They walked out, and the door closed behind them. The ding rang again.
“I’m sorry for Keaton and Flynn.”
Taryn typed on her phone. “You don’t have to apologize. I’ll send them a box of desserts tomorrow for what they did. I need to tell the others Brecken is safe.”
“You were right about the kid.”
Her grin, complete with dimples, lit up her beautiful face. “Told you so.”
“You did. And to make up for it, dinner is on me.”
“Sounds good.” She tucked away her phone, added the cash to a drawer beneath the counter, and locked it. “I want to go home, though. How does Chinese takeout sound?”
He was happy to do whatever she wanted. “Perfect.”
And it was. Tonight hadn’t turned out like any of them had planned, but it would end well.
*
On Monday, Tarynarrived at the bakery while the sky was still dark and the sun fast asleep. She’d taken Jayden’s shift so he could spend the day with his wife, who was off. Taryn yawned, even after sleeping several hours. She’d fallen asleep on Garrett’s shoulder after they ate last night, so he’d woken her, told her to go to bed, and kissed her forehead. And she had.
She pulled the tray of muffins out of the oven and slid in another.
The only problem?
Well, two problems.
He’d mentioned this week would be busy, and his free time would be scarce.
Translation number one: I probably won’t see you until the wedding.
And second, he would leave a week from today.
Translation number two: the fact she considered this a problem should concern her.
We’re friends hanging out, sharing hot kisses.
And if her heart bumped when she saw him or thought of him, that was because of the newness of everything. It meant nothing.
They would have to make the most of whatever time they had together before they said goodbye.
No big deal.
Maybe if she kept telling herself that, she would believe it.
She grabbed a cranberry scone off the cooling rack and bit into it.
Though probably not.
The bakery’s landline rang.
Strange. The sun wasn’t up. Who would call this early?
It might be Carl, Finley, or Brecken, so she’d better answer. “Lawson’s Bakery. This is Taryn. How can I help you?”
“Good morning, Taryn.”
She clutched the phone. “Dad? Is everything okay?”
