Page 6

“You left early last night.”

Bailey looked up from the tray of cinnamon rolls she was placing one at a time in the glass case for customers to see. “Hi, Shaun.”

“You missed a good time. We cooked marshmallows, and hot dogs, and drank blackberry wine, and had a good ole time, until the rain sent us all running and put out the bonfire.”

“Ohhh, I’m sorry it ruined the bonfire. From what I’ve heard it’s an important part of y’all’s celebrations.”

“It’s actually the first one I’ve been to. We only joined the clan just before Christmas.”

Bailey looked at him, her brows bunching up clearly showing her confusion. “Clan? You mean the compound?”

Shaun realized by her response that she wasn’t aware that they were part of a shifter clan.

“I’ve never heard it called a clan. Just a family compound,” she said.

“We just call it that amongst ourselves. I just figured Remi mentioned it.”

“No, but I think I get it. Like the clans in Ireland, where they started with families, but if you marry into it, you’re part of the clan.”

“Yep. You’ve got it.”

She smiled at him, then went back to finishing up transferring the cinnamon rolls to the front glass case.

“So, I only ever see you here. Do you ever go out at all?”

Bailey shook her head. “I used to, a little. But I have a feeling that’s coming to an end,” she said sadly, without looking up at him.

“Yeah. I kind of got that feeling. I’m sorry.”

This time she did look up at him. “It’s okay. Things happen, you know?”

“Yeah. But not usually right in front of you.”

She nodded and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly to try to calm herself before she got upset again.

“Look, I know you’re only hours available, and maybe you’re not available yet. But I just wanted to let you know that I saw what happened. I think it’s crappy. And I’d like to take you out sometime when you’re feeling up to it.”

“You don’t have to do that, Shaun.”

“No, I don’t. But do you really think I’m so addicted to your coffee and donuts that I have to come in here every single day of my life, and eat and drink them until it’s almost awkward before I’m finally able to make myself leave?”

Bailey looked up at him again, her expression indicating her surprise.

“There’s a reason I come in here every day. And it’s not the coffee. Not that it’s not good, but, you’re better.”

The bell on the door jingled and Shaun glanced over his shoulder to see Remi walk in, before he turned back to her. “You deserve better. It could be me.”

Bailey stood speechless, looking at Shaun as his meaning sank in.

“I hope you have the best day, Bailey. I’ll see you in the morning.” He walked away from the counter and inclined his head at Remi. “Remi,” he said, by way of a greeting.

“Shaun,” Remi returned. Remi watched Shaun as he left the coffee shop, then turned and walked the rest of the way up to the counter. “Did he just say what I think he said?” Remi asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bailey said.

“I thought I heard him say you deserved better and he could be it.”

Bailey shrugged. “I don’t know, Remi. Why are you here?”

“Because I wanted to tell you good morning. And I wanted to see if you’re feeling better.”

“I’m fine. Do you need coffee or something?”

“Yeah, the usual, I guess.”

“Just for you, or for everybody.”

“Just me. Nobody’s working today. Oh, can you duplicate it, please?”

“Sure, what does Cristie like?”

“Huh? Who said anything about Cristie?”

“I figured since you wanted double, it would be to take it to her.”

“Bailey, you really need to get over that. There is nothing going on between me and Cristie.”

“I think maybe we need a break.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Well, I hate to have to be the bad guy, but I do.” She handed him two large black coffees and two raspberry scones, then rang it up. “Thirteen seventy-five.”

He handed her fifteen and stood there, watching her as she made his change.

She handed it to him and smiled just like she did for every single customer that entered the coffee shop. “Enjoy! Have a great day.”

Remi didn’t say anything, but he put the change she gave him in her tip jar then picked up the tray with the two coffees and scones.

“I’m really not sure what’s going on here, Bailey.

But this is not over. I’ll give you some space, but then we’re going to talk it out.

I care about you. I’m not willing to just walk away. ”

“Remi, I’m not angry with you. I’m just not a fool. I don’t like being made a fool of, and I certainly don’t want anyone that I have to compete for.”

“You’re my girl! You don’t have to compete with anyone.”

“It’s not my imagination, Remi. Others noticed it, too. And you know what? You owe me nothing. We aren’t married. We were just dating, and now there’s someone else that catches your attention. It’s fine.”

“It is not fine. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“If you want coffee, you’re always welcome here. If it’s just to see me, please don’t.”

“Bailey!” he said, watching her as she turned and went through the double doors and back into the kitchen.

He waited for a few seconds, but she didn’t come back out. “Bailey! Bailey, come out here!”

She didn’t answer, nor did she come back out front.

“I know you’re upset. I’ll be back tomorrow and we can talk then.” He waited to see if she’d answer, but there wasn’t even a sound to be heard. “Bailey?”

Frustrated, he took his coffees and scones and left.

He sat in his car and watched through the windows of the coffee shop to see if she came back into the front of the shop, but she didn’t.

Shaking his head in disbelief, he finally started his car and drove away.

When he got home, instead of pulling into his own driveway, he pulled into Christian’s.

He got out and knocked on the door, but no one answered.

Too worked up to go home and just stew alone, he got back in his car and drove away.

After making it back to the entrance of their land, he decided the only person that might make him feel better was his mother.

He crossed the highway, then drove up the gravel drive toward the top of the hill.

Once there, he slowed even more when he realized that there was still a vehicle or two there that weren’t usually, which indicated that some of the guests from Havoc and Analise’s wedding might not have left yet.

Taking care to give the vehicles a wide berth so he didn’t spew gravel at them, he pulled up right in front of his parents’ house.

He opened the door, then leaned over to get the coffee and scones off the front floorboard and got out. He didn’t even look behind himself, all he wanted to do was talk to his mother. He stepped up onto the small porch and tapped on the door, opening it slightly and calling out. “Anybody home?”

“Remi?” Avaleigh asked, walking into the living room from the kitchen. “Well, this is a nice surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I just wanted to talk to you,” Remi said, pausing to hug her really tight.

“Where’s Dad and Angelle?” he asked, wondering suddenly if he should have gotten more scones.

“Angelle wanted to go fishing, so Dad took her for a few days. They’re camping. I don’t know where that girl got her outside gene from. She just loves nature.”

He didn’t smile. He just nodded ever so slightly. “It’d be hard not to growing up around here.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked, picking up on his subdued mood.

“Nothing. Want to share some coffee with me?” he asked.

“Sure, if you have enough.”

He held up the cardboard tray. “I have about half a gallon.”

Avaleigh laughed. “Those are some seriously big to-go cups.”

“I have raspberry scones, too.”

“Ohhh, from Bailey’s? Those are so good!”

“Yeah. They’re my favorite.” He followed her into the kitchen, and placed the tray on the table. “You might want to grab some milk and sugar. I got the coffee black.”

“Your Daddy drinks it black, too. I’ve never been able to.

” She busied herself getting out the milk and sugar, and then got a coffee mug so he could pour some of one of his cups into her mug rather than pouring milk into the whole huge to-go cup he’d bought.

She put a couple of desert plates on the table for the scones, then sat down.

Remi filled her mug, then put one of the scones on her plate, and the other on his. He picked up his to-go cup and gulped down some of the coffee.

Avaleigh made her coffee, with lots of milk and sugar, then sipped it before taking a small bite of her scone. “This is really a treat. I’m so glad you came by this morning.”

“Me, too, Mom. I need to do it more often.”

“I’d love that.”

“Bailey is trying to break up with me,” he blurted out.

“Ah, yeah. I thought it might be coming. I just didn’t know if it would be you or her.”

“Ma! Why would you say that?”

“Remi, honey, it’s obvious.”

“How can it be obvious when I have no clue what’s going on?”

“Seriously?” she asked doubtfully.

“It’s like everybody’s lost it! Shaun is flirting with my girl, my girl is telling me we need a break, and you’re saying you didn’t know if it would be me or her that would end it. What did I miss?” he asked irritatedly.

“You honestly have no clue?”

“No!”

“Cristie,” Avaleigh said.

“Oh, my God! You, too? There is nothing going on between me and Cristie.”

“No, not a thing. Yet.”

Remi looked at his mother, appalled that she’d think he’d cheat on Bailey. “Mom, I’m with Bailey.”

“Yes, you are. And the moment Cristie walked into sight yesterday, you almost lost the ability to speak. You didn’t hear Bailey speaking to you.

You didn’t hear any one at all speaking to you.

And then when Cristie went back to sit with her parents, all you did was stare at her.

For the rest of the night you stared at her, or you were looking around, trying to find her. ”

“I was not! I was just glad to see an old friend.”

“Remi, honey, be honest with yourself.”

“I wouldn’t cheat on Bailey, or anyone else for that matter. That’s not who I am.”