Claire shrugged. “I have no idea.” Then, spotting a figure at the entrance, she added, “Oh, there she is.”
Sandee walked in, a far cry from her usual immaculate appearance. She wore jeans and a sweatshirt, a few stray dog hairs clinging to the fabric. Her hair, normally perfectly styled, was pulled back into a simple ponytail. Yet her expression was one of a soft half smile, and her eyes held a light Claire had never seen before.
“Hi,” Sandee said softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability. In that moment, Claire knew she had made the right decision in inviting her.
“What would you like to eat or drink?” Claire asked as she led Sandee to a secluded table in the corner.
“Just coffee for me, thanks,” Sandee replied.
They settled into their seats, the tension in the air palpable. Both women looked nervous, but as they made eye contact, it was as if an unspoken agreement passed between them.
Sandee took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Claire’s. “Look, I want to clear the air right off the bat about Peter. I never stole him from you. He told me you two were separated and getting a divorce.”
Claire felt as if the ground had shifted beneath her. “What? That wasn’t the case at all. I had no idea he was cheating.”
“Yeah, well, it turns out he’s a good liar,” Sandee said, a hint of bitterness touching her voice. “So, anyway, I apologize for my part in all that—and for the way I’ve treated you in the past.”
Claire was taken aback by Sandee’s candor. The tension that had been building up over the years seemed to deflate in an instant. “Thank you, Sandee. I appreciate that. I should apologize too. Tammi has always encouraged me to think more graciously of you.”
At the mention of Tammi, Sandee’s eyes softened, and her lips curved into a genuine smile. “Tammi’s a good kid, a really nice person. You should be proud.”
Claire’s heart swelled, and her eyes sparkled. “I am, very proud.”
For the first time, the two women felt a connection, a shared sense of understanding.
Claire took a sip of her coffee, her fingers gripping the mug a bit more tightly than usual. She still felt a tad nervous about what she was about to propose, but something about this newfound understanding with Sandee made it seem like the right time. “So, about the Beach Bones thing?—”
Sandee cut her off, her expression softening. “You can use the name, Claire. I apologize for being so difficult about it earlier. It’s just that I’m starting fresh, and it felt like the first thing I was truly successful at on my own.”
Claire nodded, her heart buoyed by Sandee’s sincerity. “Actually, that’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about. I was thinking... what about a partnership?”
“A partnership?” Sandee looked genuinely surprised, her eyes widening. “How would that work?”
Claire began outlining her vision. “We could divide up the work, collaborate on some new recipes, and sell the treats here at the bakery as well as other locations. You have a knack for sales; you could be the one to pitch our products to other shops.” Claire paused and chuckled. “And, I have to ask—what on earth do you put in those red dog biscuits? Dogs seem to really love them.”
Sandee laughed, her eyes twinkling. “Well, it’s a secret recipe. But if we’re going to be partners, I suppose I can let you in on it.”
Claire felt a mixture of relief and excitement. “So you’ll consider it?”
Sandee nodded, her gaze locking onto Claire’s. “I’ll look forward to it.”
Claire’s eyes met Sandee’s once again, and the newfound camaraderie between them felt like a warm glow.
“So, how’s Spot doing?” Sandee inquired, her tone gentle.
“Spot’s doing great. Rob is getting really attached to him,” Claire replied.
Sandee nodded. “We still haven’t found the owners. Of course, we’re doing our best to give them every chance to claim him.”
“Well, if they don’t, I think Spot has a home,” Claire said, her eyes shining with a mix of happiness and slight concern.
Sandee’s smile echoed Claire’s sentiment, but her expression quickly shifted to a frown as she looked over Claire’s shoulder. Claire turned around to see what caught her eye, and there was Peter, arm in arm with a young blond woman.
“Is that Peter with a new girlfriend?” Claire asked, a touch of disbelief in her voice.
“Yep,” Sandee confirmed, her gaze still fixed on them.
Claire squinted for a better look and then turned back to Sandee. “She looks even younger than you.”
