Page 118 of I'll Keep Her Safe

“Morning,” Wyatt says with a sleepy smile from where he’s leaning against the counter.

I fight the urge to walk over and snuggle into his side, turning to Bailey. My stomach pinches nervously. I want nothing more than to throw my arms around my friend, but I’m not sure where we stand. We’ve barely spoken since Wyatt returned from San Francisco. I’ve sent the occasional message, but her replies have been stilted, one-word answers, if she replied at all. And when I asked if I could call her so we could talk, she said she was too busy with work. I mean, I know she’s busy, but too busy for a phone call? I didn’t buy that for a second.

“Hey,” I murmur tentatively. “What are you doing here?”

She lifts a shoulder, twisting her lips to one side. Seems I’m not the only one feeling awkward.

“I don’t like how we left things.” She runs a hand uneasily through her short, platinum-blond hair. “I was hoping… are you free today? Maybe we could hang out?”

A cool wave of relief washes over me. It’s not the fierce hug I’m used to after we’ve been apart, but I’ll take it.

“I’d love that.” I look at Wyatt, who nods.

“I’ve got some errands to run today, so you guys go out. Stay out all day, if you like.” His gaze slides to Bailey, and they share some kind of silent communication I don’t understand.

“Sounds good.” I smile uncertainly at Bailey, then rush upstairs to shower and dress for the day. When I return, she and her dad are whispering about something, and they spring apart as I enter the kitchen.

Weird.

“Ready?” Bailey asks in a high voice most unlike her. “Let’s get coffee. I need it.”

I hesitate, wanting to kiss Wyatt goodbye, yet knowing I probably shouldn’t with Bailey right there. At least, not until we’ve talked everything through.

But she turns away, as if giving me permission, and I peck him on the cheek before we head out into the fresh morning air. We walk to Joe’s in uncomfortable silence, and I distract myself by looking at the ginkgo and pin oak trees that line the street, their leaves brown and gold as fall settles in.

Daisy’s behind the counter when we enter, and her face lights up when she sees me, even more so when she notices Bailey. After the Kurt confrontation, Daisy, Violet, and I went out for celebratory drinks, and it was lovely to feel supported by my new friends. Especially when I wanted desperately to share my triumph with Bailey, and couldn’t.

“Hey, Poppy.” Daisy grins. “It’s nice to see you in here.”

I nod. I haven’t returned since Dave fired me, more out of embarrassment than anything else, but after dealing with Kurt I feel better. Stronger.

“This is my…” I cringe. “Bailey.” I was going to saymy best friend, but I’m not getting best friend vibes from her, even if she did ask to spend the day with me. “Bailey, this is my friend and neighbor, Daisy.”

The two exchange a smile, but Bailey still seems tense, and anxiety swoops through me. We order our coffee and turn to find a table, when Dave appears behind the counter.

“Hey, Poppy,” he says warily. “Have you got a minute?”

My stomach drops. Is he going to ask me to leave?

“Uh, sure.” I motion for Bailey to take a seat, then turn back to Dave. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to apologize… Shit.” He drags a hand down his face, looking agonized. “I had no idea how bad things were with your ex. Daisy told me he’s been causing trouble for you, and I’m sorry for the way I handled things. If I’d known…”

I smile, softening with relief. Poor Dave looks like he’s on the verge of tears.

“It’s okay. I get it.”

He lets out a long-held breath. “I hear you’ve started a catering company. I’ve been looking for some new baked goods to stock in our cabinets. Maybe you could bring in a selection for me to check out?”

I grin. Supplying a local coffee shop would be a dream.

“I’d love to, Dave. Thanks.”

We make a plan for me to bring an assortment of cookies, muffins, and cakes to the shop next week, then I glance around for Bailey. She’s at a table in the corner, picking absently at a nail, and I wander over to join her. I’m glad to have patched things up with Dave, and excited at the prospect of potentially becoming a supplier for Joe’s, but the moment I settle in at the table with my friend, my gut tightens with nerves again. I want to talk to Bailey, but I don’t know where to start, so we sit and wait for our coffee in strained silence. After a while it becomes unbearable, and I need to get some words out, to figure out where I stand with her. Wyatt said she’d given us her blessing, so why doesn’t it feel that way?

“So, listen,” I begin, as she turns to me and says, “I’m sorry.”

My brows shoot up. “Why areyouapologizing?”

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