Page 45 of A Dash of You

Smiling is all I manage. Not knowing what to say. Logan and I are nothing. Not even sure I can call us friends at this point. Acquaintances are more like it.

Still… the idea of him and Claire makes my stomach roll.

I quickly make my way back to the café, not stopping for anything. Especially crazed women who want to verbally attack me. I was gone far too long, and the lunch hour rush has already begun.

I help Shelby up front before whipping up a quick batch of my brownies, topped with chocolate drizzle and a misting of powdered sugar.

“My goodness. I can’t believe how slammed we were today.”

I tuck a piece of loose hair that has fallen back behind my ear and hang my apron over the hook. “This is definitely one of our busier afternoons.” Though most days are busy. I clear my throat. “Um, Shelby… ever think of hiring extra help? I knowmoney is tight, but if you can manage it, it might not be such a terrible idea.”

She contemplates the suggestion. “Well… business has picked up a lot and I suppose we can afford it now.” With a sigh, Shelby finally agrees. “I guess hiring a front employee wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

Oh, thank God.

I don’t mind helping, but I really want to put my full attention into baking. That is my job.

“You won’t regret it.” I smile, placing a hand on her shoulder, her patting the top of it in return.

After my shift, I take in the scent of the fresh summer air as I walk down the sidewalk to my car. It’s another scorcher today, but the air feels lighter, more at home recently. Each day it grows easier, like this is where I’m meant to be and meant to stay. I can sense it. But I’m trying not to get ahead of myself because when something great happens, something bad happens in return.

Back at Lana’s, I fill her in on what happened with Claire.

“I always hated that bitch. It’s weird how obsessed she is with him. He wouldn’t go for her, anyway. Not in a million years.”

My insides smile at that. “Why wouldn’t he go for her?” And why am I happy about it? I just don’t want him to be with someone like her.

Lana puts a dab of mustard on her salmon burger.“For one, Claire is not his type.” She pauses, then swallows a bite. “And two… come to think of it, I haven’t seen Logan with anyone since Charlotte.”

Curiosity stabs its sharp teeth into me. “Who’s Charlotte?” I lean forward, itching for the details. She must be the ex-girlfriend Claire was talking about.

“Her and Logan were pretty serious. She was around for about a year before well, she wasn’t. Ended kind of sudden.”

My shoulders sag and curiosity roars through me. “Was she pretty?” Where did that come from? Though I nibble at my lip, waiting to find out.

Lana raises a curious brow. “She was. But don’t worry, you are way prettier.” She takes a drink from her,I love my cat,mug. Lana doesn’t even have a cat.

Heat rushes to my face. “That’s not why I’m asking.” Of course, a lie. Wondering what she looked like is eating me alive. I mean, to be with Logan, she’s probably drop dead gorgeous. Even though that sounds shallow, and Logan is a good man.

“Sure.” She smirks while stretching back in the chair.

Time for a subject change.

“At the studio all night again? I didn’t hear you come home last night,” I ask.

Lana yawns. “I wanted to finish my painting, so I just crashed there.”

She’s been spending a lot of time at the art studio. It makes me happy she has something to be enthusiastic about. I guess I found that too in baking again.

“Hey listen. Don’t bring up Charlotte to Logan. I know the town talks, but no one really knows what happened. Just that it ended pretty badly and messed him up good.”

A rush of sadness runs through me. “Of course. I won’t say anything.”

Lana nods. “Good. The town has finally stopped gossiping about it after nine months, and I’d hate to stir that pot again.”

Okay. So, this is a recent breakup. Fresh wounds. Did he still love her? I have so many questions.

“All right. I’m going to go shower. Do you want to hit up the pub tonight?” Lana pushes her chair in, and I hesitate to say yes because the thought of large crowds still makes me nervous.

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