Page 115 of When We Were Young

The rich aroma of coffee fills the room when I pass through the double doors again.

“Oh my gosh, that smells so good,” I say.

I pause, seeing that Holden is already up, making not just a cup for himself, but one for me as well.

“Well, I have to say, I wasn’t sure when you first taught me how to make coffee that it could rival Ella’s, but I’m convinced now that it’s even better.”

Holden turns and hands me a cup.

Then he plants a quick kiss on my cheek.

“Morning, beautiful,” he says in a hushed voice. A wink and grin from him makes my lower belly flutter.

It should worry me. I shouldn’t feel this way for him. I shouldn’t let myself. I haven’t felt these flutters since college. Since the first time I met him.

We walk over to the booth where Simon is grinning as he watches us.

“What’s that smile for?” I ask.

“Nothing. Just remembering something Layla told me.”

“Uh-oh,” Holden says. “You want to share with the rest of us?”

“It’s our secret. Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad.”

“Okay, we’re trusting you, buddy,” Holden says with a light air.

I set my coffee on the table, and before I sit down, I walk over to the display case and pick out three cookies: chocolate chip for Simon and frosted sugar cookies for Holden and me. During all of our taste-testing sessions, this was Holden’s favorite by far.

I bring them over and set them in front of us, then sit down next to Simon, opposite Holden. They chatter away while I lose myself in my thoughts, staring out the window.

“Hey, what’s going on in that pretty brain of yours?” Holden asks, reaching across the table and tapping my hand.

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

“You should be more than fine. This is your big day. Where’s that excitement from a little bit ago? You’ve got less than thirty minutes until you open.”

“I know, but⁠—”

“But what?” Simon asks when I hesitate.

“But what if nobody comes? What if we’re it for the entire day?”

“Oh, that’s silly,” Simon says. “People will definitely come.”

“That’s sweet of you to hope for, Simon, but⁠—”

“I’m not hoping,” he tells me.

“Excuse me?”

“What do you mean?” Holden asks.

“Well, yesterday when you let Ruthie and Lester take Layla and me for pancakes, we took our signs and passed them out.”

“Signs?” I ask. I glance up at Holden. He shrugs and looks dumbfounded.

“We made signs about the bakery opening, and then we took them around to everybody. All the shops and even some people’s houses. Everybody said they’d come.”