Page 44 of By the Book

I think of what Stevie and Tripp both touched on when talking about New York, about how it’s okay that wasn’t my dream. And turning the corner to see the café glowing in the dusk, I think that maybe they have a point. Because I never felt as happy in New York as I do stepping into this familiar establishment to spend time with my closest friends.

Opening the door, I’m greeted by a rush of warmth, followed closely by Café Around the Corner’s signature scent combination—coffee, caramel, and spice. I turn to find Poppy already at our table and give her a wave as I step up to place my order.

“Hi, can I get a pumpkin hot chocolate? Oh, and a slice of the apple cinnamon bread, please.”

“Coming right up,” the barista tells me. She’s new, a high school student Nessa was excited to hire last month. And she has every reason to be excited, Nessa spends nearly all her time at this café. Between her hours and Millie’s patrol, it’s a wonder they ever see one another. I think about Tripp’s schedule and my shop hours, wondering if we could make it work like they seem to.

She slides a paper cup and pastry sleeve over to me. Both are warm as I scoop them up, and my mouth is already watering for the fresh bread. I cross over to the empty seat beside Poppy and drop down into it.

“Pumpkin hot chocolate?” she asks, eying my cup.

“Yours too?”

“I don’t know what Nessa has in this recipe, but I will figure it out.” Poppy takes a sip, her face pinched in focus. “Hazelnut, maybe?”

“If you make some test batches, I will gladly sample for you.”

“Deal. Hey, by the way, did I interrupt something the other night? Outside town hall?”

There is a familiar, devilish glint in her eye that tells me she’s already decided the answer to her own question. I tear off a corner of my bread and nibble on it wordlessly. She certainly had.

“I don’t think it’s just in my head anymore,” I tell her.

“What’s not in your head?” Wren asks, appearing at the table, Stevie in tow. They pull out their chairs and watch me expectantly.

“Things with Tripp,” I reply through a smile.

“Oh my gosh did you two, like—” Stevie says, completing the thought with a suggestive hand gesture.

“I’m sorry, what was that supposed to be?” I ask innocently.

“Ivy, what are the chances?” A male voice interrupts us.

Turning, I find Reid standing over me. His dark hair is slicked back, and his coat hangs open, revealing a dark navy suit and tie. He must have come straight from the office, but why he came here is beyond me. My father had mentioned that he was newer to the area, specifically for this job at the firm. And, luckily, I haven’t seen him around town since he arrived, save for my mother’s party.

“Hi, Reid.” I slip into my polite smile flawlessly, like I’ve done so many times before.

“Since I’ve got you, I was thinking we could go grab a drink sometime. This weekend?”

“How nice, but I am going to have to say no.” I keep my smile in place, despite the uneasy feeling in my stomach. The man is practically sneering back at me.

“That guy from the pig roast, is he your boyfriend? Though he spent more time with your brother than you that night, so maybe boyfriend isn’t right. Are you his dirty little secret?” He grins as if he’s in on a dirty secret about me. And it’s clear he’s referring to Tripp.

“She said no. So, you should probably just go,” Poppy snarls.

I look at her gratefully, some of the tension loosening in my chest. My friends are nearly as protective as Tripp, if not fiercer about it at times, though Tripp had threatened physical harm if Reid came near me again. Reid is either incredibly foolish or just that arrogant, maybe a bit of both.

“Whatever, you’ll come to me next time,” he huffs, withdrawing a key fob from his pocket and starting his car through the window. Just a single key for his car. No house key, no harbor key. Interesting. The four of us exchange a look as he leaves without another word.

“Did you notice?” Stevie asks, hiding her mouth behind her cup, as if Reid will somehow turn around and read her lips.

“I wonder where all his keys are,” Wren replies with a raised eyebrow.

“You know Tripp doesn’t see you like that, right? As a dirty little secret,” Poppy points out.

I nod, tearing off another piece of my apple cinnamon bread. Through a mouth full of the sweet baked good, I say, “I wouldn’t mind being his dirty littlesomethingthough.”

Poppy grabs my hand and lets out a, “Yes, girl!”

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