, that’s for sure,” he said, trying to set her at ease. He was rewarded when Avery’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
    “I like her,” Avery admitted, “though she always seems super busy. The only time I’ve ever talked to her is when I ordered cookies for teatime at the Inn.”
    Theo glanced back at the counter. Lexie was making a beeline for them. “You’ll get the chance now.”
    “Sorry about that,” Lexie said, handing them their menus and pushing her chestnut curls back behind her ears. “Now where were we?”
    Theo cleared his throat. “I want to formally introduce you two. Lexie Meyers, meet Avery Newbridge. Avery, meet Lexie.”
    Lexie smiled at Avery. “Thanks, Theo. We’ve crossed paths a couple of times, but we’ve never officially met. I know how thrilled Emma was to have you as her maid of honor.”
    Avery shook her head. “I was running around so much at the wedding that I barely got to meet anyone. The food you made for the reception was amazing, though. I also love your omelets,” she confessed.
    “If you’re going to compliment Buster’s cooking, it’s only fair that you meet him, too. Buster!” she yelled back into the grill room. Avery peeked around the side of the booth just as a slim, worn, middle-aged man wearing a backwards baseball cap poked his head through the horizontal window behind the counter. “This is Avery, Kate’s niece from the Inn.” Though Buster didn’t speak, he raised his hand in greeting.
    Avery gave him a little wave in return.
    “That’s Buster for you. Doesn’t talk much but definitely packs a punch.” Lexie laughed. She didn’t elaborate, but Theo understood the reference. A couple of months ago, Buster had single-handedly beaten down a group of drug dealers who were operating out of the Grange, an old farm warehouse on the outskirts of town. Buster’s calm demeanor and wiry build were absolutely deceiving. As a former fighter on the underground circuit—and a retired bouncer—Buster could hold his own. Plus, he was deeply devoted to Lexie. For that, Theo was grateful. Seb was out of town a lot, and Theo knew it comforted him that Buster was around to look after her. “Sorry, even though the place is kind of empty, I’m still a bit scattered. Too many catering events this week and next,” she said, shaking her head. “I forgot to tell you the specials. Would you like to hear them?”
    Theo looked at Avery, who shook her head. “No, thanks. I already know what I’m getting.”
    “Me, too.”
    “What would you like?” Lexie asked, pulling a pad and pencil from the pocket of her apron.
    “I think I tipped my hand already when I told you I loved your omelets,” Avery said. “I’ll have one with cheddar, mushrooms, and spinach, please. And I’d also like a hot chocolate.”
    “I’ll have the burger, medium. Thanks, Lexie.”
    Lexie jotted something down on the pad, then scribbled it out. A little crease formed between her eyebrows. “Okay, I’m really scattered tonight. What did you say you wanted again, Avery?”
    Avery gave a small chuckle. “Sounds like you could use a break.”
    “Tell me about it,” Lexie said. “My head’s been spinning for three days.”
    “Why don’t you take one, then?”
    Lexie cocked her head at Avery. “I’m thinking about taking some time off when Seb is back in town. He usually likes to help me out at the Kitchen, but a few days away from the place would be good for me. Heck, even a few hours would satisfy me at this point.” Lexie straightened her head. “But I can’t,” she said, quickly. “I have way too much stuff going on.”
    “I’ll bet you do a lot of your best creating when you’re relaxed,” Avery said, a sly smile on her face.
    “I do,” Lexie admitted.
    “And when you come back from a vacation, you’re rested and refreshed.”
    Lexie looked thoughtful. “True.”
    “Sometimes