Bailey had to choke back a sudden threat of tears. She had no doubt that Cristie’s mom truly meant it. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Maia turned, sipping on one of the coffees and carrying three of the five boxes. She paused between Remi and Riley who were in a staring contest. “Carry these,” Maia said. Handing Riley the boxes.
Riley accepted the boxes, then after a last glare at Remi, who was visibly miserable, turned to follow Maia to the door. “Cristie!” he said impatiently, without looking back.
Cristie was still standing at the counter. She smiled at Bailey as Bailey handed her the last two boxes, and the cardboard drink carrier with the other three coffees in it. “I’m so sorry, Bailey. I had no idea of all this, or I’d have stayed away.”
“I don’t understand,” Bailey said, confused at what Cristie was trying to say.
“I honestly looked forward to meeting Remi’s girlfriend. I didn’t plan any of this or ask for any of it. Please, when the time comes that you do understand, just try to remember that. I’ll be going home in the morning, and even if my parents do come back for a visit, I won’t be joining them. Don’t allow me to influence your decision. Remi’s a good male, and you’re so sweet, you both deserve to be happy.”
Bailey reached out this time, laying her fingers on Cristie’s wrist. “Please, tell me what’s happening.”
“I’m sure Remi will. And Mom’s right. We wish you every happiness. Thanks for this,” Cristie said, lifting the boxes enough to indicate the pastries. “Bye.”
Bailey slowly pulled her hand away from Cristie and watched her leave the shop with her parents.
Remi stood at the window watching them go back across the street to get in Riley’s truck, then wandered absent-mindedly out to stand on the sidewalk and watch them as they drove away until they were out of sight.
“Bailey?” Shaun said, as he walked slowly toward her.
She pulled her attention away from Remi who was unable to look away from Cristie, and focused on Shaun.
“I have no way of understanding what you’re feeling. I’ve never been in your shoes. But I’m here for you, no matter what it is that you need. No judgment. A shoulder. A friend. Another chance at what you thought you’d found… Any of it. But regardless you should know that Remi didn’t plan this. He’s not doing anything intentionally to hurt or disappoint anyone. It’s just the way things happen some times in our world. He’s as much blindsided as you are.”
“What do you mean “your world’?” she asked.
Shaun looked over his shoulder at Remi still standing outside, staring in the direction he last saw Cristie’s family’s truck driving away in. “If he doesn’t explain things to you tonight, call me. I’ll do it. But he deserves the chance to explain things, make them right on his own.”
Bailey nodded, but her expression indicated how confused she was.
“Hi, Bailey. Can I get some stuff, too?” Brandt asked, thinking maybe routine would distract her.
“Sure. Hi, Brandt. How’s Tempest feeling?”
“She’s miserable,” Brandt said honestly, with a chuckle.
Bailey smiled. “Tell her I’ll call her later, yeah?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll get you some of her favorites,” Bailey said, and started filling some boxes with turnovers and cream puffs and eclairs. “I know she can’t have caffeine, but I can send her a frozen chocolate milk with whipped cream.”
“She’d love that,” Brandt said. He accepted his boxes, and the frozen chocolate milk and paid her, along with a healthy tip. “Hey, come on by any time you want, okay?”
“Thank you. I might do that. I kind of have the feeling I’ll need a girls’ session sometime soon.”
“You can come to my house, too. You know where I live, right?” Shaun asked.
“I do.”
“Bailey? Right?” Lucien asked.
Bailey’s head swiveled in Lucien’s direction and both her brows raised in surprise.
He smiled that smile of his that made most human women lose control. “I’m Lucien. I’m Hellen’s ma... male… man,” he finally settled on, searching for the right term when he caught himself about to say mate.
“Lucky Hellen,” Bailey said.
