Page 71 of Heartbeats & Highways

“Why?” I asked.

“Million-dollar question.” Brielle shrugged. “He drove you here? Before work?”

I shook my head. “It’s a long story, but he ended up giving me the day off.”

A cell phone rang, and Brielle fished it out of her apron pocket. She looked at it and smirked. She tapped the screen and put the phone to her ear. “She’s not coming out.”

“Homer?” Jazz mouthed at Brielle, who nodded.

“She’s done, Homer,” Brielle said. “She’s done waiting for you to make your move. When I caught you two yelling your feelings for each other during Mom and Dad’s Christmas party, I gave you both my blessing. There’s no reason for you to—” She paused. “All right. Hang on.”

She held out the phone to Jazz, who shook her head. “I’m not talking to him.”

Brielle put the cell to her ear. “Did you hear that? She’s not—fine, I’ll tell her.” She hung up the phone. “He said that if you don’t go out there and talk to him then he’s going to come in here and carry you out over his shoulder.”

Jazz’s eyes glazed over.

“Ew, that should be hot, but it’s my brother . . .” Brielle wrinkled her nose.

“It’s very caveman-esque, but he’d never actually do it. He’s all bluster.” Jazz looked at me. “So, what are you having?”

“I’ll have?—”

The door to the bakery opened and Homer loomed in the doorway.

“Uh-oh,” Jazz muttered.

“Yeah, biguh-oh,” Brielle agreed. “Hey, Homer.”

Homer didn’t say anything—he just stalked across the room with his eyes on Jazz. He came around the counter.

“This is a health code violation,” Jazz taunted. “You don’t work here.”

Without a word, Homer bent down, cradled the back of her head, and kissed her. Only when she was melting in his arms did he pull back.

“You—you . . .” Jazz couldn’t seem to form a word as she stared up at him.

Homer said nothing. Instead, he grasped her hand and all but dragged her to the exit. She didn’t utter a protest.

The bell on the door jangled before closing behind them.

“Huh,” Brielle said, chewing on her lip.

“Huh, what?” I asked.

“I guess telling Homer that Jazz was going on a date tonight finally got his ass in gear.” She grinned.

I smiled back. “I guess so.”

“They better name their first kid after me. Now, seriously, what are you ordering?”

Chapter 20

I sat at a corner table,nursing my hot chocolate and nibbling on a fresh bear claw when Jazz finally returned. Even from the slight distance, I could tell her cheeks were flushed and there was a sparkle in her eyes.

She saw me and waved before getting back behind the counter. Brielle said something to her that caused Jazz to nod. Jazz made two drinks at the espresso machine while Brielle ducked into the back, returning a few moments later with a young woman who took up residence at the register.

Jazz handed Brielle a cup and then the two of them walked toward me.

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