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Blake and Olivia rise, and Olivia towers over Paige. She’s tall at five foot ten and glares down at five-foot-three Paige. But Paige doesn’t even flinch. She glares right back. “Get,” she snaps, like she’s giving a command to a farm animal, and my shoulders start to shake as I try not to laugh.
Blake strolls out first, letting the door hit Olivia, and she scoffs, looking back to see if we saw it. I smirk at her as she follows my brother out. We watch him walk ahead of her to his Range Rover, then get in and start it up before Olivia even makes it to the passenger side. Ever the gentleman, my brother.
It must be interesting for Olivia to move on from me to my brother, who doesn’t seem to care about her at all. But caring isn’t what Olivia ever wanted. She wants money and status. She wants to be a rich lawyer’s wife. I know this because she told me this was her dream. But that life wasn’t my dream. It stung a lot when she betrayed and left me, but I have to admit, I’m feeling pretty grateful right now that I dodged that bullet.
Paige’s shoulders relax. “Apparently, they’re just handing out audacity these days.”
“Maybe they didn’t like your coffee,” I deadpan.
Paige scoffs. “I made them the good stuff. What a waste.”
“Well, that’s my family, Paige.” I tuck my hands into my pockets as I watch them speed off.
“Are you okay?”
Warmth sweeps through my body at the question, not to mention the way she just had my back. It feels good. Really good.
“I’m going to take a walk,” I tell her, and I call Theo, who bounds over to my side, sniffing me and wagging his tail. Pancake peeks over the dog bed, probably wondering where I’m taking his friend, but loses interest quickly as he curls up into a ball and goes back to sleep.
Paige nods. She doesn’t move. She just stands there, supportive. While I am appreciative that she had my back like that, it confuses me, too. Does she feel sorry for me? Or does she like me back? And why do I feel like I’m a kid all over again? Like I’m trying to figure out whether someone likes me.
As Theo and I stroll down Main Street, I think about what life could be like if Paige and I put down our swords. The way she made me feel when she stood beside me was awesome. Paige makes my days better. I’m going to miss her when she opens her bookstore and stops working for me. Panic fills me at the thought of not having her around all the time. I’ll miss her pranks. And I know Theo will miss her.
We make our way back down the street, and I stop at the bakery to pick up sandwiches. I run into Axel on his way out.
“Hey, man. We’re still looking for Poolmoore. He’s still in the wind.”
“Thanks for keeping me updated. How’s the shop coming?” I ask, changing the subject.
“It’s good. I need your help setting up some business stuff if your offer still stands.” He runs a hand over his long hair.
“Of course. I’ll get you taken care of,” I say.
“Thanks. Later,” he calls as he heads down the street carrying his bright blue bakery bag.
I step into the bakery and close my eyes. It always smells the best in here. If they could bottle up this smell and put it in a candle or something, I’d buy an entire case of it and burn it nonstop. The only other places that have ever given me this feeling are the inn and Sasha’s kitchen.
Allie beams at me from behind the counter. “How’s it going?”
“Just picking up lunch.”
“Turkey on sourdough?”
“Make it two today.”
“Two?” she says with a smile and ahmm.
“Two,” I say with a chuckle. “I am bringing one back for my...” Well, what do I call Paige? “Assistant,” I say curtly.
“Right,” she says with a laugh. “So how are things going with your... assistant?”
I pause before I answer, and Allie whips her head around and looks at me expectantly.
“They’re good.”
“Really?” she says, looking hopeful. “Well, I’m glad you two are working out. You needed each other. She’s so relieved that she can keep Harry safe now that she has a job with you.”
“Harry?”
