“Morning sickness. It’s been pretty rough for her. It has nothing to do with you. She wanted to be here.”
Bonnie nodded, wanting to believe him.
He gestured to the booth. “Sit. We have a lot to catch up on.”
She lowered, unable to take her eyes off him. The last time she’d seen him, he’d only been in the military for a couple of years. He hadn’t been as big or strong or…hardened.
“How are you?” she asked.
“Good. Great, actually. We had some hiccups at the park that caused us to close for a while, but we’ve reopened, and it’s been busy.”
“That’s great. And what about the woman you’re dating. Addie, was it?”
His eyes softened, the affection so immediate that she almost felt his love for her. “She’s amazing. I don’t know how I got so lucky with her. She sees my flaws and she loves me anyway.”
Noah’s smile madehersmile. Of course Addie loved Noah—he was the best guy she’d ever met. “Maybe I’ll get to meet her soon.”
“You’ll definitely get to meet her. She wanted to come today but also wanted to give you and me some time first.”
An older woman stopped by the table. “Hi, Noah. Your usual?”
He smiled at the woman. “Thanks. Mrs. Gerald, this is my youngest sister, Bonnie. Bonnie, Mrs. Gerald. She’s the fabulous owner of this place.”
Mrs. Gerald scoffed. “I’m not sure about fabulous.”
Bonnie looked up at the woman. “Your coffee is amazing.”
“Thank you, dear. That means a lot to me. What can I get you?”
“I would love a dirty chai with almond milk.”
The older woman frowned. “You might have to explain that one to me. I’ve become pretty clued in on most drinks, but I haven’t heard of a dirty chai.”
She almost forgot she wasn’t in a big city anymore. “It’s an almond milk chai latte with a shot of espresso. But if you don’t serve that—”
“No, I can do it. It’s good for me to learn new things.” The woman grinned before walking away.
One side of Noah’s mouth lifted. “Fancy.”
“No. Not fancy. Nothing about me is fancy.”
His smile softened. “I can’t believe you’re home.”
“Me neither.”
“Tell me about your job.”
She lifted a shoulder. “It’s similar to my last. I organize the programs for women at the shelter.”
“How’d you get into that?”
“I started by working night shifts at a women’s shelter in San Franscisco. I got some certificates and became the program manager. I was there for my entire time in San Fransico.”
He shook his head. “I’ve missed so much.”
Pain cut into her chest. Her fault. It was her fault he’d missed her life. And her fault she’d missed his. “I’m sorry.” Two words she’d wanted to say so many times over the years. “I’m sorry I ran. I’m sorry I stayed away for so long. I’m sorry for so many things.”
He reached over and slipped his large warm hand over hers. “Why did you run?”
