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“How is everything going?” Pippa asked as Brynn tucked the note into her pocket.
Brynn cast a quick glance around them, but everyone was seemingly occupied with story time or far enough away they wouldn’t hear. Just in case, she lowered her voice. “Good. I started weekly therapy. And Aaron has been great, better than, actually. I don’t even have a name for how he’s been. Too perfect almost.”
Pippa’s brow creased. “Like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop?”
Brynn scrunched her nose. “Why would a shoe drop?”
Pippa shook her head. “It’s a saying that means you are always waiting for something bad to happen.”
Was that what Brynn was doing? “I just . . . you and Mason love each other, but . . .”
“But we still had plenty of ups and downs of our own,” Pippa finished for her.
Brynn nodded. “It hasn’t really been like that for us. It’s been easy . . . it’s felt like a fairy tale, and I just don’t know how to handle it because sometimes . . .”
“Sometimes?”
Brynn let out a sigh and closed her eyes as she confessed, “Sometimes it feels too real. Like this isn’t pretend.” She focused back on Pippa’s sympathetic gaze. “I think I’m starting to develop feelings for him that I have no business having.”
“Have you talked to Aaron about this?”
“No. I-I don’t even know . . .” Brynn’s voice quieted. “I think he might have feelings for me . . . But what if it’s all in my head?”
Pippa reached out her hand to cover Brynn’s. “The only way you’ll know is to talk to him. It’s better to communicate that now and know you’re both on the same page. If not, you can set some boundaries so your heart doesn’t get more involved. But I have a hunch you’re not the only one catching feelings.”
Brynn’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“The way that man looked at you at the wedding, either he’s in the wrong business and should have been an actor, or . . .”
“Or he feels the connection too,” Brynn finished for her. “But he’s so blunt most of the time. Why wouldn’t he say something?”
“Maybe because he’s worried he’ll scare you away,” Pippa suggested.
Brynn nodded. “Perhaps you’re right.”
Pippa shrugged. “Only one way to find out, ask him.”
Brynn took a deep breath, then exhaled. Communicating with people always intimidated her. She’d been silenced most of her life after all. However, Aaron was approachable. But what if she spoke up and it ruined the perfect dynamic they had now? She couldn’t risk disrupting their arrangement for Dani’s benefit.
“I’ll think about it,” Brynn promised.
Pippa nodded. “Sounds good. You’re off the clock now. Any fun plans for the night?”
Brynn bit her lip. “I think I’ll make a nice dinner for Aaron to thank him for the flowers and . . . everything.”
Pippa smirked. “You do that.”
“I just need to grab a book before I go.” Brynn walked around her friend and employer, returning to the dark romance shelf. She picked up the book, running her hand over the acronym BDSM. She’d have to look that one up later. She paid for her book, taking advantage of her employee discount and gathered her things before she headed out, juggling her flowers. When she reached the edge of the bookstore window, her stainless-steel water bottle dropped to the ground with a loud clank.
She bent down carefully and grabbed it, freezing as her gaze snagged on the cherry cough drop wrappers piled on the ground. Brynn stood, searching her surroundings, a chill weaving through her soul like an omen. Paul sucked on that exact brand, as if they were candy. He’d reeked of artificial cherry.
A few people milled about the street. Nothing seemed amiss. She shook her head. Paul didn’t know where she was. She was safe in Shattered Cove—at least for now.
Brynn slid the cheesy lasagna from the oven and set it on the stove to cool before she slid the tray of brownies in and shut the door. Dani was busy sketching in her notebook at the bar with headphones on. Brynn leaned against the counter and took a minute to study her daughter. Dani had blossomed since living with Aaron this past month. Her daughter had been both terrified and excited to start school at Shattered Cove middle school. Thankfully, she had Aspen by her side. Some days were tough—like today when someone misgendered her and used the wrong pronouns. Those days were difficult. Brynn wished she could take the pain away from her daughter. Her chest ached knowing Dani’s life would always be filled with struggles because of transphobia.
The front door opened, then shut.
“Honey, I’m home,” Aaron called from the mudroom. The jangle of keys being hung on the key hook preceded his entrance to the kitchen. He smiled, his gaze flicking to the bouquet in the middle of the kitchen island before landing back on her.
