“I’m sorry.”
Shelby’s whisper had me turning my focus to her. “For what?” I asked.
She pressed her fingertips to her lips. “For totally overstepping.” She moved her hand to her forehead and tapped it a few times. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” Her gaze was apologetic when she glanced back over at me.
The light in front of us turned from red to green, so she refocused her attention on the road and pressed on the gas.
“It’s okay,” I said, not wanting her to feel bad for speaking up. “I think you’re reading more into what he said than he meant.” I folded my arms across my chest and stared out the window.
When Shelby didn’t answer me right away, I glanced over at her. Her focus was straight ahead. She must have sensed my attention because she turned to look at me before offering me a smile. “If you think so, then I retract my words. You were there and I wasn’t.”
I studied her for a moment before I looked out the windshield. “I mean, I’m not saying that Asher doesn’t love me—he does. He loves me like I love him. We’re best friends.” With each word I spoke, my heart began to pick up speed. It was racing by the time I pinched my lips shut in an effort to stop myself from speaking.
I feared if I said anything more, I might say something that I couldn’t take back. What Asher said to me didn’t matter anymore. He’d made it clear that he was moving on. Emotionally. Physically. Hell, he was getting married in a week.Wewere over.
He had moved on from what he’d said to me outside of my apartment. And it would be in my best interest to let him go. It was unproductive for me to sit here, dissecting his words and speculating on their meaning. He moved on. It would be best if I did the same.
“Are you excited to plan the wedding?” I asked, praying that Shelby would move on, too.
Her lips tipped up into a smile and a soft expression fell over her face. “So excited.” She glanced over at me. “I didn’t think I would miss planning weddings after I got fired. But now I realize that it has always been my passion, and I let someone steal it from me.”
Her words stirred something inside of me. I could relate to how she felt. Editors, reporters, and newspaper owners had a way of sucking the joy out of journalism. My passion had become my prison, and it was comforting to see that someone who had once been in a similar situation had come out the other side.
It made me feel hopeful.
We spent the rest of the drive talking about her favorite wedding from her time in New York. We laughed, and I watched as a spark I’d never seen in her eyes grew brighter. It reminded me of my own spark and made my heart ache to feel it again.
She pulled into an empty parking spot behind Sweet Beginnings Bakery and turned off the engine. I pulled on the door release, and Shelby did the same. She waited for me to shut my door and hurry around the trunk of her car before she started walking around the bakery to the front.
I would recognize Asher’s truck anywhere. It was parked a few spots down. I couldn’t help but study it as we walked past. So many memories were associated with his vehicle. We’d watch late-night movies in the bed of his truck or lay on a blanket and watch shooting stars. One year, we drove down to Mexico to see an eclipse and had to share a motel room, because neither of us had enough money to pay for our own.
So much of my past included Asher. It was strange to think that he wasn’t going to be a part of my future…at least, not as a main character.
And that thought hurt. More than I wanted to admit.
I stayed silent as I walked next to Shelby on my way to watch Asher be all cute and lovey with his fiancée. Which he should be. Heshouldbe lovey-dovey with Coralie. She was going to be his wife.
Why did I hate that thought so much?Ugh.I was a mess.
I followed behind Shelby as we walked up the front steps to the bakery. I studied the rocking chairs that dotted the porch as I waited for Shelby to open the front door. I could hear Asher’s voice as soon as the door opened. It was so familiar that I could pick it out even in a room full of people. My smile instantly emerged.
I’d missed that man these last few weeks. I’d missed him so much.
“Hey,” Shelby said as she stepped into the bakery and then moved to the side so I could join her.
The smell of vanilla and sugar surround me as I entered and let the door shut behind me. I’d never been to this bakery before, but one quick look around and I knew this was going to be one of my new favorite spots. It was so small and quaint, and there was a perfect ocean view from the front window. The floor was tiled with a white-and-black checkered pattern, and two of the four walls were lined with glass cases that held all kinds of baked goods from sourdough bread to overly frosted cupcakes.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Coralie squealed as she crossed the space between us and pulled Shelby into a hug. Shelby tensed, but if Coralie noticed, she didn’t let her go. “Mom was so excited when she heard that I was getting a Patricia-prodigy to plan my wedding.” Coralie held onto Shelby as she pulled back and smiled at her.
“I’m so honored,” Shelby said, glancing over at me and then back to Coralie.
Coralie finally noticed me. Her gaze snapped to mine, and her smile grew even larger—almost too large.
“Hey, Ella,” she said as she headed toward me. Before I could stop her, she was pulling me into a hug. “I’m so glad you could join us.” She pulled back and met my gaze. Her focus felt more intense than I’d anticipated. After all, we’d just met last night.
Not wanting to spiral into even more confusing thoughts about Asher and his fiancée, I just nodded and chalked up her reaction to pre-wedding excitement. This had to be a lot.
“I’m happy to be here,” I said, returning her smile with a softer one before my gaze slowly drifted over to Asher.
