Jensen turned at the sound of my footsteps, her glossy, dark hair swinging. She was breathtakingly beautiful and didn’t even try, though the shadows under her eyes told me that she still wasn’t sleeping. “Perfect timing, there are only two left in the case. This new recipe of yours is officially a hit.”
My lips tipped up. At least my years of cooking for Garrett had given me a useful skill. And I liked baking, especially when the recipients were grateful instead of criticizing. “I’m glad. I’ll just stick these in the case and then get started on a batch of cookies for the afternoon rush.”
Jensen grasped my shoulder in a squeeze, and I did my best not to flinch. I was semi-successful, but she immediately dropped her hand. “What did I ever do without you? Promise me you’ll never leave me.”
I gave a forced smile. “Never.”
The bell above the front door sounded, and I fought a groan. Bridgette Henry. She was beautiful for sure, but in a way that made her look like a Stepford wife or a plastic Barbie doll. She was one of those girls who had been mean and catty in high school and never grew out of it. I hurried to empty my tray of baked goods faster.
“Hello, Bridgette,” Jensen called in a tone of forced politeness. “What can I get for you today? Tessa just pulled some scones out of the oven, they’re her brand new recipe.”
Bridgette wrinkled up her nose at me as if she smelled something bad. “What kind?”
I cleared my throat and stood up straight. “They’re spinach and feta with a hint of garlic.”
Her lip curled. “I’ll just take my usual chai latte, Jensen.”
“Sure,” Jensen answered through slightly gritted teeth. “I’ll get that right out to you.”
Bridgette nodded in response and left her three dollars on the counter before heading to one of the tables at the front of the shop. She didn’t leave a tip. Shocker.
Jensen snorted. “You’d think almost getting killed would make someone a little nicer.”
My jaw fell open. Bridgette had almost been kidnapped by a serial killer a few months ago. A madman who had ended up being Jensen’s boyfriend at the time. Jensen thankfully hadn’t been hurt, but she still carried scars from not realizing the truth about the man she’d fallen for. Jensen never talked about him or what had happened. Ever. My mouth opened and closed as I searched for words.
Jensen waved a hand in front of her face. “Oh, come on, the entire town thinks it. She almost got herself murdered because of her bitchy ways, and she doesn’t even think about changing her tune?”
I reached a hand out to grasp Jensen’s forearm. “J—”
She cut me off before I could continue, stepping out of my grasp. “I don’t want to talk about him.” Her hands shook as she placed the money in the register, a look of pain flashing across her face.
I twisted the strings of my apron around my finger. I was worried about her. Jensen’s view of the world seemed to have shifted since her ordeal. I knew she was hurting, but I wasn’t sure how I could help.
I shuffled my feet as I searched for the right words. “I won’t force you to talk about anything you don’t want to.” Lord knew I carried my share of secrets Jensen knew nothing about. “But I just want you to know that I’m here if you ever change your mind.”
Jensen jerked her head in a stiff nod. And I knew that was as good as I was going to get.
2
Liam
Notes of my absentminded strumming filled the air as I tilted my face towards the sun, soaking up its rays. It felt heavenly. Inhaling deeply, my lungs filled with the scent of pine trees instead of the smog of Los Angeles. It was such a welcome change of pace.
I let my eyes open, taking in the view in front of me. A creek flowed below my deck, making its way through a field where a couple of horses grazed. The pasture rolled right into an expanse of forest that seemed to go on forever. It was perfect.
No award shows forcing me to wear a tux. No schmoozing with record execs. No paparazzi dogging my every move. Here, I was free.
My fingers continued shaping chords, but no inspiration struck. I fought the urge to send my guitar sailing over the railing. I might have found freedom in Sutter Lake, but I sure as shit hadn’t reclaimed my ability to make music.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs leading up to the back deck. A head of blonde hair appeared. When her feet landed on the top step, her hands went to her hips, and her eyes narrowed. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
I bit back a grin. I was so fucking glad to see that my friend had her fire back. “Hey there, Taylor.”
“Don’t you try to pull your good-ol’-boy charm on me.”
I snickered. “All right. Pull up a chair.”
Taylor stomped over to the rocker next to mine. “Why are you avoiding me?” I glanced over, and my gut clenched at the uncertainty that flashed in her eyes. “Are you mad at me?”
