“Why don’t you go on home?” Roxanne asked Kiki later that afternoon. “James is here now, and you should go out with Taren.”

Kiki shook her head. “No, but thanks. Taren’s working over the next few days at the fire station, and Abby is with Evelyn now.”

“Well, then,” Roxanne insisted. “Go on home and take Abby out Christmas shopping or do something special, just the two of you.”

Kiki smirked. “Who are you, and what have you done with my boss?”

Roxanne raised an eyebrow as her lips curled into a smile. “Don’t push it.”

A broad smile spread across Kiki’s face as she reached under the counter to...