Natalia rolls her eyes. “Do you really think a bakery is going to be blasting music? A DJ doesn’t automatically mean that the music is going to be loud, idiot.”
Okay, well, she could have done without the insult, but that’s okay.
“I—” the man sputters, clearly unsure of what to say to that.
“If I give you something to complain about, then come over here. But I’m sick of you making issues from nothing.” Natalia comes out from around the counter, wiping her hands on her apron. “I’ve lived here my whole life. And you?” She scoffs. “A damn transplant. Not only that, but you’re a fuckinglawyer.Do you really think that starting issues with someone who’s lived here forever is going to go over well, old man?”
He starts to back off, his bitchy glare enough to kill a guy.
He huffs off with a cough, stomping back to his office.
“What a pussy,” Natalia mumbles with an eyeroll, going back to her task.
“What the hell was that?”
It was insane, that's what it was. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man randomly come into a store and demand something that hasn’t even happened yet.
“I’m telling you. I think that his wife probably just left him or something, I don’t know. The guy is grumpier than grandpa was at the end, and that’s saying something.” Her eyes widen. “It’s nothing that I can’t handle, though.”
And I believe her.
Once the baked goods are done, we set up everything else. Food is delivered from the catering company, balloons and flowers are set up at every table, and a small raffle is set up with gift cards to other local shops.
The two of us stand back to examine our work, a sense of pride swelling in my chest.
Natalia’s hand reaches for mine, squeezing it as we lock fingers.
“We always did make a great team, didn’t we?”
My smile breaks free, and I squeeze her hand back. “We really did. I’m happy that you came back into my life.”
Her head rests on my shoulder. “I’m happy you’re back in mine, too.”
A beat passes.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
I shake my head.
“No, I am. I should have followed up. I should have reached out more. There was just so much going on, and taking care of Grandpa was a full-time job, you know? And then he was gone, and I was just swept under?—”
“While I was hurt,” I start, taking a deep breath. “I won’t pretend to know how hard it was for you two. But you went through hell, and I’ve only heard a few pieces of it. I’m sorry that I’ve been so rough on you.” I swallow. “On both of you.”
We let a few moments go by before she drops it, asking, “So, speaking of, are you going to stay with my brother after all of this?”
It feels like I walked into a glass door.
“I’m not sure,” I tell her honestly. “I’d like to, but I’m not the only one who gets to decide. And part of me is still hurt, you know?”
She nods. “I know. But I think that at some point, you have to accept that everyone is deeply flawed and live in the moment. Do you love him?”
I think about it.
I do. But I’ve always loved him. Even when I hated him and wanted nothing to do with his stupid face, I loved that boy with my whole heart.
The door opens before I can answer, and most of the team walks in.
And I mean it. If they weren’t on a vacation to the Bahamas this week, Cooper made them make the trip here.
