Page 29 of Ashes of Us
"Did you sell out again?" she demanded.
"Every last croissant."
"I fucking knew it!" She set the wine on the counter. "This place is going to be huge. I'm calling it now. You're going to have to expand. Hire a whole team. Franchise this shit."
"Let's maybe get through week one first."
"Boring. I'm already planning your empire." She opened the bottle with a corkscrew she'd pulled from her purse. "You have cups?"
"In the back."
She disappeared into the tiny kitchen and came back with two coffee mugs. Poured wine into both, handed me one.
"To Rise & Shine," she said, lifting her mug. "And to my brilliant sister who actually did the thing."
We clinked mugs and drank. The wine was cheap and too sweet, exactly Maya's style.
"Okay, but real talk." She hopped up onto the counter, ignoring my look. "When was the last time you did something that wasn't bakery-related?"
"I went to the grocery store yesterday."
"To buy flour and butter. Doesn't count."
I went back to sweeping. "I've been busy. Opening a business is?—"
"An excuse to avoid having a life outside of work, yeah, I know." She took another sip. "You've been single for a year."
"And?"
"And you're hot and successful and you own your own business. You should be fighting men off with a rolling pin."
"I'm not interested in dating right now."
"That's what you said six months ago."
"And it's still true." I dumped the dustpan into the trash. "I'm happy, Maya. The bakery is doing well. I have my own place. I'm not sitting around pining for—" I stopped myself.
We didn't say his name anymore. Hadn't in months.
Maya's expression softened. "I know you're happy. I can see it. You're literally glowing, it's disgusting." She swirled her wine. "But you're allowed to have both, you know. The bakery and a personal life."
"I have a personal life. I have you."
"I'm your sister, I don't count. I'm legally obligated to hang out with you." She set down her cup. "Look. I'm not saying you need to get married or fall in love or whatever. I'm just saying... maybe it's time to dip a toe back in the pool."
"Maya—"
"Hear me out." She held up a hand. "You remember Josh?"
"Your ex? The one who laughed like a dying seal?"
"That's the one. His best friend is single. And before you make that face, no, he's nothing like Josh. Daniel's great. Smart, funny, has a real job. He's an EMT."
I stopped wiping down the counter. "An EMT?"
"Yeah. Works with Station 47 sometimes on calls." She watched my face carefully. "I know that's complicated, but he's solid. Good guy. I've known him for years."
Station 47. Where Liam used to work. Where the whole thing had started and ended.
