Jacob nodded, his throat tight with emotion. His gaze lingered on the older woman in the floral cardigan, who stepped closer and gave him a knowing smile. “Now,” she said, her voice soft but insistent, “why don’t you grab that beer, too?” Jacob blinked, startled. “What? No, ma’am, I couldn’t—”
“Nonsense,” she interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. “Everyone needs to relax once in a while. You’ve got enough on your plate. Go grab it, and we’ll cover that, too.” The cashier, still standing behind the counter, smiled encouragingly. “It’s still set aside if you want it.”