Page 35 of Bittersweet

Savannah patted him on the arm.

“I just hope she’ll forgive me, so we can at least be friends again.” He wanted so much more than that with her, but if friendship was all they could ever have again, he would accept that.

“When someone holds onto hurt and bitterness as long as she has, it takes time to let that go. But I can tell she’s loosening her grip. She’s getting there. Just be patient.”

“Thanks, Savannah.” Her reassurance was comforting.

“You’re welcome. And thank you.” She pointed at the boxes. “I hope your customers enjoy our tasty treats.”

“Well, I know I will.”

“Hey, don’t eat all the merchandise,” she scolded him as she headed for the door.

“I make no promises.”

Her laughter carried over her shoulder as she walked out.

Logan returned his attention to Wendy, who was sitting in the driver’s seat. She handed him some forms to sign and went over all the other minutia of running his business. It worked to temporarily distract him from Naya’s possible parole and his longing to see Harper again.

15

He’s avoiding me,” Harper announced as she slid a couple cookie sheets into the oven. “I know it.”

“Why would Brett avoid you?” Ginny asked.

“I don’t know, but he’s been home since last Thursday, and all I got were a couple quick texts telling me he had a lot going on right now with an important case, and he’d call me in a few days.”

“So?”

“So, its Tuesday.”

Harper didn’t know why it was bugging her so much. It wasn’t like he hadn’t left her those kinds of messages before. He always had a lot on his plate with work. But this time seemed different, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was him catching Logan in her apartment last week. Maybe it was the kiss they’d shared before he left.

“Brett is crazy about you, Harper.” Savannah looked up from the dinosaur cake she was decorating for a little boy’s fifth birthday. “I think you’re worrying over nothing.”

“I don’t know.”

“Call him if you’re so concerned about it.”

Harper shrugged and went back to working on a batch of cookies in the shape of dinosaurs for the same birthday party. T-rex and Stegosaurus were the boy’s favorite, but she threw in a few Triceratops and Brachiosauruses too.

Savannah focused on the cake again, humming as she worked. Ginny closed down the cash register for the day, then ambled across the room, straightening up the place on her way to lock the door.

“Am I too late?”

Harper looked up at the sound of Brett’s voice, loosening her grip on the icing bag in her hands.

Savannah made sure to give her an “I told you so” look.

“We’re never closed for you,” Ginny replied.

“Well, thank you.”

“Did you have a good trip?” she asked.

“I did.” His gaze traveled across the room to Harper, and he moved in her direction as the door clicked locked behind him.

She stared down at the half-decorated cookie on the counter.

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