Page 85 of Best Friends for Never

“There you are!” Parker comes blazing in through the door. “I’ve been looking all over for you, Axel. I— Oh. Noel.”

Gone is the contempt I feel for Axel. It’s swiftly replaced by elation.

Parker’s here.

Her eyes dart between Axel and me, and she carefully steps up beside me and places a calming hand on my arm, as if she can feel the tension radiating off me. “I didn’t realize you’d both be here. Is everything okay?”

“Fine,” I answer before Axel can. “I was just grabbing us some pie.”

“For breakfast?”

“Yep.”

“I knew I liked you.” She pushes to her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my cheek.

She does it so effortlessly that I don’t think she realizes it’s happened until Fran lets out a little squeak.

The baker smacks her hand over her mouth, eyes wide. “Sorry,” she says behind her hand.

Parker shrugs, either pretending not to be affected by Fran’s reaction or honestly not caring.

That would make one of us.

I care, and Axel cares too—if his flared nostrils are any indication.

“So what are you getting me? Because I hope it’s—”

“Apple coconut?”

“Yes! How’d you know it was my favorite?”

“Axel.”

She launches herself at the giant, hugging an arm that’s nearly as big as a toddler. “Oh, Axel. You really do love me, don’t you, best friend?”

He shakes her off, his lips turned down into his bushy red beard. “Stop it. It’s too early for this.”

“You’re going to admit it one day.” She grins up at him while he continues to frown. It’s his eyes that give him away, though. He adores her. It’s clear for anyone to see.

While I might never understand their friendship, especially given their history, I can see that it’s as genuine as it comes and that Axel truly cares for and wants the best for Parker.

I guess that makes him okay in my book.

“So, a slice of apple coconut and what else, Noel?” Fran asks from behind the counter.

“Cherry. It’s been far too long since I’ve had it.” I toss my thumb toward Axel. “And whatever the big guy wants. I’m buying.”

“A whole white chocolate and peach cobbler, then a slice of marionberry, please, Fran,” he requests with a smirk in my direction. “That’s okay, right?”

Dick.

I give him a tight smile. “Yep. Perfectly fine. Anything for mygood friendAxel here,” I say, laying the sarcasm on thick. We’re far from being friends, and Parker is the only reason I’m letting him get away with this. I turn back to Fran. “Ring me up.”

“You got it,” she says, jovially punching the buttons on the screen with a bit of hum.

I’m sure she’s feeling extra cheery right now, what with selling this much pie before 9:00 a.m.

Fran gives me my total, and I hand over my black card, then turn to Parker. “What are your plans for today?”

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