Connor’s mouth closes as he reaches for his phone, and looks at it. “It’s my mom. I should take this. My dad had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”
I retract my legs so he can get up. “Of course.”
He stands and strides out of the bakery. From the window, I can see him put the phone to his ear and say hello.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” A pleasant voice chimes behind me. I turn back from the window. A strikingly beautiful woman smiles at me. Her dark hair is gathered into a high bun and her expression is open and kind. She’s wearing an apron with Lady J Bakery printed on the front.
“Immensely,” I say, “I’m sure you’re aware these are the best muffins on the face of the planet.”
Her lips curve into a knowing smile. “I’ve heard that once or twice before.”
“Are you Lady J?” I ask.
“Jane,” she says, extending a hand.
I stand to shake it. “I’m Brynn.”
“Would you mind if I sit?” She gestures to Connor’s vacant seat. “I’ve been on my feet all day.”
“Please,” I say quickly, grabbing Connor’s empty muffin wrapper and putting it in the bag.
She sits down, exhaling softly. “I love this place, but by the end of the day I’m exhausted.”
Last year a statement like that would’ve meant something obscure to me, but after working with Connor, I empathize. I understand the feeling of exhaustion felt everywhere, even in your fingertips, after using your body all day long. Glancing out the window to Connor, I tell her I understand that feeling.
“Is he your boyfriend?”
I look back to Jane and see she’s looking at Connor too.
“Uh, no.” I shift in my seat, crossing one ankle over the other. “He’s a… friend.”
She chuckles softly. “Sounds complicated.”
“I wasn’t expecting to meet him.” The admittance feels good. “I had other plans.”
Something flits across her face, an emotion I can’t see long enough to name. One slender finger rubs the base of her empty ring finger on her left hand. It looks like an absent-minded action, something the body does when the mind recalls a specific memory.
“That’s the way it goes sometimes.” She drags her gaze away from Connor and back to me. “Are you from here?”
I shake my head. “Phoenix. I’m staying in Brighton currently.”
That look comes onto her face again, but this time it stays.Nostalgia. Remembrance. Regret. All wrapped up in one tormented expression. Before I can ask her if she’s okay, she opens her mouth. “Brynn, I don’t have anybody to give advice to, so I’m going to give it to you. Is that okay?”
“Sure.”
“Don’t let your plan limit you. Plans can make you short-sighted. They don’t take into account the wonderful, beautiful, messy parts of life, and you’ll end up missing them. Blind devotion to a plan can lead to regret, and regret can choke the life out of you.”
“You’re speaking from experience.”
Jane swallows and averts her eyes. “Some regrets are forgotten over time. Others, well, they last a whole lifetime.” The bell chimes and Jane looks up. “Your friend is back.” She stands and smiles at Connor, but it’s a shaky smile. Nothing like the warmth she exuded when she first approached me. “Hello,” she says to him and walks behind the counter.
He responds to Jane and sits down. Worry creases his forehead.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“My dad’s appointment was fine. Nothing new. But”—Connor pauses, the corners of his lips turning down—“my mom told me someone stopped by a few minutes ago, looking for me. I wasn’t at home, so she went to find me at my parents’ house.”
“She?” My voice is cool, even though my insides feel hot. Connor isn’t mine. I’m his employee, and we’re fucking. I have no business feeling territorial.
