Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes. I slip it from my pocket and glance at the screen.
River: Just wanted to show you that we’re doing fine.
There’s a photo attached.
Nora has two slightly crooked pigtails that look way too good for a rookie attempt. Her cheeks are sticky with strawberry yogurt, and she’s grinning, as if having an absolute ball. River’s beside her, face pressed close, blue eyes crinkled from smiling. He looks like he’s having just as much fun as she is.
Squeals erupt from around me.
“Oh my God,” Sloane gasps. “He did her hair. And it’s actually good. Like, shockingly good.”
“Are we sure this man is real?” Rina asks. “This feels more like a Hallmark movie, and I mean that in the best way.”
Lilah lifts a brow, her smile knowing. “Are you sure you’re not in deeper than you thought?”
That question makes my pulse skip and stumble in protest.
There’s no way to hide the smile that spreads across my face. “I think it’s a definite possibility.”
I type out a reply while they all watch on.
Me: Looks like you’ve got it all under control. Thanks again.
The second I hit send, Rina narrows her eyes and points at me. “That look right there. That dreamy, slightly turned-on look? That’s not casual. It’s endgame energy.”
Before I can respond, the door opens and Beau steps inside the bakery. He flashes a confident smile that makes Sloane straighten in her seat before he beelines for our table.
His gaze stays locked on mine. “Hello, Callie. Do you have a minute to talk?”
“Sure.” I rise to my feet, acutely aware of the whispering that explodes behind me the second I turn around.
We stop near the register, and Beau lowers his voice. “I spoke with Gabby yesterday. Everything’s set. We’ll start featuring your desserts at two of the restaurants next month. If the feedback’s strong, we’ll look at gradually expanding the menu.”
“That’s amazing.” A genuine smile forms. “Thank you again for the opportunity.”
He takes a small step closer. There’s a pause, and when he speaks again, his tone gentles. “I really enjoyed the other night. I know you said you wanted to keep things professional, but I was hoping you might reconsider.”
I hesitate.
Beau’s handsome. Polite. Charming in a way that feels harmless. But there’s no pull or spark between us. There isn’t a rush of heat in my chest like there is when River walks into a room.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say gently. “But I really did have a nice time.”
His smile falters just a bit, and I get the feeling this man isn’t told no very often. “Is there anything I can say to change your mind?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m sorry. There isn’t.”
He studies me for a moment, reading between the lines. “Is there someone else?”
I pause before admitting, not just to him but myself as well, “I think there might be.”
There’s a flash of disappointment in his eyes before he recovers quickly. “If anything changes, I hope you’ll let me know.”
“I will.”
With a nod, he offers a polite smile to the table, then turns and walks out, leaving behind a strange mix of relief and guilt swirling within me.
Once he’s gone, I make my way back to the table.
“Well,” Sloane says, breaking off a piece of her cruller, “that was a little hot and a lot awkward.”
Rina’s phone buzzes, and her face lights up the second she looks at the screen.
Lilah leans in, already grinning. “Hmmm. I wonder who’s got you smiling like that.”
“Excuse me?” Rina asks, a little too casually.
Lilah arches a brow. “What do we have here? A new Tinder match?”
Rina grabs her purse before rising to her feet and making her way to the door. “Just a guy with good banter. Trust me, it’s nothing serious.”
“Wait a minute, that’s all we get after I just bared my soul?” I call after her.
She glances over her shoulder with a devilish smile lifting her lips. “And don’t you feel better for it?” Then she winks. “If it turns into anything more, I’ll be sure to bring it to the circle of trust.”
With that, the door closes behind her.
Lilah sips her tea and lets out a content sigh. “Never a dull moment around here, is there?”
“Nope,” I murmur, watching the door a beat longer before turning back to the table, to the people who now feel more like family. “Not even close.”
26
River
Nora’s sticky fingers tap the glass display case, leaving behind faint smudges from the half-eaten cookie I gave her ten minutes ago. We’re in a sports shop at the mall, and the jersey I’m holding is already wrinkled from her enthusiastic attempts to help me pick it out.
She’s wearing a sparkly pompom hat that covers her ears and makes her look like a walking snowball.
The teenager working the register leans over the counter, practically swooning. “Your daughter is such a cutie, it almost makes me want one of my own.”