Page 70 of Heartbeats & Highways

“I’m giving you exactly three seconds to prepare yourself,” I said.

“Prepare myself? For what?”

“For my incoming hug.”

“What? No, I don’t want?—”

I reached across the car and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “I won’t tell anyone, I promise,” I whispered.

“Can this be over now?” he pleaded.

I dropped my arms and moved away. “Thanks, Homer.”

“Take the twenty.”

I shook my head. “You’ve done enough. Keep your money. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” he agreed with a glower. “Send Jazz out here, will you?”

“Jazz is working?”

He nodded.

“Okay,” I said with a sigh. “I’ll send her out.”

A cheery bell rang when I opened the bakery door and immediately my spirits lifted at the smell of sugar and lemon in the air.

A few of the tables were occupied, but there was no line at the counter. Jazz closed the register drawer and looked up. She smiled in surprise.

“Hi, Evie! Oh my God, your hair looks amazing!”

“Thanks.” I gave her a shy smile.

“Are you on your way to Three Kings?” she asked, looking behind me. “Is Savage with you?”

I shook my head. “Actually, Homer just gave me a ride here. And I have the day off.”

She raised her brows. “Oh?”

I nodded. “He—ah—asked for you. He’s out front.”

Jazz tossed her long, dark braid over her shoulder. “Then he can wait out there all he wants.”

“What am I missing?” I asked. “What’s with you two?”

Brielle came out of the back kitchen, carting a tray of freshly baked bear claws. “What’s with who?” She set the tray down on the counter. “Hey, Evie. That hair cut looks great on you.”

“Thanks,” I replied, suddenly realizing why Homer had brought me here of all places. It hadn’t just been the promise of baked goods, but the company, too.

Teddy bear, through and through.

“Homer’s out front,” Jazz said to Brielle. “And he’s asking for me.”

“And you’re not going out there,” Brielle said with an unhurried smile.

“Nope.”

Brielle laughed and turned to me. “Jazz has been in love with Homer for as long as any of us can remember. My brother is also in love with Jazz, but he refuses to stake his claim.”

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