Page 114 of All We Need

“No, no.Sorry,Igot distracted and forgot about it.Yourcappuccinos are always perfect,”Ireassure her.

“I’d be happy to make you another.Onthe house.It’snice to see you sitting in with your coffee more these days.Notthat you can’t take it to go.”Sheslaps a palm to her forehead before looking at me hopefully, and nowIfeel bad. “Sorry,I’ma blabbermouth.Youdo whatever you want.”

I’m usually too busy to sit in with my morning coffee, but coming toJustBrewIthas become part of my daily routinesinceChristmas.Quinn’schipper personality is oddly contagious and she makes the most mouthwatering pastries.

Her sunny attitude makes the idea of leaving less appealing suddenly.Irelax into my chair and give her a genuine smile. “I’mokay for coffee, butI’dlove one of your almond croissants.”

She beams at me, claps her hands, and jogs behind the counter.Rainbowsmight as well shoot out of her ass she’s so adorable.

Not one minute later, a flaky, buttery croissant appears in front of me.Tomy shock,Quinnslides her own steaming cup down and sits across from me.

“I hope this is okay.Ihaven’t had a break yet, and you looked like you could use some company.”

Laughing lightly,Isip my lukewarm coffee. “Ireally looked that miserable?”

Her eyes grow comically wide. “Notmiserable.Um, more, faraway?”

She’s not wrong, andIdon’t know what response that warrants.

“Did you want to talk about it?” she says warily, as if talking to a skittish animal. “Anew set of ears can be helpful.”

“It’s a long story.AndIdoubt your break is long enough to hear it all.”

She nods in understanding. “That’sfair.Plus,I’mbasically a stranger.”Hershoulders perk up, andIsee the lightbulb pop up above her head. “Oh, but let’s change that.Johanna,Florence, andIare having aGalentine’sdinner next month.Youshould join us.”

Quinn finds my bewildered expression hilarious.

“Layman’s terms: wine, cheese, and pajamas,” she clarifies. “Florencementioned strippers, but she’s the only single one in attendance.”

My brows shoot up andQuinnrealizes her slipup.

“You’re like fifty percent single.”Sheshrugs innocently. “Somaybe half a lap dance?”

It’s difficult not to laugh at her serious expression considering the topic at hand. “Iappreciate the invitation, butIwouldn’t want to intrude.”Thelast thingIwant is a pity invite because she spotted me looking pathetic in her bakery.

This might be the first timeI’veever witnessed her frown. “Iwouldn’t have invited you ifIdidn’t want you there.Jomentioned it yesterday.”Herresponse comes in fast. “It’llbe nice getting to knowBooth’s…”Withknitted brows, she asks, “Sorry, what are you two?It’stiring pretending we don’t know you guys are—”Shemakes a circle with her thumb and index finger, then slides her opposite one through the hole.

My coffee almost sprays out of my nose.

She smirks and hands me a wad of napkins. “Complicated, got it.”

I ignore the suggestive raise of her eyebrow and laugh, only it dies whenIremember the last conversationIhad with him.

I’m a broken faucet.Thepoor guy doesn’t know if he’s going to be scalded or given the cold shoulder.It’sanyone’s guess why he remains interested.

BeforeIcan dwell on it any further,Ismile atQuinn. “Countme in.”

She opens her mouth, but the chime of bells over the front door distracts her. “Mr.Willis.Fancyseeing you on aFriday.”

I still.Myreason for being here was momentarily forgotten.

Not wanting to give anything away,Itwist to face the newcomer and gasp.

Face red as a tomato, shoulders heaving up and down as he steadies his breathing, hand clutched to his chest with a pained expression.QuinnandIjump to our feet and run to where he’s keeled over.

“Martin, are you okay?”Irush out.

He wheezes in lieu of speaking.

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