Chapter 22

He watched Melissa as she progressed to the bakery door. Passersby greeted her as she made her way down First Street.

Ethan stood when Melissa entered the bakery. He’d taken two steps toward her when the teenagers rushed past him.

They hugged Melissa. Melissa hugged them in turn. “Hi, Flo. Hi, Raven. How’s your mom?”

“She’s great,” said Flo, the younger one. “She and dad are having dinner at the Mill City Hotel tonight.”

“Fantastic,” Melissa replied. “Did AJ give them the works?”

“Yes!” squealed the older one. “They have a suite and everything.”

Flo hugged Melissa again. “Thanks for everything. Mom and dad are really enjoying their anniversary getaway.”

Raven groaned. “Flo and I need to get back to work. Mom will kill us if anything bad happens to her precious bakery.”

Flo took out her order pad. “What can we get you?”

“I’m meeting a friend,” Melissa replied.

“Sit wherever you like. We’ll take your order when your friend gets here,” Flo tucked the pad back into her apron.

Melissa smiled and looked at Ethan. “He’s already here.”

“You’re with him?” Flo exclaimed.

All eyes in the restaurant went from Melissa to Ethan. The sudden buzz of conversation was deafening.

Ethan almost wished for the stunned silence he’d encountered earlier.

Raven poked Flo in the side with her elbow. “Flo!”

“What?” Flo asked innocently.

Raven grabbed her younger sister’s arm and pulled her behind the counter.

Eventually, the hum of conversation died down. Nonetheless, Ethan...