Page 37 of The Uncomplicated Café
“How did you know to come here, to Blessings Bay?” Logan asked.
“I can only describe it as an act of God,” Sam confessed, addressing the adults for the first time. “After the coma, the hospital got me connected to a nonprofit that helps people in my situation. They set me up with a loaner vehicle, a place to stay, and a part-time job while I continued therapy and a legal aid worked on my case. They saved my life.” His eyes glistened with gratitude. “One day on the job, someone mentioned this café he ran across on a day trip with his wife. While he raved about the coffee, I couldn’t get the name of the place out of my head. It became an obsession. On my next day off, I drove out here, hoping to find out why I couldn’t shake the feeling that it meant something. While that first visit didn’t spark any memories, something told me to come back. So, I did. Day after day, praying for a miracle. Then Abby walked in.” He met her gaze, communicating a world of appreciation in a single glance. “When you mentioned Max, something clicked inside here.” He tapped his chest, over his heart. “I didn’t know why or what it meant, but I had the same undeniable gut-level hunch when my co-worker mentioned the café. That’s why I followed you, why I agreed to stay.”
Abby reeled at his confession, unsure how to process the role she’d played in their reunion. What if she hadn’t walked into CeCe’s that day? What if she’d never mentioned Max? What would have happened?
“But it wasn’t until you hugged me, Max,” Sam continued, tousling his son’s hair, “that some of my memories came back.”
Max glowed with pride.
Straightening with an assertiveness Abby had never seen before, Sam told them, “God brought me back to my son. And words can’t express how thankful I am to find him so healthy and happy.” He glanced between Abby, Logan, and Carla. “I don’t know how to repay you for taking care of Max when I couldn’t.”
Don’t take him away, Abby’s heart pleaded, but words wouldn’t follow.
“We’re happy to be here for Max,” Carla said on behalf of them all. “And while I’m inclined to believe the events you described and can understand how such events would alter someone’s appearance as drastically as they have yours, I hope you understand that there’s a necessary protocol to follow. I’ll need to contact the hospital and the nonprofit. And I’ll need you to consent to a DNA test.”
“Of course. I’ll do whatever is necessary.” Sam placed a hand on Max’s shoulder. “I just want to be with my son.”
My son…
Not hers. Not Logan’s.
Their family no longer existed.
And she had no idea how to move forward from here.
Chapter Twenty-One
CECE
CeCe savoredthe last spoonful of her lemon bar ice cream, relishing the tart citrus burst blended with a sweet and buttery cookie crumble. The sun sank low in the sky, casting pinks and gold across the bay. A mirthful, raucous crowd mingled on Blessings Beach, dancing barefoot on the sand and broiling freshly caught fish in wire baskets over crackling bonfires.
She didn’t usually enjoy such large gatherings, but tonight, with Jayce by her side, she’d never felt more at ease. They’d danced to classic cover songs by the local band, Blessings Beats, ate their fill of delicious food, and had even participated in the sandcastle competition. Sure, their attempt at re-creating the StarshipEnterprisemore closely resembled a pancake flanked by two deformed sausages, but they’d had fun.Toomuch fun. In fact, for the first time since Jayce left home, she’d wondered if he’d made the right decision. At least, thesaferdecision.
With half a state between them, she could more easily guard her heart. But being this close, spending so much time together, she found herself falling even deeper in love, despite her best intentions to keep an emotional distance.
Thank goodness for the paparazzi. Their presence—the flash of bulbs and shouts to “hold hands” or “stand closer”—kept hergrounded, reminding her that whatever currents of electricity she felt between them weren’t real. The spine-tingling glances, the sultry smiles, even the intimate touches along her arm or gentle sweeping of hair away from her face, they were all part of the game. A game he played a little too well.
“Sorry about this,” Jayce whispered, leaning in so close, she felt his warm breath graze the tip of her ear, making her shiver. “I promised them three hours of following us around, then they agreed to leave us alone for a while.”
“It’s okay.” As they strolled the shoreline, watching the frothy tide tickle the sand, she tried not to focus on his heady scent—rich and musky with hints of sun and sea spray. “I’m actually amazed by the rapport you have with them. I’ve always viewed paparazzi as some feral species with no boundaries or common decency.”
He laughed in his easy, infectious way. “We’ve come to an understanding over the years. They give me space and a little respect, and I make sure they get the photos they want. Occasionally, they’ll go rogue, but I can usually rein them back in with a friendly conversation and a photo opp.”
“Is there anyone you can’t woo with your charm?” she teased.
“Just you.” He cast her a sideways glance, but she couldn’t read his expression. Was his tone purely playful? Or did she detect a hint of something more?
Best not to board that train of thought.“That’s because I’ve seen you drink your weight in soda and burp the alphabet.”
“Hey! I was fourteen. Give me a little credit. I’m a classy guy now.”
She snorted in amusement, and they strolled a few more feet in companionable silence, enjoying the rumble of ocean waves as the celebratory cacophony dimmed in the distance.
“Look!” Jayce stopped abruptly and grabbed her hand, tugging her to stand beside him. Pointing toward the horizonline, he drew her attention to playful sea lions, ducking and diving in the water, silhouetted by the setting sun.
“Wow,” she breathed. “They’re beautiful.” Her heart pounded in her chest. Jayce still hadn’t let go of her hand.
“I had a good time tonight,” he said softly, his tone low and rough.
