"Now put some gummy bears on top!"
The little girl had somehow climbed on the counter, legs swinging over the side as she pointed to the large bin of gummy bears. Mr. Kindall gave her a Look, but he was used to it by now. Trini never seemed satisfied until she'd built a higher ice cream cone than she ever managed to build before.
"Trini," Linao finally protested, sliding tentatively toward the counter; "That looks like it's gonna--"
Splop. "...fall," she finished, cringing as a berries'n'cream scoop landed on the big man's head. "Sorry Mr. Kindall..."
"Yay!" Trini cheered obliviously, nearly sliding off the slick surface. "Now do it again."
"How about you just get chocolate now, like you said you wanted?"
From just outside, the stranger continued watching, leaning against the window quietly. That has to be wrong, somehow... Why didn't I sense her before seeing her? He made it his business to know what everyone was in his city-segment. Twisting his lip slightly in annoyance, he pushed himself up and watched the girl climb onto a table. I've got about ten minutes. Plenty of time.
ID card scanned, Linao followed Trini to the window-side table and sat, an amused smirk crossing her face. She's such a goof, she thought quietly, cheek resting against her hand as she watched the girl happily lick her ice cream. But a loveable goof. It's all Mannie and Dom's fault, the way they spoil her. The hint of a frown surfaced as she finally sat back. But who could blame them, after all they've been through?