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“He likes you. But he’s mad at me.”
“Mad at you? How dare he? You’re working your ass off to get sober and he’s mad? Is he bummed to lose a drinking partner?” She starts for the door. “I’ll talk to him.”
I shackle her wrist to stop her. “He’s not mad I got sober. He’s not worried about losing a drinking partner. He’s mad I broke our pact not to fall in love.”
She freezes. “What did you say?”
I pull her near and place my hands on her hips. “I love you, Mercy Keller.”
Her mouth drops open. “You love me?”
I kiss her nose. “I love you, my sassy girl.”
Her eyes narrow. “Is this some big discovery you made in rehab?”
“Nope. I knew I loved you before I left for rehab. It’s the main reason I agreed to go.”
“You didn’t agree to rehab because the band was kicking you out if you didn’t get sober?”
I sigh. “Heard about that, did you?”
“It’s Winter Falls.”
Bryan chuckles as he enters the bakery from the kitchen. “Never mind me.” He holds up two mugs. “I just wanted to get you two coffees before I leave you alone.”
I usher Mercy to a table away from the window.
“I put on the closed sign and the front door is locked,” Bryan announces as he places our drinks on the table.
Mercy stares at him. “You’re going to leave us alone? You’re not going to stand across the room and pretend not to listen?” She narrows her eyes at him. “Did you plant bugs in here?”
“I did not plant bugs.” Bryan sounds indignant. I can’t resist bursting his righteous bubble.
“I paid him to give us the bakery for an hour.”
He harrumphs. “You had to tell her?” He whirls around and flounces off. “Rockstars. I’ll never understand them.”
“You’re just mad because you hit on Adam and he turned you town,” I holler after him.
His response is to slam the back door. Such a drama queen.
“Who’s Adam?” Mercy asks.
I hate the doubt creeping into her voice. She doesn’t trust me anymore. Not after I broke my promise to her. I don’t blame her. I have to be patient while I earn her trust back.
“Remember I told you about the band I helped out while they were recording here?” She nods. “Adam is the bass player.”
“Ah.”
I sip on my coffee while I figure out how to begin. “Did you get my letters?”
“I did.”
“Did you read them or did you burn them behind Uncle Mercury’s house while he cheered you on?”
She fiddles with the edge of the table but I notice her cheeks darken. “I read them.”
“Thank you.”
