Page 14 of The Fangirl and the Grump

No.

I heave out a sigh. That’s a problem for another day. For now, I need to get out of this house. Some fresh air will do me good, as will exploring town without all the negative and snarky comments from my so-called friends.

The thought leaves me feeling energized. Experiencing this place and the magic it holds on my own without worrying about how miserable everyone else is sounds amazing. My shift in mindset feels healing, and I suddenly realize I’m starving.

Pulling on my tennis shoes, I grab my phone and tiny backpack purse before heading outside. Closing the door, I type the code into the keypad to lock it. I stare at it for a moment, remembering Trace Bardin’s visit yesterday and his threat to unlock the door, himself. He didn’t follow through with it, of course.

And I knew I was being a bit psychotic, accusing him of being some kind of kidnapper and refusing to open the door. But I had an excuse. I was alone and out of my mind with grief and anger.

What was his excuse for being such a dick when I finally opened up for him?

My lips tilt up when I remember flipping him the double-bird salute and how satisfying it felt to slam the door while he watched. Was it childish? Definitely. Do I give a fuck? Hell, no. He deserved it.

Giving myself a firm nod to drive the point home, I spin and jog down the steps. The walk to town is a short one, and I head straight for Moonstone Mystic for some coffee and pastries. The bells over the door jingle as I walk inside, and a gorgeous brunette behind the counter looks over at me with a wide smile.

“Welcome and good morning,” she calls out as I approach. “What can I get you?”

“Hm,” I say, reading the options scrawled across the chalkboard behind her. “I’ll have a large iced caramel macchiato and a…uh…ooh. A ham and cheese croissant, please.”

“Good choice,” the woman says. “Do you want some sautéed mushrooms added to it?”

“Yes, please,” I say, my stomach grumbling loudly.

“I’m Willow,” she says with a laugh as she stretches out a hand for me to shake.

“Keegan,” I say as I take it. Releasing her, I wave my hand around. “This is a great place.”

“Thank you,” she says with a smile as she moves to make my drink. “It’s my baby.”

“You own it?” I ask, looking around with new eyes as she nods. “That’s so cool.”

Popping a lid on my cup, she sets it on the counter and says, “Breakfast is on me this morning.”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” I say, swinging my backpack off my shoulder to dig inside for my wallet.

“You can, and you will,” she says, holding up a palm. “Now, go find a table. I’ll bring your croissant out to you when it’s ready.”

“Thanks, Willow,” I say as emotion wells up inside me.

There really are nice people left in this world.

I find a table near the bar and sit down after hanging my purse on the back of the chair. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I start to open my favorite social media site. Pausing with my thumb over the screen, I change my mind and set the device down on the table. I don’t want to see any updates from my life back in Seattle. I don’t want to know what my ex-best friends are up to, if they’re moving on with their lives like they didn’t just blow mine up.

I startle as Willow slides into the chair across from me. Setting a delicious-looking sandwich in front of me, she places a matching one on the table in front of herself as well as a steaming mug filled with something the color of melted dark chocolate.

“Mind if I join you?” she asks with a grin. “Your order made me hungry, and I haven’t had a break yet this morning.”

“Of course,” I say, but she’s already picking up her sandwich and taking a big bite.

A mushroom coated in melted cheese drops to her plate, and she plucks it up with her fingertips before popping it into her mouth with a satisfied moan.

“So, what’s your story?” she asks once she swallows the bite and takes a sip of her coffee.

I hum as I chew my own first, orgasmic bite, and she smiles patiently until I wash it down with my own drink.

“My story?” I ask.

“Where are you from? What brings you to Evening Shade? How long are you staying?” she clarifies.

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