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Conversation picked up around the table.
“We appreciate you stopping in to talk to us, Colton.” I stood to approach him and Max.
“I wish I had something more to share with you,” Colton said to us.
“We do too,” Max said.
“Max, can you come down here?” Mallory, Max’s manager, asked from the bottom of the stairs.
“You got it,” Max said to Mallory, and then to us, “You coming down for a drink after the meeting?”
“I suspect Remi will want to.” Colton nodded toward where she sat, animatedly talking to the others.
They were seeing each other, and they were an intriguing mix—the stiff police officer and the carefree juice shop owner. I think they worked because they were so different.
I usually stayed for a drink since I started the group, and I felt obligated to stay for the social scene afterward. I just couldn’t stay too long since I had to get up early for work.
I stood next to Colton as everyone filed down the steps and made their way over to the bar. It was busy tonight.
Colton looked down at me. “What are you doing about security at the bakery?”
I appreciated that Colton looked out for the shop owners. He’d said it was his job, but I think he’d have done it whether his supervisor asked him to or not.
“You know I updated my security system.” I called him weekly to get an update, and he dropped in periodically for pastries for the department. It was a little guarded secret that police officers and firefighters got free food and coffee at the bakery.
“I don’t like you working there alone in the middle of the night.”
“I go in at four a.m. That’s hardly the middle of the night.” I attempted to keep my tone light.
Colton lowered his voice. “If anyone’s following your routine, they’ll know you’re alone. I’d feel better if you had someone there with you.”
I just couldn’t afford to have someone come in the morning. I needed the help at the counter later in the afternoon when I sometimes took off early. “What would they do? Watch me bake?”
My tone belied my own worry. I didn’t want him to know how scared I was.
“I don’t like it.”
“I know you don’t.”
“Colton,” the strong voice came from behind Colton, causing him to turn away from me.
“Mark.” They hugged, slapping each other’s backs.
I was expecting to see more of Mark, just not so soon. I wasn’t ready to see him. I didn’t want anyone judging our reunion, looking for signs we’d get back together, and pity when we didn’t.
They stood side by side, facing the bar, and I inched away from them, hoping Mark wouldn’t notice me.
“What were you talking about when I got here? What don’t you like?” Mark asked Colton, repeating our words back to us.
My breath caught at his question.
“We’ve had some burglaries at the stores in town, and I don’t like that Sophie goes in alone to start her baking.”
Mark’s gaze traveled from Colton’s to mine. “Is that right?”
“I have to start baking early to be ready for the early morning crowd. They want their coffee and muffins,” I said defensively.
Colton gave me a pointed look. “I was just telling her she should hire someone to be there with her.”
