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S helby hands the customer their change and then softly elbows me in the ribs. “Go see if your man needs a refill. Will ya? Or some food maybe.”

I don’t even deny he’s my man as I grab the orange scone I hid for him and head to his table. What’s the point? The town already thinks there’s something going on between us and I don’t know, maybe there is. The rope I used to keep us at bay is thinning.

Luckily, Olivia hasn’t mentioned anything about my episode to Shelby or her husband. I’m thankful for that, not wanting them to worry.

When I stop in front of Logan’s table, he puts down his phone. My hand goes flying to my hips. “Why have you been sitting here every day for the past five days, hours at a time? Don’t you have to work?”

“I’m drinking coffee and enjoying my breakfast.” He holds up his bagel.

“You mean lunch ?”

He’s lucky he stays incredibly fit, or he’d be five hundred pounds by now.

“It’s lunchtime?” Logan pretends to be unaware of the time, me cocking my head in knowing.

“I know what you’re doing and while I appreciate it, you cannot play bodyguard all day every day. You have a life. A job.”

The anxiety of Jason coming back is like bricks sitting on my chest. But as the days go by, I become less frightened, refusing to let him win. I’m finally happy and I won’t give it up without a fight. However, my friends being victims in all this doesn’t sit well.

The bell jingles and in walks Lana.

“Not you too,” I grumble. She’s been in the café just as much as Logan has, and I know it’s sacrificing her time at the studio.

“Hey. Oh, hey, Logan.” Lana throws him a friendly wave, pretending to be surprised he’s here, and I scoff.

“Lana.” Logan nods, taking another sip of his coffee.

Lana catches my annoyed expression. “Can’t friends visit their friend at her place of employment?”

“Not when said friends are only doing it because they’re babysitting her.”

“I prefer watching over,” she tells me.

“Ugh. Whatever you call it. I don’t want you two to become subjected to my bullshit.

I’m fine. If he wanted to come back, he would have by now.

He’s probably just trying to intimidate me.

” I know that to be false hope, but I need a fair argument.

I glance over my shoulder, making sure Shelby hasn’t caught wind of our conversation.

My husband is well off, high in his world, but I will not go down without a fight. Even if my only weapon is staying happy.

The bell goes off again and Crew heads our way.

“Not you too,” I whine, still holding the carafe of dark roast.

“I’m not sure what you mean, beautiful.” Crew grins, nodding to Logan. “I’m actually here to see our man.”

“I’ll be right back.” Logan sets down his coffee, sliding out from the corner booth.

Crew walks out first, brushing past Lana without even a glance, and Logan follows.

Lana crosses her arms over her chest, peering out the window. “Think they’re talking about you?”

With the frequent and suspicious glances Crew gives to me from outside, there’s no doubt.

“I’d say yes. Yes, they are.”

“Weird.”

“Yeah. Weird.” I’ll just pretend not to be curious, and then maybe it won’t gnaw away at me.

“How’ve you been? And I want an honest answer.” Lana follows me over to the counter as I set down the carafe.

“I’m dealing, and honestly, fine. I don’t know why everyone keeps asking me that.” An espresso cup slips from my hand, shattering onto the floor. “Dammit.”

“I’ll get a broom,” Olivia volunteers over my shoulder.

I lock eyes with Lana, who’s shooting me a knowing glance. “Fine. I’m scared. Nervous. Paranoid. Better?”

“Yeah. I got that. How about this… let’s get away for a few days. Take your mind off your lunatic husband?”

Even though it’s tempting, it won’t erase any of it and I’ve already run away once.

“I can’t leave Shelby and the café. I’ve missed too many days already. And I know you don’t want to leave the studio.”

Disappointment fills her. “I can manage, and I’m sure Shelby will understand.”

I shake my head. “I can’t.”

Logan’s shoulders are more tense as he comes back inside, Crew nowhere to be found.

Lana watches Logan but addresses me. “This town has your back, Sora. Never forget that.”

I smile. Even though the town doesn’t know what’s happening, I can fully accept what Lana tells me. Everyone is a close family here, and the idea of having them on my side is comforting.

Olivia hands us a flyer left on a table. “Strawberry festival tomorrow. Who’s going?”

“Another summer festival?” I ask, sorting through the latest receipts.

“This town thrives off their festivities.” Olivia chuckles, taking an order at the front.

“I forgot about the strawberry festival.” Lana leans forward on the counter. “They’re also having a baking contest. Maybe you can make something.”

That catches my attention. “Oh, yeah?” I grab the flyer and read the front page. “It’s short notice, but I suppose I can run to the market after work.”

A baking contest sounds therapeutic.

I’m sure my dad has a strawberry recipe in that box of his.

After heading home, I read through the recipes and, sure enough, I find the perfect one. As I’m leaving to head to the market for the ingredients, Logan walks out of his place at the same time as me.

We meet each other’s gazes, and he holds up his hands in surrender. “I swear this is pure accident and I’m not playing bodyguard. This time.”

I knew it.

“I’m not entirely convinced.”

We meet at the end of the drive, him standing with his hands in his pockets.

“I’m actually on my way to the market.”

He winces, massaging the back of his neck. “Would you believe me if I told you that’s where I was headed?”

I throw him with a curious eye. “Possibly. What are you buying?” I ask super-fast, as if quizzing him.

“Eggs and almond milk,” he answers on the spot.

“Okay fine, I believe you, muscle man. Let’s go. You want me to drive or you?”

“Should I trust your driving?”

I throw my hands on my hips. “That flat tire was not my fault.” I point at his chest, but my finger accidentally makes contact, and I swallow, snatching it back. “Besides. I have nice new tires, thanks to my amazing neighbor.”

He slowly nods. “Fine. You drive, but the minute I fear for my life, I’m jumping out.”

As we walk to my car, I turn to him. “You think jumping out of a moving vehicle is safer than me driving?”

“Not sure. Haven’t seen you drive yet.”

“Fair enough. Get in the car, big boy.” My cheeks heat at the slight flirting. I like it. It’s playful. But it also awakens me in ways I crave.

With frequent glances at Logan, I laugh inside. He’s way too big for my car.

I wave to Alvin, Logan nodding to him as he snatches a basket by the door.

“Together? Or separate shopping?”

“Together,” I answer with excitement.

Logan brushes my arm with his, then rests a hand at the small of my back, my knees almost buckling from his touch.

As he guides us forward, his fingertips teasing the hem of my shirt, my body stiffens. His hand on me is going to kill me.

“Okay. Baking aisle first, then the cold stuff.” I plop sugar and whatever else I need into the basket that Logan continues to carry, and then we head to the refrigerator section.

“Baking?”

“Always.” I smile and shrug. “Actually, I’m making something for the baking contest at the strawberry festival tomorrow.”

His attention leaves the milk, and he looks at me. “You’re going?”

“Yeah. Lana and I decided it would be a nice distraction. Better than alcohol. How about you?”

Logan sets down the almond milk, then grabs a cartoon of our local farmer’s eggs. “Sure. I’ll be there.”

The thrill being impossible to hide, but I try to mask it. But the way Logan’s eyes lighten, I’d say I did a terrible job at it.

“You seem to fit in well around here. Even Alvin is fond of you, and he’s not fond of anyone.”

I glance over at Alvin, who’s helping an older lady load up her cart.

I lean forward, whispering to Logan. “Really? He seems so nice.”

“He is, but it takes time for him to trust people. Seems like you won him over already. Pretty rare.” Logan drops his arm to the side, taking the plastic basket with him and we both head up front.

A grin widens on my face at the satisfaction. Not that I am smug, but it’s nice to hear people like me for who I really am, and in this town, I believe I’m starting to find myself.