“So, in other words, I’d better stick to teaching?”
Emily’s smile grew so wide that it made the rest of her mouth hurt. “I think it would be better for everyone involved.”
Jack exhaled. “I need to work on my flattering.”
Emily said nothing as the two of them stepped to the side, allowing Jack to peer at the goods on display. While his eyes scanned everything, Emily found herself unable to look away.Everything from the way he dressed to the way he smelled stirred something within her.
Something she hadn’t felt since the accident that claimed Trevor’s life years ago.
But she couldn’t possibly be drawn to Jack.
The romantic part of her life was over, and she had no interest in revisiting it.
She couldn’t.
What’s the matter with you? Why can’t you stop thinking about him? He’s just being nice.
The bell above the front door rang, and a group of teenagers stepped in, reeking of coffee and sweat. Together, the four of them huddled together and kept sneaking glances at the glass display. When they looked over at her, Emily gave them her most welcoming smile, but they didn’t return it.
“I can’t decide,” Jack said with a defeated sag of his shoulders. “Everything is so good that I’ve had to start walking to school just to keep the extra weight off.”
Emily placed a hand on her hips. “It sounds like you should be thanking me.”
Jack chuckled. “Well, yes. Now that I think about it, maybe I should. In more ways than one. I’ve been wanting to tell you how much I enjoyed your speech the other day.”
Emily’s brows furrowed together. “Speech?”
Jack made a vague hand gesture. “What you said the other day during support group. About how everyone’s grief timeline is different, and people shouldn’t compare because there’s no one size fits all.”
Emily blinked, and color crept up her neck and cheeks. “I had no idea you were listening so intently.”
Jack’s answering smile made the butterflies in her stomach erupt into a frenzy. “I love listening to your take on things. I think you’ve got a unique perspective on life.”
Emily’s face turned hotter. “Thank you. I feel the same—”
“There you are. Sorry to interrupt. I need your advice on something.” Amy appeared, gave Jack an apologetic smile, and covered her phone with her hand. “It’s about Eric.”
Emily motioned to one of the other employees and took off her apron.
As soon as she stepped out from behind the counter, Amy motioned to the booth in the back, where she sat. Emily sat down opposite Amy, her heart giving an odd little twinge when Jack gave her a half smile. Then, Amy sat down, the phone still cradled between her neck and shoulder. She covered it again and ran a hand over her face.
Amy placed her cup and muffin on the table and exhaled. “I don’t know what I should do. Eric is demanding I sign the NDA before he’ll sign the divorce papers.”
Emily linked her fingers together and frowned. “Didn’t your lawyer say that they’re circling the wagons?”
Amy exhaled. “He is, but he’s not going down without a fight. And I don’t want to spend the rest of my life lying to my kids. I don’t know if I’ll ever tell them the whole truth, but I want it to be my choice.”
Emily’s frown deepened. “Can’t your lawyer counter with anything?”
Amy’s expression lit up. “Yes, I—yes, hello? I’m still here. You’re still cutting off.”
Abruptly, she stood and offered Emily an apologetic smile. After pulling on her coat, she took a few bills out of her purse and handed them to Emily directly. Then, she darted out of the bakery, and Emily saw her through the windows, raking her fingers through her hair. Amy paced back and forth for so long that Emily considered stepping outside to check on her.
It had been a tumultuous few days since the meeting in the city.
And Emily couldn’t help but feel like Amy was still struggling to wrap her head around it, as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Given everything Emily knew about Eric Taylor, all from various sources, she couldn’t blame her.
But she hoped her friend’s unease was just because of everything she’d been through.
