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I shove the second cookie into my mouth for a huge bite. He is a romantic, isn't he? I'd definitely be lying if I tried to pretend being the object of his attention isn't a heady thing, despite my past.

But two bouquets is a lot, and it triggers my anxiety once more. Is Sully merely being romantic—or love bombing?

I'm still pondering that question when Jasmine and I take Betty to our usual spot. Once in position, we do the prep we didn't finish last night and get set up for the day before opening the order window.

While Jas counts out the cash box one last time and boots up our system to accept cards, I carry out our menu sign listing the day's specials and head back inside to start cooking lunch.

I open the combination fridge/freezer and gasp when I see the inside. "Jas? Problem."

"Just a second," she says, glancing my way before going back to counting. She puts the bills back in their spot and closes the drawer. "What's up?"

I'm staring at the unit like it will magically tell me how to fix it. "Everything's either thawed or warm."

"What?"

She comes to stand shoulder to shoulder with me and groans.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. The light isn't on in the fridge, though, which means it's off, and we don't know how long it's been off. It was in the forties last night."

"We can't serve any of it?"

I shake my head. "Too risky. If someone got sick…"

"I mean, I did roll it out last night to scrub the floor. I was on an OCD kick, but I think I would've noticed if it unplugged. I mean, I hope I would've, but—I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. We'll just pivot. We will…" I take a huge breath and try to mentally change direction. "Close the window and pull the sign. We'll reopen in an hour or so. I'll grab a taxi or something to the grocery store and pick up some ice and coolers to get us through the day. We're going back to basics. We'll have to close early without refrigeration, but we can keep things iced long enough to cover lunch. While I'm gone, you get pictures of all of this before you trash it. Maybe we can salvage some cash with insurance?"

"Maybe," she murmurs, sounding stressed. "I'm so sorry, Vi. I must've damaged it when I moved it."

"It's fine. We can still save the day."

"You'll save the day. Go. You do that, and I'll get rid of this mess while you're gone."

I grab my jacket and am pulling it on when I jog down Betty's steps and hear the low roar of motorcycles. I look up to see Sully and one of the regulars at the Pelican rolling to a stop nearby.

"Hey, sunshine. Something wrong?" Sully asks, frowning.

Jas says I look grumpy when I stress, but I can't help it. I own my grumpy self as I quickly explain the situation and change of plan.

"I'll go take a look at the freezer," the man with Sully says. "See if I can fix it."

Sully opens his storage box and pulls out a helmet, holding it out to me.

"Climb on. I'll take you to the grocery and drop you off, then run home and grab my truck to pick you up and bring you back here with the supplies."

I'm at a loss for words and really want to say no. I am not a damsel in distress except—right now, I am. And this man is offering his time and changing his plans to accommodate my problem. "Sully, you don't have to."

"I know I don't have to. I want to. Come on. Let me and MacGyver do our good deeds for the day. Climb on and let's get you where you need to be."

I plop the helmet on my head and fasten the strap loosely. Sully frowns and twists on the bike, his thick fingers brushing my chin as he tightens it with purposeful intent.

"Gotta keep my girl safe."

I take a deep breath, thinking of last night. "Sully…"

He starts the bike with a few extra twists of the throttle, and I'm sure he probably thinks I intended to protest his words and shoot him down again. But right then?