And for the first time in months—maybe years—I feel like everything might actually be okay. Like maybe, just maybe, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
With exactly who I’m supposed to be with.
CHAPTER 16
KieraEmmerson
Thursday, June 3
The register beepsas I scan another loaf of sourdough, and I’m only half paying attention because my mind is approximately three miles away on a beach lit by moonlight.
River’s hand in mine. The way the ocean looked bathed in moonlight. How we walked for an hour after Kiki picked up Skyler, just talking about everything and nothing. The way he looked at me when we stood still, like he was memorizing my face.
And of course our kiss.
My lips curve up without permission, and I catch my reflection in the bakery window. I’m grinning like an idiot. An actual grin, not my usual smirk or sarcastic half-smile. A full, genuine, dopey grin that makes me look like I’ve lost my mind.
I should probably be more concerned about that.
“That’ll be eight fifty,” I tell the customer, trying to compose my face into something more professional.
The woman hands me a ten, and I make change on autopilot. My thoughts drift right back to last night. To me telling River about my past… the things I don’t talk about. To the way he listened like every word mattered.
To how safe I felt. How seen.
The bell above the door chimes as the customer leaves, and I’m alone in the front of the bakery for exactly twelve seconds before Levi pushes through the swinging door from the kitchen. He’s carrying a tray of gluten-free cream puffs, their tops dusted with powdered sugar.
He takes one look at me and stops dead in his tracks.
His eyebrows climb toward his hairline. “Why are you grinning like that?”
“I’m not grinning.” But even as I say it, I can feel my traitorous face doing exactly that.
“You’re grinning.” He sets the tray on the counter beside the register, studying me with the kind of intense focus usually reserved for perfecting pastry recipes. “You never grin. You smirk. You give people that look that says you’re judging their life choices. But you don’t grin.” He crosses his arms. “What happened?”
Heat floods my cheeks, but I don’t try to deny it. I can’t. I’m too happy this morning, too full of this strange lightness that’s been buzzing through me since I woke up. “Nothing happened.”
“Uh-huh.” His mouth curves into a knowing smirk. “Does this nothing that happened have anything to do with a certain former child actor who lives in an unnecessarily large house and pays you an ridiculous amount of money to cook for him?”
My face goes even hotter. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” Levi picks up the tray and heads toward the display case. “I’m sure it’s completely unrelated that you’re now spending every spare moment with said child actor.”
I open my mouth to respond, but the swinging door opens again and Claire appears. Her eyes immediately zero in on Levi. “Are you teasing Kiera?”
“I’m not teasing.” Levi starts arranging the cream puffs in the display case with careful precision. “I’m making astute observations about her emotional state.”
“That’s called teasing.” Claire moves to stand beside me, bumping her shoulder against mine. “Leave her alone.”
“Fine, fine.” Levi waves a hand dismissively. “I’ll go back to the kitchen where I’m appreciated and my observational skills are valued.” He heads toward the door, then pauses and looks back at me. “But for the record, I’m happy for you. River’s a good guy.”
He disappears into the kitchen before I can respond, leaving me standing there with my mouth open.
Claire waits exactly two seconds before turning to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Okay, spill. What happened with River?”
I glance toward the front windows, checking for customers. The bakery is empty, the morning rush long over. “I kissed him.”
Claire’s squeal is so high-pitched I’m surprised the display case doesn’t shatter. “You kissed him? When? How? Tell me everything!”
