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“You didn’t hear what I’ve been saying, did you?”
“Oh.” I rub my eyes. “I’m sorry, I must have zoned out for a second there. What were you saying?”
“I asked if you’d like to have dinner with us tonight. Charlie’s cooking.”
“Oh, thanks, but no. I already have plans.”
“Oh really?” Elena’s eyes light up. “With whom?”
“Does it have to be with someone?” I roll my eyes, sliding off the stool. “I just plan to curl up in bed, watching a movie and finishing a whole bag of tortilla chips by myself.”
“Oh.” Elena nods, scratching the side of her arm. “Yeah, that, um— that sounds like a good plan.”
“Can you be more sarcastic?”
“Yes, I can.” She laughs. “Well… in that case, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, sure.”
She turns her gaze down to the glass case containing the pastries. “I promised Brooke I’ll snag her some chocolate cupcakes.”
I hand her a plastic bag for the cupcakes and walk over to flip the Come in, we’re open sign to Sorry we’re closed. Elena circles the counter and hugs me before walking out of the shop. I return to my seat, pulling out the cash register.
The bell jingles as the door swings open.
“Did you forget something, Elena?” I ask without looking up.
She doesn’t answer. I recount the money in the register, scribbling the balance into my invoice.
“Wow.”
I freeze. That voice. It doesn’t belong to Elena. It’s someone else, someone I wouldn’t expect to be here. Not again—not in a million years. My head snaps up to the person standing in the center of the shop, looking around.
“Rachael?”
She turns her gaze to me, her lips curling up in a sly grin. “Hello, Kaylee.”
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Oh, you know…I was in the neighborhood, and I just thought I’d stop by.”
I raise a brow and she snickers. “Okay fine. I didn’t just stop by.” She waves me off. “My shop is right across the street from yours.”
I drop the money and invoice in the register, slamming it shut. “You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.”
“Oh come on, Kaylee, can’t friends check on friends?” She tries to keep a straight face, but she snickers again. “Damn… you should have seen your face.”
“I need you to leave, Rachael,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, sure.” She holds up her hands in surrender. “I’m just kinda surprised. I didn’t know you could get out of your own way and do what it takes to improve your business.”
“What’re you talking about?”
“The shop!” she chuckles. “For the first time, it actually looks kinda nice.”
I roll my eyes, folding my arms.
“You know,” she continues. “If you had done this months ago…well, maybe you won’t have lost so many customers to me.”
