Page 19 of Play Pretend

“That’s okay. I don’t have to be up early.” He was eager, like a puppy, and I bit my lip.

Maybe I should just say yes. Would it really be the worst thing in the world to go on a date with a cute guy? But the words just wouldn’t come.

A sigh left me, and I smiled softly. Apologetically. “I’m not really looking to date right now,” I murmured.

“It’s not a date.” His voice wavered, but he didn’t stop. “It’s just two people sharing a meal or a drink or…literally anything you want. We can do anything.”

Someone behind him grumbled a little louder. “I don’t think so,” I said, my smile tightening. “But thanks for the offer.”

“Is everything okay over here?” Gracie asked, sidling up beside me. She rested her hip on the counter, her posture casual and effortless, but I could tell she was on high alert. Her eyes lingered on him, assessing. Scrutinizing.

“It’s all good. He’ll have an iced matcha and a cinnamon roll.” I gestured toward Braydon, who looked irritated at the blow off, but I’d already said no twice. What did he expect?

Giving him his ticket, I watched as he moved to the pickup counter, his gaze burning a hole into the side of my head. With a deep breath, I helped the next customer. Even after he got his food and drink, Braydon lingered, staring at me, watching, but I was too busy to care.

I shook him off as I took orders, and once the line died down, I helped Gracie run them to tables. Somewhere along the way, Braydon left, and as soon as he did, I felt like I could finally breathe again.

The next few hours passed by in a blur of coffee, pastries, and customer-service laughs. And, by the time the Sugar Shack was empty, exhaustion weighed heavy on my chest. I rested my forearms on the counter, my eyelids drifting shut. A deep breath filled my lungs as I listened to Gracie flit around the kitchen, finishing cleaning up.

“Do you ever rest?” I muttered, and she huffed out a laugh.

“I’ll rest when I’m dead.”

“That’s healthy.” I glanced at her as she washed a pan in the sink, her back to me. She worked harder than anyone I’d ever met. A part of me envied that work ethic—maybe if I had just a small piece of it, my father would get off my back. As if on cue, the bell chimed, indicating a new customer had come in, and I groaned softly. “I love that your shop is so popular, but my feet freaking hurt.”

I didn’t have it in me to work like she did. Don’t get me wrong—I worked long hours and hardly sat, but I hated it. Gracie seemed to thrive. I didn’t hate workinghere, I just hated…not having a purpose of my own.

My life was full of people who had found their passions, who seemed to know exactly who they were. Hell, even Ronan knew who he was—he was a sheriff, a peacemaker, a protector. What was I?

Whowas I?

“It’s for me,” she laughed, shutting the water off. I blinked, my thoughts floating away on a phantom wind. She stopped at the mirror by the kitchen door, fixing her wild mess of curls on her head before snatching a lipstick from her apron pocket.

She smeared it on her lips and dabbed some on her cheeks, giving her a little color. That got my attention, and I pushed off the counter.

“Who is it?” I asked, but she ignored me as she strolled into the front, leaving me gaping after her.

What was that about?

Or the better question was:whowas that about?

I rushed out, ready to tease her when I skidded to a stop, nearly tripping. “Hey, Willow,” Benny said, rubbing the back of his neck. Pink tinged his cheeks as he flicked his eyes between Gracie and me.

His ginger hair was cropped on the sides of his head, and longer, slicked back on top. A thick beard coated his strong jaw, and his smile was warm and kind. He was a gentle giant, towering over everyone in town, but I didn’t think he’d ever hurt a fly. He owned the barbershop, aptly named Benny’s Barber Shop, but kept mostly to himself. I didn’t know him all that well, and up until this moment, I didn’t think Gracie did, either.

“Um, hi, Benny.” I stared at my best friend, but she was too busy keeping her gaze carefully away from mine. “What can I get you?”

“I’m helping him,” Gracie rushed out, still not looking at me. Her dimples fought to be set free, but she didn’t let herself smile. “I’ve got it. You can, um…” She finally turned my way, and for the first time in forever, a bright smile spread across her face.

It was a genuine smile. Her eyes twinkled, fine lines showing around them, but it was the happiness radiating from her like a warm summer afternoon that made my breath catch. I couldn’t remember when she’d last looked like that—if she’deverlooked like that.

Tossing my thumb over my shoulder, I gave them a weak smile and backed slowly into the kitchen. Her laughter carried to me as the doors swung closed, and I let out a long breath.

Apparently, my best friend was seeing a man sixteen years older than her.

Go, bestie.

I was happy for her—truly, I was—but a part of me was…jealous? That felt like too strong of a word. It wasn’t that I wanted to be with Benny, or that I was upset that she was happy. It was just…

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