Page 32 of The Damaged Hearts Bargain

She took a breath, held her head up high, and marched into the charming little bakery.

The first thing she saw was Lucy’s smile, radiant and shining in a way that made her heart swell. Jesus, she had it bad this time. Still, it was a crush and she’d had those before. Nothing she couldn’t handle.

“You came,” Lucy said.

“And we’re so glad that you did,” said another voice. Cal turned to see a plump blonde woman in a loud print dress smiling and holding out a plate. “Care for a biscuit? They’re fresh baked.”

Cal cleared her throat. “Uh, thank you?” she said.

“Nice to see you back in town,” said the woman, still unbelievably smiling.

Cal cleared her throat again. “Um, I’m Cal,” she said because she might as well get it over with. The woman obviously didn’t recognize her.

“Of course you are,” she chuckled. “And I’m Pen. Penelope Robson? You probably don’t even remember me I was so far ahead of you in school.”

“No, no, I remember,” said Cal, very confused now because Pen was still smiling.

“You’d better take that biscuit,” said another voice. “Or I’ll have to eat it for you.”

“This is Ash,” Pen said. “My fiancée and better half. Exceptwhen it comes to baking, I’m definitely the better half for that.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Cal said faintly, taking the plate that Pen was offering and wondering when the other shoe was going to drop.

Of course she recognized Pen Robson. She’d had a crush on her as soon as she’d figured out that women were her thing. Pen had been out and loud and proud and everything that Cal had wanted to be in life but had been too young and intimidated to ask for.

What she didn’t recognize was the friendliness that was happening here. Pen was more than old enough to know why Cal had left town. So why was she pretending like everything was alright?

Lucy took a step toward her. “So,” she said. “Are we getting on that bike or not?” Cal looked from Pen to Ash and then to Lucy. Lucy’s smile widened. “Told you it’d be fine,” she whispered. “Now, about that bike ride?”

All Cal could do was nod and let Lucy lead her out of the bakery.

Chapter Thirteen

Lucy eyed the bike doubtfully. Now she was here it looked a lot scarier than she’d imagined. It was big. So big she wasn’t sure she could get on the thing.

“It’s easy,” Cal said, swinging her leg over and passing Lucy a helmet. “It’ll be fine, I promise.”

“Uh-huh,” Lucy said, still eyeing the bike.

“Just swing your leg over, pretend you’re restraining a shoplifter.”

“Ha ha, very bloody funny.”

Cal turned to her. “You don’t have to do this. I can leave the bike here and we can walk to the house.”

Just for a second, Lucy considered taking the easy option. But then there was the thought of wrapping her arms around Cal. She swallowed and swung her leg up and over the bike.

“See?” Cal said. “I told you it’d be fine.”

“Huh, we learning lessons about mutual trust here?” Lucy said sourly.

Cal eyed her. “Do we need to? I mean, we barely know each other.”

“And yet here I am with my legs wrapped around you for the second time in three days.”

For a sparkling moment Lucy watched Cal’s profile. “Put your helmet on,” Cal said finally.

The engine started, the bike roared, Lucy clung on to Cal’sback, the vehicle vibrating between her legs in a way that would have been exciting if she hadn’t been just a wee bit terrified. Cal tapped her leg and Lucy didn’t know if it was to soothe her or tell her that they were off, but it was nice anyway.

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