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***
That afternoon, she left the house, biting her tongue to prevent her from saying anything unpleasant to Alan. She forced herself to kiss his cheek, and it wasn’t her imagination when he pulled away slightly.
“Have fun,” he said, not taking his eyes off the TV.
Shelly’s favorite bakery in town wasn’t the coffee shop where the unfortunate baker had worked, underappreciated and quickly forgotten.
The Italian bakery across the street and down a block was more to her liking. Their specialty, lobster tails, a crispy triangular pastry filled with pastry cream, competed with rum cake with an inch of white frosting, cannoli, and their signature cake, cannoli cake.
Leaving the house scared her that afternoon. Everything she currently owned had found a place in Alan’s little bungalow. She longed to move out, but returning to her mother and father’s house, as secure as it was, would be a step backward after finally getting out at her age.
In spite of the chilly weather, Shelly opted to sit outside with steaming hot coffee and a big slice of yellow rum cake, the filling between the layers scrumptious. She savored the first bite and sipped coffee, people-watching. Looking to her left, she saw a striking man approach. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his hair pulled back, wearing a faded green army jacket and tight jeans.
Her heart pounded when she realized it was Alan’s friend Dan Chua. They’d met once when they were out for dinner at the beginning of their relationship but had never exchanged a word. So, this is who Julie Hsu betrayed with Alan. Shelly was incredulous; the two men were incomparable.
Surprising Shelly, Dan stopped at her table, looking down at her with a huge, friendly grin.
“Shelly Markham, soon to be Stone,” he said, holding out his hand. “Dan Chua.”
“I remember you, Dan,” she said, looking up at him and taking his hand. He was so incredibly handsome. “Join me for coffee and cake? You can see I have zero self-control.”
“I think you’re perfect,” he said, and then, looking flustered, he waved his hand. “And I’m also inappropriate.” He pulled out the chair across from her to sit. “Wow, this metal is cold.”
They laughed together. “My coat is long, so I didn’t notice it. Do you want to go inside?”
“No, this is nice. I prefer it. So, tell me, what are you doing here alone on a Saturday?”
She studied his face, wishing she could just bypass all the bullshit, lean over, and kiss him on the mouth. “I’m footloose and fancy-free,” she said, not mentioning Alan’s name. “Feeling super lucky right now that you came along to keep me from getting my phone out to look at stupid videos.”
“In the old days, I’d read the paper here or bring a book to read. Look around. No one does that anymore.”
“I read books on my phone,” Shelly said, snickering.
“Aha! It’s because you have young, healthy eyes. I’d need a magnifying glass.”
“You know, I’ve wanted to talk to you for a while, but I didn’t have the nerve to approach you.”
“Oh? Talk away,” he said. “I’m all ears.”
“It might make you angry.”
“I don’t think so. It takes a lot to get me mad.”
“Well, it’s about Julie and Alan.”
“See! I didn’t flinch.”
“He told me about it, and it made me so angry that something shifted between us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m over it.”
“I can’t believe he’d betray his best friend.”
“He was my best friend. Not anymore. I miss him, too. But I’m sorry it affected you.”
“I’m going to break our engagement, but the reasons aren’t only because of Julie.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. I really hoped you and Alan would live happily ever after. Sincerely.”
