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I nod my head as she continues, “I can’t do this anymore. I wish I could just live here with you and Sam.”
I look at the door. “I’m surprised he didn’t hear you and come in here.”
“I think he saw me climbing up the trellis,” she admits sheepishly. “There are a lot of bikes parked out front, and they’re still hanging out down in the shop.”
“I’m sure I’ll hear all about it tomorrow.” My dad will probably just give me crap about it, but the truth is, my dad loves Callie. He doesn’t have a lot of rules, but as long as we’re safe, he’s chill.
“You think he’ll be mad at me?” she whispers.
“No, Callie. He doesn’t like how your parents treat you, either.”
now
SJ
Callie, please meet me for coffee. Let’s talk.
How did you get this number?
SJ
The shop.
I’m not ready to talk to you.
SJ
Get ready.
We’re done.
SJ
We’ll never be done.
With a grin on my face and a speck of something warm in my chest, I slide my phone back into my pocket and head into the bakery. Fighting with Callie is better than a lifetime of silence without her.
Coach Murphy sees me across the lobby and lifts his hand in a wave as he chats with the other patrons. He’s got a cup of coffee and a plate with a pastry in front of him.
“Coach.” I nod and get in line to put my order in. As I scan the menu, a familiar voice calls from the back, “Hey, SJ!” I look over and see Evan’s sister, Allie, in an apron with her Baked Inn Love logo on it, carrying a tray of scones to the bakery case. And they smell amazing. I’m kicking myself for not coming here before now.
“Hey, Allie, how are you?” She’s older now too, and not the little kid sister who I remember. It’s crazy to me that she’s a mom. Evan, Allie, and I have so many memories together. Allie tagged along on a lot of our adventures out at the inn growing up.
“Doing great! What can I get you?” she asks cheerfully, stepping over to the register.
“Black coffee and one of those scones?” I point at the pumpkin scones that smell amazing.
“For here or to go?”
“Here.” I nod to where Coach sits at a table.
“The boys enjoyed the game the other night.”
“Thanks, it’s great to be back. I met the future Eagles,” I say as I tap my card on the machine.
“They told me all about it. It’s good to have you home. I just came back last year myself. I was out in California for a while.”
“The place looks great,” I say, looking around. It smells great in here. I make a mental note to come back.
