“I’m only here to keep the bakery open for my grandparents. After they get back, I’m going back to Paris.”
“I thought you lost that job.”
“I’ll be looking for a new position. Victor’s bakery isn’t the only place in Paris. Getting recognized in Paris for my talent has always been my dream. I want a place where standing out from the crowd isn’t seen as being weird. A place I can call my own.” Robin pleaded with her eyes for him to understand. “When I said I shouldn’t have kissed you, I meant I shouldn’t have let you believe we could have a relationship. I’m not sticking around. I don’t want to bake bread in my grandparents’ shop for the rest of my life.”
He shoved the last bite of his cupcake into his mouth. Swallowed.
She could hear the condenser on the cooler ticking.
Sammy took a long drink of his coffee. Was he ever going to say something?
He swallowed again. Looked at the floor, then straight into her eyes. “Robin, I know we’re just getting to know each other again. I think we have a connection. We can take it slow if you want. But don’t say no to something good because it’s not perfect timing.”
Robin pushed away from the counter and began pacing. “You’re a great guy, and I can’t deny that I’m attracted to you.” She avoided his gaze. “Sammy, I watched you tonight. It’s obvious you love this town and the kids, and just everything.” She made a wide gesture. “I don’t want to get in the way of that. I’m not sticking around and you are. Simple as that.”
“You’re right, I do love this town, and I’ve always dreamed of having a family here.” Sammy set his cup in the sink, then rested both of his hands on the edge. She longed to touch his shoulder, make this easier for both of them. He turned. “But I also want to explore where this is going with you.”
“I’m sorry. I really am. But I think it’s best if we just stay friends. I’m leaving. I don’t want a long-distance relationship. I don’t even know if I want any kind of relationship.”
“I guess that’s it then.” He straightened, grabbed his jacket off the center island. “Don’t worry about taking me home. I can take my bike.”
“Sammy…” But what could she say? “I’d like to stay friends.”
“Sure,” he said, opening the back door. A wave of cold air hit her. “Friends.” And then he was gone.
She swigged the last of the coffee in her cup. A few pieces of the beans floated in the last swallow. Their gritty bitterness log-jammed in her throat.
* * *
Even the nightsky mocked him.
The clouds had cleared, and Sammy rode his bike home under the cold starry sky.I think it’s best if we just stay friends.Robin’s words chased him. He blew out a frosty breath. Some enchanted evening this had turned into. He was never the guy the girls chose.
Around him, Deep Haven lay frigid and silent. He passed through a neighborhood, windows darkened at this late hour. Half standing on the bike’s pedals, he strained up a hill near his home. One tire rotation at a time, carrying him farther away from the warmth of earlier that night.
Maybe he’d just gotten caught up in the moment, but kissing Robin had felt right. Like they belonged together or something.
Too bad she didn’t feel the same way.
He turned into his driveway and then stowed his bike in the garage. He smelled the sweet pine scent of his latest woodworking project—two new sets of Ping-Pong paddles. He pictured Ben or another teen going head-to-head in the round-robin-style tournament coming up at the youth center. A few more coats of varnish and he’d be ready to take them over there.
The garage was almost as cold as the outdoors, so he quickly went through the door and into the kitchen.
His mom sat at the kitchen table in her pajamas, sorting a load of laundry. Her hair had gone silver over the past few years, and tonight there were tired circles under her eyes.
“Ma. You didn’t have to wait up for me.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” She shook out a towel, then folded it and placed it on a pile. “I thought I’d be productive until I felt sleepy.”
He brushed past her, fully intending to head straight for bed.
“How was the dance?”
Her question stopped him in his tracks. “It was good. Interesting.”
“Interesting? How?”
Shoot. He shouldn’t have let that slip. Now she’d be on him for details like a dog on a bone. “We had fun.” He tugged off his jacket and hat and laid them on the table, then sat down across from his mom. The kitchen held a faint chocolate aroma.
