Page 25 of The Bride and the Baker

Lee scowled.

“How about everyone leaves me alone? I’m allowed to be in a funk for a while, aren’t I?”

“But why are you in a funk?”

“I should be asking why my family choose to be nosy when I want to be left alone,” Lee shot back.

Myra arched an eyebrow.

“My, we’re testy today, aren’t we?”

Lee groaned. She was going to keep pushing it, and Lee knew he was going to crack. Three of his siblings were cops, and Myra was probably the best one of the lot. Which didn’t make him feel any better.

“Did you come in for something, Myra? It may be quieter right now, but we are very busy.”

“I can see that,” Myra said tartly. “I’d like a couple of loaves of bread, some hot dog buns, and four jam donuts.”

“You have a party or something?”

“It’s Carlo’s birthday, so we’re getting things for a barbecue. His family are visiting for the first time since before lockdown.”

“Ah.” Lee understood. “They’re not really aware of your arrangement.”

“They know about it, but they’ve not seen him. His parents are open-minded, and they’ve said as long as he’s happy they don’t mind what he does.” Myra shuddered. “It doesn’t stop me from feeling nervous, though. I’ve met Jordan’s parents, and Chris’ mom is around quite a bit, but Carlo’s family…let’s just say not all of them are liberal.”

Lee could imagine how tough it was for his sister. She had devoted herself to work and ended up being the rock-hard cop everyone knew. She considered herself too much to handle, and she was right. Lee had seen Myra’s interaction with Jordan, and figured he would be able to tame her, but he hadn’t expected Carlo and Chris to get involved as well. He wasn’t about to ask the details about it, but it seemed to work for them, and Myra was certainly happier. Who was he to mess around with something like that?

He needed to stop thinking about relationships. It was making him think about Daisy, and that just put him in another low mood.

“I’ve just finalized the contract with Daisy,” Myra said as Lee got two loaves of bread off the shelf

Lee almost dropped the bread.

“What? What contract?”

“To stay in my apartment as my tenant. She says it’s more central for work, and given the current market she wouldn’t get any better.”

“Can she afford the rent on the place?”

Myra smiled.

“She’s got it at a reduced rate. On condition she teaches me how to play the saxophone.”

“Saxophone? You?” Lee arched an eyebrow, popping the bread on the counter. “Aren’t you a bit old to be learning an instrument?”

“You’re never too old. Daisy’s oldest beginner is in her sixties. It’s perfectly possible.” Myra peered at him. “I thought you knew she was going to stay.”

“I don’t know. We haven’t spoken for a while.”

“You’ve dropped out of her life now she doesn’t live across the hall?”

Lee growled, glaring at his sister.

“It’s not like that, Myra. Don’t make it sound like I’ve done something wrong.”

“So, it was Daisy who did something wrong?”

“No. At least, I don’t know.”

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