Page 27 of Goose's Wren

By the time I pull into the gravel lot in behind Bella’s Brew, I’ve mostly gotten my head straight.

Mostly.

There’s still a little voice whispering towel, tattoos, damp skin, but I shove it aside as I kill the engine and step out into the warm morning air.The bell over the door jingles as I push it open, the familiar scent of roasted beans and fresh cinnamon hits me instantly.

Bella’s behind the counter, wiping down the espresso machine with her usual energy and flair.Her blonde hair tied up in a messy bun, and she’s humming something soft under her breath.

Hayden is there too, Blade’s wife, sorting pastries into the glass display case with her sleeves pushed up and a smudge of flour on her cheek.

“Wren!”Bella sings out when she sees me.“You’re just in time for the last cinnamon apple muffin.I saved it.You’re welcome.”

I laugh as I walk up to the counter.“You’re too good to me.”

“Nah,” she says with a wink.“I just know you get mean without sugar.”

Hayden looks up and grins.“Morning, sunshine.Coffee?”

“Please,” I say with a grateful sigh, leaning my hip against the counter.“Large.Extra shot.It’s a think-about-your-life-choices kind of day.”

“Oh?”Bella arches a perfectly plucked brow as she starts working the espresso machine.“That have anything to do with a certain broody biker you’ve been living with?”

I feel my cheeks flush instantly.Dammit.I try to cover it by fidgeting with the strap of my bag, but Hayden catches it too.Her smile grows.

“Wow,” she says, laughing softly.“Look at that blush.Wren, you’re practically glowing.”

“I am not,” I mumble, though I can feel the heat crawling all the way up to my ears.

Bella just grins like a cat who’s cornered a mouse.“Honey, you could power the town with that blush.”

I groan and bury my face in my hands.“Why did I come in here again?”

“Because you need coffee and you like us,” Hayden teases.

Bella leans her elbows on the counter and looks at me, all playful but with that knowing warmth in her eyes.“So...how are things with Goose?”

I open my mouth, then close it.Then open it again.“They’re...good.I think.I mean, we talk a lot.Every night, really.It’s nice.”

“Nice,” Bella repeats, clearly unconvinced.

“Okay, more than nice,” I admit, cheeks still burning.“It’s different now.We’re not avoiding each other like we were.He listens.He asks questions.He makes me laugh.”

Hayden slides my coffee across the counter and adds quietly, “And you want to jump him every time he walks into the room, don’t you?”

I choke on air.“Hayden!”

She laughs outright and bumps her hip into Bella’s.“Tell me I’m wrong.”

I grab the coffee, trying to hide my grin behind the lid.“I hate both of you.”

Bella chuckles and leans in, resting her chin in her hand.“I always knew how you felt about him, Wren.Even when you were too scared to say it out loud.”

My heart stutters as my fingers tighten around the coffee cup.

Bella adds softly, “Maybe he’s finally starting to see it too.”

I swallow hard, emotions twisting in my chest.There’s hope there now, flickering where there used to only be fear.Maybe he is seeing it.

“Thanks,” I whisper.“For not laughing at me.”

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