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“When did you start listening to sappy songs?” He raises a brow. “Is there a woman you’re not telling us about?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Just change the damn song.”
What the hell was I doing? Five minutes in Gainesville and I’m already harboring inappropriate thoughts about my best friend’s sister. Dylan pours more drinks. He hands one to me and raises his glass.
“To Ian’s return.” He takes a swig of his drink and drops on a couch with a satisfied sigh. “I’m glad you’ll be around for my next gallery viewing. And you get to see Kaylee’s pastry shop too. It’s quaint.” He turns to her. “Tell him about it, Kaylee.”
“It’s…lovely. Having my own little corner is quite satisfying.”
She chews on her lip, gaze turning distant.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
Kaylee drops her glass. “Being an entrepreneur isn’t as easy as I had hoped.”
“Don’t tell that to Mom. She thinks you could’ve made CEO if you’d stayed at A & Sons for a couple more years.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “I was an assistant! The chances were slim to none. Plus, I never wanted the corporate life anyway. I only thought I did. At first.” She sighs and adds, “The thrill didn’t last very long.”
“Doesn’t sound like being an entrepreneur is that thrilling either,” Dylan says.
Then what she said hits me. I sit up.
“You worked at A & Sons? Andrews & Sons?”
Kaylee shoots me a weird look. “Um, yeah…for about a year and a half. Why?”
I clear my throat and peer into my glass, the wheels turning in my head. Kaylee worked for Barrett Andrews. How did I never know that?
“Nothing.” I pause. “What was your job description?”
“Executive assistant.” She waves it off. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m a baker now.”
Somehow, it’s hard to picture Kaylee working right next to that snake. My jaw clenches at the thought. If she worked for him —
“What do you intend to do while you're here?” Kaylee asks, interrupting my thoughts. “Gainesville hardly contains enough adventure for you.”
“Ian’s here to work,” Dylan says, picking up his phone. “He's always working...oh.” His face spreads into a goofy grin, grabs his drink, and stands. “Be back in a sec.”
“If I didn't know better, I'd say your brother’s trying to get us to be alone.”
Kaylee chokes on her drink, coughing. Wrong joke. She clears her throat and laughs awkwardly.
“Um, yeah.” Her laugh is awkward. “He’s been very easily distracted since he met Jessie. He’s always texting her at the table during our Sunday family dinners. It’s like he’s a teenager with a crush.”
Her gaze averts from mine, and she touches her neck. We’re silent for a few minutes. I guess she’s thinking about what almost happened earlier.
“I ran into your mom at the mall the other day. She didn’t tell me you were coming back. I’m sure she’s excited by your arrival.”
My chest squeezes, and I frown. It’s been four hours since I got to Gainesville, and I haven’t yet told my mom of my arrival.
“…I’m sure you returned to spend more time with her. She must’ve missed you a lot.”
Kaylee stares at me with an expectant smile, like she expects me to launch into a long chat about my mom, and how glad I am to be back. My phone buzzes. Just the right moment.
“Excuse me. I have to get this.”
Chapter Three: Kaylee
