Dare had followed as well, and he frowned, glancing at our friend. “It’s for the kids, dipshit.”
Evan pouted as if this greatly disappointed him. “That’s no fun. I was hoping the prize would be a night with the baked goods goddess.”
I shook my head, looking back at my father. But he was no longer watching Nik; he was talking to Mom, or listening, rather—nodding along to whatever it was she was saying.
Harper
Most of the party guests had already called it a night and left, but Calum’s mom, Connor, Dare, Evan, and my parents had all remained to help us with the cleanup. Well, Evan had stayed to attempt to talk to Ellery more, but at least he helped while he pursued her.
Within an hour, we had the store completely returned to normal, and the Jeep loaded up with gifts and some of the leftover food. I’d packed up the rest for everyone who’d stayed, and one for Raina and Nik. My parents had just left, taking their box of goodies with them, and the rest were beginning to gather their coats.
Calum’s father had remained, too. He was sitting at one of the tables building a new Lego set—a gift from him and Maeve—with Asher and Nik. After his extremely rude dig, he’d surprised me by playing nice. Although he didn’t go out of his way to talk to my parents or me, he kept his expression neutral, paying most of his attention to Maeve and Connor, and later…Asher and his friend, Nik.
His other grandson.
Raina’s secret weighed heavily on my shoulders, but I wasn’t able to speak about it. It wasn’t my place. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if Michael knew or at least suspected.
“Is this it?” Cal asked, pulling my gaze away from the table. He was holding the last box of decorations, watching me with intelligent eyes that seemed to miss nothing.
“Yes, thank you.” I smiled, trying to cover my unease. I wasn’t uncomfortable with Michael interacting with Asher—I was uncomfortable with keeping yet another secret from Calum, and I think he sensed it.
“I’ll be right back.” He arched a brow, heading for the street.
Evan’s voice drifted over, his flirtatious tone catching my attention for a moment. He was talking to Ellery, turning up the charm for her.
“He calls her the baked good goddess,” Dare remarked, appearing beside me. “I think he’s in it for the Danishes, to be honest.”
“Probably,” I laughed, glancing at him. “Ellery’s been called that before.”
Dare hadn’t changed much over the years. Unlike Calum and Evan, he’d stayed away from the tattoo guns. He kept his hair long, although more golden scruff decorated his jawline. He, too, had filled out more and lost the softness of youth. He was all edges and hard ridges, just like Cal—as if the two of them had spent every morning in the gym for the past nine years, and they probably had.
“Is there anything else you need us to do before we take off?” He asked, his eyes darting to the other side of the room for a moment before returning to me. I couldn’t help but notice the lingering looks he’d exchanged all evening with Connor. The unexpected chemistry between them sent my romance sensors off, but neither one had said a thing to the other all night. In fact, they’d kept to opposite sides of the room, Connor hanging near her parents and Dare keeping to the far back with Evan.
“No, thank you…you’ve done more than enough.” I smiled, picking up two of the extra boxes of leftover treats. “Take some desserts off our hands, please.”
He took the boxes and grinned. “You don’t have to tell me twice. See you around.” He inclined his head before walking briskly to Evan to rescue Ellery, who seemed amused and flattered, but otherwise uninterested.
I knew she was still thinking about Grant. They hadn’t broken up yet, but things were rocky. Dare clamped a hand on Evan’s shoulder, nodding politely at Ellery, muttering something inaudibly before the two headed for the doors.
Walking over to her, I slipped on my coat. “Thanks again, bestie,” I told her, fighting a yawn and wrapping my arms around her in a hug. It was nearly nine, and I was beat from the intense work week. Between the signing event last week and Asher’s party this week, I’d run myself ragged trying to catch up on the things I’d neglected while slacking off. If it weren’t for Ellery, I don’t know how I’d have pulled off anything.
“You know I love doing it,” she replied, openly yawning and hugging me back.
“Go to bed. I’ll lock up.” She nodded, too tired to argue. Turning, she walked toward the back off the store, punching in the code and opening the door. When the door clanged shut behind her, I walked around, turning off lights on the bookstore side, leaving the café illuminated for now, until Raina arrived.
I’d texted her when the party ended, but I figured she was taking her time, hoping to avoid having to see Michael again. Just as I was debating on texting her again, offering to bring Nik to her, the door chimed, and Raina walked in.
Her jaw was tense as she scanned the room, her lips tightening with irritation when she found Nik sitting at the table with Michael.
Nik looked over and noticed her approaching. He picked up the book he’d won during the pin the tail on the pig game and the box of treats I’d packed for them, and stood.
“I’ll see you later, Asher.” He said. Raina took the box and book so he could pull his jacket on. “It was nice to meet you, Mr. Jacobs.”
Raina stiffened—she’d yet to look at Michael directly. Now she had no choice, and her guarded gaze rose to meet his.
Michael swallowed and managed a curt nod for Nik. Raina looked away quickly, her attention focusing on Asher. “Happy Birthday, Asher.” She said, offering him a small smile before turning heel and leaving without sparing another look at Michael.
Nik followed his mother’s quick steps out of the shop. Raina made brief eye contact with me before looking away and grabbing the door, holding it for Nik before escaping through it herself.
