E
ighthoursearlier…
It’s not so bad being without Spencer.
I miss him, sure, but I miss Hettie and Tema a lot more. I’m glad they got to stay in Saint Pierre, but Tema still feels like my own, so having her away for so long is an aching pain I’m going to have to get used to.
But Spencer being gone isn’t as bad as I thought. Eight years without him in my life makes it easier to have him drop out of my life again. It’s only been a few months since we were officially together anyway, and it was never some fairy-tale romance to begin with.
That’s what I keep telling myself, and for the most part, I believe it.
It’ll be easier when Hettie gets back from Saint Pierre, so she can tell me too.
Since I’ve been back, I’ve spent most of my time with Hettie, Bo, and Spencer, and a lot of my school friendships have faded. In the weeks that Spencer has been gone, I’ve jumped back in and made a point to forge new ones. The job at the coffee shop helps, because it’s always busy and I’m pretty social, but I make planswith Stella. I join Fenella Carrington for a drink at her club. I visit Mabel at The King’s Hat and fill her in on the years she missed with Tema.
I’m creating a presence in Battle Harbour, and it’s not as Spencer Laz’s girlfriend.
I’m proud of that.
But still, when Hettie is back tomorrow—
The bell over the door chimes and I stand frozen, hand on the coffee spout, until the cup is filled to the brim, and I switch it off before it spills over my hand.
Princess Lyra has just walked into Coffee for the Sole.
With Grayson Grant, host of The Suitorette.
Spencer left me to join the show, and all three of them, along with a bunch of other men, are supposed to be in Saint Pierre so that Lyra can find true love.
They’re not supposed to be here in Battle Harbour, unless maybe the time line has changed and they wanted to show a visit to the castle to meet Lyra’s family or—
“Best coffee in the whole Maritimes,” Lyra is saying to Grayson as they make their way to the counter. “Hi, Abigail.”
“Ah—hi.”
Princess Lyra has barely strung a sentence together to speak to me, and she’s never greeted me by name in a friendly voice.
Of course, she’s friendly—she finally has Spencer.
And, of course, she’s going to greet me—I work at the coffee shop and will have to serve her.
“This is Abigail,” Lyra says to Grayson. “She and Spencer were… together?” She raises an eyebrow. “A couple.? Boyfriend and girlfriend seem kind of high school, and I don’t think that’s what you were back then.”
“We were together, and now we’re not. Which you are well aware of.” My voice is cold steel. I don’t care if Lyra is a princess or a queen—she took my boyfriend.
Even though I kind of gave him to her.
“I’m not here to gloat or whatever you think I’m doing,” Lyra says quickly. “I’m here because I need a favour.”
“You need a favour fromme? An extra pump in your drink?”
“No, although that would be great. Hey, Wyatt.” She smiles at Silas’s nephew, who has sidled up to get the gossip. “Would you mind taking care of our drinks? Two vanilla caramel lattes with unicorn foam, please and thank you? We need a minute with Abigail.”
“You’re Grayson Grant.” Wyatt has a silly smile on his face.
“I am.” Grayson offers his hand to Wyatt, who takes it like he’s been offered a sack of gold. “Nice to meet you.”
“I watched you pitch a no-hitter against New York.” Wyatt’s voice is dazed and Grayson’s face breaks into a mile-wide grin.
