Page 159 of Light My Fire

I just don’t know how to manage three relationships and my work responsibilities and once the conversation turned to living together, in a house miles and miles from my clinic, I mentally shut down.

But after scrubbing every inch of my apartment over several days, sleeping a solid nine hours, and having a drama-free shift this morning, I know I handled the situation from a place of panic and I need to talk to my guys.

After a pastry and some girl talk.

Pulling open the door to the bakery, the bell jingles over the door and the warm air envelopes me. The scent of baked goods and coffee is comforting and I take a deep breath. There’s an older couple browsing through the travel books in the bookstore portion and a mom with two little girls in the bakery section, seated at one of the cute little bistro tables.

There is also a couple around my age ordering from Luna, the owner of the bakery. They seem to be struggling to make a choice, pointing to multiple pastries and debating with each other.

I’ve met Luna a few times because one of her boyfriends is the Racketeers assistant coach and one is a player, so they both know my brother Blake really well. She gives me a cheerful wave.

“Elise is in the kitchen,” Luna tells me. “She’ll be right out.”

“Thanks, Luna.”

Elise appears in the doorway, dressed in one of her signature pinup outfits, this one with spring tulips all over the flared skirt and a red, short-sleeved sweater. I have no idea how she bakes dressed like that, but Elise treats every day like a pinup pageant. I admire her style, but the thought of wearing high heels on a regular basis makes me shudder.

“Brooke!” She comes around the counter and gives me a big hug.

I sag against her in relief. She’s going to understand exactly how I’m feeling.

“Coffee? Tea?”

“Coffee. And one of everything in that case.”

I’m only half-joking.

Elise laughs but gives me a look of concern as she pulls away and studies me. “Your face tells me this is a chocolate situation, not something subtle like lemon.”

“The more chocolate and the gooier the better,” I agree. “Can I help?”

“No, go sit. Text your brother and tell him we’re hanging out. He’ll love that. He is a little offended he has only seen you once since you’ve been in Chicago.”

That makes me wince.

I saw Blake at lunch with my grandmother when I first arrived, but since then, it’s been work and Wyatt, Jackson, and Luke. This is my first time seeing Elise and I’ve barely texted with Sophie and my other friends. I had one video call with my parents and some texts. My time management skills are being tested, and I’m failing miserably.

I text Blake and he responds with a brief, “Bout time. Hope work is going well.”

That makes me feel even worse. Granted, that’s how Blake texts.

Elise sets down two coffees and a plate piled high with various sweet treats. “I got us a sampling.” She sits down and immediately takes a bite of a chocolate eclair. “So… how’s work?”

“It’s fine. I love the work and I love the animals, but I feel a bit over my head dealing with the staff. I’m not used to that kind of fast-paced environment. School is totally different.”

“Is your boss an asshole?”

“Well, the veterinarians have been mostly cool to me. One is a little brisk, but I think that’s his personality. But there is a tech, Tammy, who hates me. She’s very snarky to me.”

“There will always be a Tammy at every job. You have two choices—ignore her or shut her down. I vote for shut her down.”

“I don’t know how to do that,” I tell her, honestly. “I don’t want to make an enemy.”

“She’s already made herself your enemy. Maybe she’s jealous of you.”

“I don’t know… I’m not really sure what the issue is. She hates that I get texts from the guys at the clinic.” I sip my coffee. “Which stresses me out.”

“The guys?”

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