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“It’s not that easy. You see your mate and it’s hard to control.”

“I did it. I still do it,” Shaun snapped.

“He’s got a point,” Lucien said.

“How do you know? Have you been watching?” Brandt asked.

“Nope. I’m picking sides as I go along.”

“Remi’s a Dragon, you might want to keep that in mind when picking sides,” Shaun mumbled.

“So? I’m fucking alligator. There’s not that much difference,” Lucien said.

Shaun looked at Lucien critically, leaning back a little to better focus on Lucien’s face. Finally he grinned and looped his own arm over Lucien’s shoulders. “I like him. I’m glad he’s here.”

“Oddly enough, so do I,” Brandt said. “Come on, let’s see what’s going on in there.”

They opened the door and stepped through to find Remi with both hands planted on the display counter top.

“I didn’t know I was going to give them to her when I told you I wasn’t.

I saw her unexpectedly when I left my mom’s, and in order to make a quick getaway without having to talk, I said, ‘here, have some coffee and donuts. It wasn’t planned.

I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t know it would happen. ”

“It doesn’t even matter, Remi. And you still don’t get it.

It’s not that you gave it to her after I asked if it was for her.

It’s not even that you can’t focus on anything else if she’s even remotely nearby.

It’s the insult to my intelligence that I mind.

Do you really think I’m not aware? I’d much prefer honesty to the lies, no matter what the truth is.

Stop lying to me! Better yet, stop lying to yourself. ”

“Bailey, I love you! Why can’t you see that?

” Remi noticed Bailey looking behind him and turned to see who had entered the shop.

On seeing Brandt, Lucien and Shaun, he started to growl a bit, but then he happened to notice Cristie and her parents crossing the street to get to the coffee shop.

They’d apparently left the steak house across the street and were coming for dessert and an after dinner coffee.

And the moment he saw Cristie, he was focused in like she was his target again.

Bailey slammed a pan of croissants on the counter to snap him out of it.

“What?! What was that?”

“Me! And the ‘what’ is you’re doing it again! You can’t come in here and try to win me over, while staring non-stop at the woman you obviously can’t take your eyes off of!”

“Bailey…”

“No, Remi. I’m done. I’m done!”

“You don’t understand what’s happening,” he said defeatedly.

“No, I don’t. And that’s part of the problem. You don’t trust me enough to tell me what’s happening all around me. It all has a direct effect on me, but I’m not worthy of an explanation.”

“It’s not what I want, Bailey. I want you.”

“Do you realize that I can’t even blame her. I can’t even hate her! She’s kind and sweet and if things were different, I’d want to be her friend. Maybe we will be friends one day, but this is all too fresh, and until you feel you can be truthful with me, I don’t want any part of any of it or you.”

“Meet me after work. I’ll tell you everything. You’ll see, it’s just the way things are, and no matter what you mean to me, the pull toward Cristie is something I’m fighting against and losing. I don’t want it this way, but I’m starting to think I’m not going to have any choice.”

“How you doing today, Remi?” Riley bit out from just inside the front door. They’d entered the shop while Remi was in the midst of his confusing explanation.

Remi quickly turned and found them standing quietly near Brandt, Lucien and Shaun, listening to their conversation. He sighed and shook his head, in what was clearly defeat. “I cannot fucking win,” he muttered.

Cristie plastered a smile on her face and approached the counter, ignoring everything except Bailey. “Hi, Bailey. I was telling my parents about your amazing pastries and they wanted to get some to take home with us. We’ll be leaving in the morning.”

“Hi,” Bailey said.

“I’m sorry. I tried to dissuade them, but they wouldn’t listen,” Cristie said.

Bailey smiled and shook her head quickly. Her voice when she spoke was shaky, but gradually steadied as she continued to force her way through the situation. “No worries. What would you like?”

“Let’s go with three or four boxes and make it an assortment in each?” Cristie said as more of a question than a statement.

“Make it five so we have some left to take with us in the morning,” Maia said as she joined Cristie at the counter. “Hello, Bailey. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re a wonderful young lady from all I’ve heard. And so talented!”

Bailey smiled at Maia, genuinely. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

Maia smiled at her and they talked about all the different kinds of pastries and donuts as Bailey made choices to fill the large boxes.

“Would you like some coffee for the ride home?” Bailey asked.

“Do you have frozen or iced coffee?”

“She has the most delicious caramel frappes, mom,” Cristie said.

Maia’s eyes seemed to glaze over and she all but started drooling. “I’ll have two, extra-larges, please.”

Bailey laughed softly. “I feel the same way.”

She finished making their order, and filled four extra-large to go cups with caramel frappe and whipped cream so Cristie and her dad could have a cup, too, then accepted their card and rang up the order.

Maia signed for the food and coffee and then reached out and touched Bailey’s hand. “I wish you every happiness, Bailey.”

Bailey had to choke back a sudden threat of tears. She had no doubt that Cristie’s mom truly meant it. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Maia turned, sipping on one of the coffees and carrying three of the five boxes. She paused between Remi and Riley who were in a staring contest. “Carry these,” Maia said. Handing Riley the boxes.

Riley accepted the boxes, then after a last glare at Remi, who was visibly miserable, turned to follow Maia to the door. “Cristie!” he said impatiently, without looking back.

Cristie was still standing at the counter. She smiled at Bailey as Bailey handed her the last two boxes, and the cardboard drink carrier with the other three coffees in it. “I’m so sorry, Bailey. I had no idea of all this, or I’d have stayed away.”

“I don’t understand,” Bailey said, confused at what Cristie was trying to say.

“I honestly looked forward to meeting Remi’s girlfriend.

I didn’t plan any of this or ask for any of it.

Please, when the time comes that you do understand, just try to remember that.

I’ll be going home in the morning, and even if my parents do come back for a visit, I won’t be joining them.

Don’t allow me to influence your decision.

Remi’s a good male, and you’re so sweet, you both deserve to be happy. ”

Bailey reached out this time, laying her fingers on Cristie’s wrist. “Please, tell me what’s happening.”

“I’m sure Remi will. And Mom’s right. We wish you every happiness. Thanks for this,” Cristie said, lifting the boxes enough to indicate the pastries. “Bye.”

Bailey slowly pulled her hand away from Cristie and watched her leave the shop with her parents.

Remi stood at the window watching them go back across the street to get in Riley’s truck, then wandered absent-mindedly out to stand on the sidewalk and watch them as they drove away until they were out of sight.

“Bailey?” Shaun said, as he walked slowly toward her.

She pulled her attention away from Remi who was unable to look away from Cristie, and focused on Shaun.

“I have no way of understanding what you’re feeling.

I’ve never been in your shoes. But I’m here for you, no matter what it is that you need.

No judgment. A shoulder. A friend. Another chance at what you thought you’d found…

Any of it. But regardless you should know that Remi didn’t plan this.

He’s not doing anything intentionally to hurt or disappoint anyone.

It’s just the way things happen some times in our world. He’s as much blindsided as you are.”

“What do you mean “your world’?” she asked.

Shaun looked over his shoulder at Remi still standing outside, staring in the direction he last saw Cristie’s family’s truck driving away in. “If he doesn’t explain things to you tonight, call me. I’ll do it. But he deserves the chance to explain things, make them right on his own.”

Bailey nodded, but her expression indicated how confused she was.

“Hi, Bailey. Can I get some stuff, too?” Brandt asked, thinking maybe routine would distract her.

“Sure. Hi, Brandt. How’s Tempest feeling?”

“She’s miserable,” Brandt said honestly, with a chuckle.

Bailey smiled. “Tell her I’ll call her later, yeah?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll get you some of her favorites,” Bailey said, and started filling some boxes with turnovers and cream puffs and eclairs. “I know she can’t have caffeine, but I can send her a frozen chocolate milk with whipped cream.”

“She’d love that,” Brandt said. He accepted his boxes, and the frozen chocolate milk and paid her, along with a healthy tip. “Hey, come on by any time you want, okay?”

“Thank you. I might do that. I kind of have the feeling I’ll need a girls’ session sometime soon.”

“You can come to my house, too. You know where I live, right?” Shaun asked.

“I do.”

“Bailey? Right?” Lucien asked.

Bailey’s head swiveled in Lucien’s direction and both her brows raised in surprise.

He smiled that smile of his that made most human women lose control. “I’m Lucien. I’m Hellen’s ma... male… man,” he finally settled on, searching for the right term when he caught himself about to say mate.

“Lucky Hellen,” Bailey said.

“Nah, I’m the lucky one.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet.”

“Would you happen to know what Hellen prefers?” he asked, gesturing at the pastries left in the display counter.

“I do! And I have a fresh one in the back. I’ll be right back,” Bailey said. She disappeared into the back for a few moments, and came back carrying two pie boxes. One deeper than the other. “Cheese cake — New York style. And a pecan pie. She loves them both.”

Lucien grinned at her and reached for his wallet, totally forgetting that he’d not brought a wallet with him. In fact, his wallet had been lost in the swamp when he’d tried to escape the poachers he’d pissed off. “Well, damn,” he growled.

“I got it! Put it on my card,” Brandt said. “You’re going to have to get everything you lost in that wallet replaced.”

“Yeah, I know. Haven’t even thought about it until just this minute, though,” Lucien said.

“You can treat next time,” Brandt said.

“Be glad, to,” Lucien said.

The door opened and Remi walked back in. It was clear he was suffering, for more reason than one.

Bailey handed Brandt the receipt for Lucien’s purchases, and Brandt took the time to tuck the receipt in his wallet.

He watched Remi as he moved slowly toward the counter and Bailey.

At the last minute Brandt stepped right in front of him.

“You tell her everything. All of it, including the part about kids, or you will deal with me. This is bullshit.”

“I know. I hadn’t yet because things were final, and I hadn’t asked permission.”

“That’s a cop out. You know Tempest is her best friend and will eventually come clean regardless.”

Remi nodded. “Yeah.”

“There’s a lot of people hurting over this.

I know it’s not your fault, and I know it’s not your choice to have this happen, but it’s time to stop trying to make things right for yourself.

Make things right for Bailey. After you do that, then you can consider yourself,” Brandt said, his voice so much lower than even a whisper, only a shifter could have heard him.

Remi nodded.

“See you later, Bailey. I’m gonna tell Tempest that you’re gonna come by later tonight or tomorrow. Don’t worry about calling, just pass by when you need it, if you need to. Tempest might be able to answer any questions you might have after talking with Remi. You’re always welcome, you know that..”

Bailey was still standing behind the counter, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. “Okay?” she finally managed.