But now, here she was, standing just inside the doorway, clutching her purse strap like she wasn't sure she should have come.
Hannah forced a smile, something fragile and hopeful curling in her chest. "Mrs. Matthews."
Eleanor nodded once, approaching the counter. "Good morning, dear."
The words felt normal. Like they always had before.
Hannah's fingers curled slightly against the counter. Careful. Don't get ahead of yourself.
"The usual?" she asked, already reaching for an apple Danish.
Eleanor hummed in confirmation. "Yes, please."
Hannah wrapped the warm pastry with familiar hands, keeping her expression neutral. She wouldn't react. Wouldn't expect?—
She grabbed for a plain paper bag.
"Actually, dear?—"
Hannah's heart thudded.
She lifted her gaze slowly, afraid to move too fast. Afraid to shatter the moment.
Eleanor's fingers tapped lightly on the counter. "The usual bag is fine."
The usual bag.
Not the plain one.
Hannah couldn't breathe.
Her hands moved on autopilot, tucking the pastry into one of Sugar & Spice's signature brown bags, the logo printed proudly on the front. Not something to be hidden. Not something to be ashamed of.
She set it on the counter between them, but Eleanor didn't take it right away. Instead, she looked at Hannah, her gaze softer than it had been in a long, long time.
"I've been coming here for years." Her voice was quiet but firm. "And I think I forgot that for a while."
Hannah swallowed hard. "I?—"
Eleanor's lips twitched. "Don't make a fuss about it now, girl."
A breathy, half-hysterical laugh caught in Hannah's throat. She shook her head, pressing her lips together, nodding.
She wouldn't make a fuss.
She would just remember this moment.
Eleanor placed exact change on the counter, picked up her bag, and turned to leave. But before she reached the door, she glanced back.
"One more thing."
Hannah looked up quickly, her chest aching, her fingers still gripping the counter.
Eleanor tilted her chin slightly toward the window. "Tell that fireman of yours to stop pretending he's not watching from across the street."
Hannah's breath caught.
Her gaze flickered past Eleanor, to the sidewalk outside.
