Both Damien and the barista turned toward the voice.
An older man emerged from a doorway behind the counter. His hair was mostly gray, and he wore a neatly pressed button-down shirt tucked into a pair of dark slacks.
There was nothing particularly remarkable about his appearance, yet the easy smile on his face made him seem immediately approachable.
The barista visibly relaxed when she saw him.
“Mr. Lawson.”
“I heard enough to know what’s going on,” the older man said with an amused chuckle before turning his attention toward Damien.
“You must be Mr. Blackwood.”
Damien raised an eyebrow slightly.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
The older man chuckled.
“No, we haven’t.”
His eyes drifted briefly toward James before returning to Damien.
“But we did receive
