“Holy mother of god,” he mumbled.
I tried not to laugh, especially when I looked at Abby and saw her returning his stare with one of her own.
She slid the plate and mug in front of Michael, their gazes never wavering. “I think I’m made for you,” she announced.
He gaped at her, and I snickered. Abby blushed and stammered.
“I mean, I made these. The buns. I brought them to you. Yeah.” She shot me a look. “Sunny asked me to bring them to you. So, I did. Here they are.” Then she turned and bolted back into the kitchen.
Michael stared after her, then turned to me. “Who was that?”
I crossed my arms. “My assistant.”
He ran a hand over his face. “Shit.” He looked down at the cinnamon buns. “She made these?”
“She’s been in the kitchen with Sunny all morning, so I assume so.”
“Does she have a name?”
“No. I whistle, and she shows up.”
His head snapped up, his eyes glaring at me, and I smirked. “Of course she has a name. It’s Abby.”
“Abby,” he repeated. He lifted a bun and bit into it, chewing slowly. He closed his eyes with a low groan. “This is so good.”
I stood and went to get a refill. Sunny smiled at me as I bent over the counter.
“Did you catch that?” I asked quietly.
“I think someone is smitten. Two someones, actually. Abby keeps peeking out the door.”
I glanced behind me. Michael was eating, his gaze fixed on the kitchen door as if he were willing it to open and Abby to reappear.
“Is he ready for that?”
Sunny sighed. “It’s been almost two years, Linc. That’s a long time to be alone.”
“He has kids. I’m not sure how Abby would feel about that. And she is younger than him.”
She stepped closer. “Why don’t you butt out, Linc, and let them figure it out. Abby’s a grown-up girl.” She brushed a kiss to my mouth. “I love how protective you are, but honestly, leave it alone.”
She was right, although I couldn’t resist pushing Michael a little when I returned to the table.
He had eaten both buns and drained his coffee. “I should get some of these to take home to the kids,” he said. “They’d love them.”
“Good idea. Want me to ask Abby to box up some?”
“Ah, no. I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure? It’s not a problem.”
“I said I’d ask,” he growled. I chuckled, and he relaxed in his seat. “You’re being an ass, Linc.”
I sipped my coffee. “Yep.”
“What’s her story? Is she single?”
“Single? Yes. Complicated? Yes. The closest thing I’ll ever have to a sister? Yes.”
He studied me. “Gotcha.”
I held up my hands. “Just saying. She’s important to me.”
“Okay.”
Abby came out of the kitchen, her bravado back in place. She approached the table with a smile.
“How were the buns?”
“They’re my new favorite thing,” Michael said. “I could eat you, um, I mean them, every day.”
I choked on my coffee.
Jesus, these two were going to kill me.
Color stained Abby’s cheeks, and my eyebrows flew up. Abby never blushed.
“Oh…good. That’s good,” she mumbled, her eyes never leaving his face.
Silence hung as they stared at each other. With a groan, I stood. “Abby this is Michael. Michael, Abby.” I pushed Abby down into my chair. “Why don’t you two talk? I’ll go help Sunny.”
I paused at the door and looked behind me. They were still staring at each other, both of them looking as if they were the only two people in the room.
I shook my head as I entered the kitchen. Abby getting involved with a local hadn’t been in my plans. Then I laughed. Me working in a bakery on the long weekend while in Mission Cove after finding Sunny again hadn’t been in my plans either.
Yet, here I was. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.“Are you ready?” Sunny asked.
“It’s going to be fine.” I squeezed her shoulder. “I’m right here with you.”
“Okay.” Sunny’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and a few moments later, the screen filled with her sisters’ faces.
“Hey, girls.” She greeted them.
Hayley and Emily both started to talk, and I sat to the side, listening as they chatted, filling Sunny in on their news about school, their part-time jobs, boys they were dating and/or interested in—their lives in general.
I could see their faces from where I sat. They were both grown up—no longer the little girls who loved hugs and treats. As I listened to their voices and heard their laughter, they were still in the echoes of my memories that lingered. I hoped once they heard Sunny’s news, they recalled some good memories of me.
There was a lull in the conversation, after they asked if Sunny was ready for the busy weekend coming up.
“Yes,” she replied. “I, ah, have some extra help.” Her gaze drifted my way. “And some news.”
Hayley came closer to the screen. “Sunny, are you seeing someone?”