“Rosalie is there, isn’t she? Doesn’t she watch the counter?”
“Patience, Kit,” Ash chastises. “Rowan will still be an owl at five o’clock.”
A little stung, I cross my arms, nodding.
“I need to go. I’ll meet you here as soon as I get off work, all right?”
“Okay.”
“Cheer up.” He glances outside, frowning. “The tourists are running for cover.”
I force a smile, feeling as far from sunny as possible.
Ash’s eyes move over my face. He looks like he wants to say something, but he steps outside instead, running across the street, his expensive suit getting all wet.
“I warned you,” Rowan says blandly.
I turn back, sighing. “Ash is abrupt, but he’s not unkind. I think I hurt his feelings.”
“Youhurthisfeelings?” Ryder asks.
“I keep falling apart because of Rowan. I’m sure it’s uncomfortable for him.”
Ryder turns to Rowan, a smirk finally ghosting across his lips. “He’s even jealous of you when you’re a bird.”
Rowan laughs, and I roll my eyes, walking past them.
“Where are you going?” Rowan asks, leaving the chair to follow me.
“I’m making tea.”
“May I have tea?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re annoying.”
He laughs again, his mood a little brighter than it was before Ash arrived. “Why?”
“I’m going to go,” Ryder says before I can answer Rowan, eyeing us. “You’re going to Ansel’s after he closes?”
“Yeah,” I say.
“Call me when you leave. I’ll meet you there.”
“You’re not helping us,” Rowan says to his friend, his tone clipped.
“I am. Don’t forget to eat your cake, Kit.”
“Thank you for coming by,” I say, sullenly browsing the tea options.
Ryder steps into the rain and runs down the street, heading toward the bakery.
Rowan clears his throat when we’re alone, the air heavy between us like he wants to say something.
“What?” I ask.
