“Bran, can I ask you something?”
He took a bite of his turkey bacon and nodded.
“I pretty much laid it all out, I’ve nothing left to hide,” he replied.
“Your date with Carmen . . . what happened?”
Bran sighed and looked out the window.
“I psyched myself out. I’ve dated over the years, but no one that I could ever be serious about. But, Carmen. I knew as soon as I met her that she was someone special. I let it freak me out, worrying about what she’d think of me, and my past. When you see me now you see a successful man in a suit, but on the inside I’m still that boy struggling to find his place in the world. I didn’t know what to say to her, and she was obviously nervous herself. The whole night was a study in awkwardness.”
“Carmen’s the best, Bran, you’re right. She’s bright, funny, talks a mile a minute and likes to organize like you wouldn’t believe. But you know what? She was worried that you were too good for her.”
Bran blinked and shook his head, but before he could argue, I went on.
“You’re both amazing, sweet, wonderful, and beautiful people, inside and out. You have chemistry, you like each other, and you share the same fears. I think if you sat down and talked with her, not on a date, but just a one-on-one conversation, you could work past those worries and enjoy each other. I really do.”
“I don’t know,” Bran said, and I could see the doubt on his face, which made my heart lurch.
“Please, just give it one more try. I promise, it will be worth it, for both of you.”
Bran sighed and dipped his chin.
Yes.
I LEFT THE diner and was trying to figure out the best way to approach Carmen about giving Bran another shot, when I looked through the window of Amy May’s Bakery and saw her working behind the counter.
I swung my van into a parking spot on the street and jumped out.
I am done letting her stew, dammit. It’s time for Amy May to listen to reason.
I swung the door open and marched behind the counter. Amy May’s eyes hit me as soon as I entered, and tracked my movements warily.
“You,” I stated. “Office.”
I was about to charge back there without saying anything else, you know, to let her know I meant business, but the sight of fluffy white topping with chocolate in th
e case had me pausing and asking, “What’s that?”
“Cheesecake cupcake with chocolate drizzle,” Amy May replied, biting back a smile.
I glared at her and said, “Bring one of those with you,” then I stormed into the back and went to her office, not waiting for her to follow me.
A couple seconds later, Amy May came in to find me already sitting on the flower-patterned loveseat, my eyes locked on the delicious confection in her hands. She handed it to me silently, then went to sit behind her desk, probably to try and assume a position of power.
“You ready to talk?” I asked, my mouth salivating as the scent of chocolate and cream hit my nose.
Amy May sighed.
“I know I overreacted,” she began, tucking a blonde lock behind her ear. “I was shocked, angry, jealous, and finally, hurt, when I saw Bea and Carmen go into Cynthia’s Coffee and Books. I know I shouldn’t have stormed over there and made a scene. I’ve been so embarrassed, that I haven’t been able to reply to any of your texts, or Bea’s, or Carmen’s. I know I need to apologize, not just to them, but to Cynthia as well.”
“What got you so pissed?” I asked, finally giving in and taking a bite of the cupcake. “Holy Toledo!” I exclaimed. “This thing is amazing.”
“Thanks,” Amy May said with a small smile. “I thought you’d like it.”
“Cynthia’s is really no competition for you, you know that, right? Sure, she has a few selections, but nothing like what you’re doing here. And, you never have to worry about Bea or Carmen doing anything to jeopardize your friendship, or your livelihood.”
“I know. I’ve just been so stressed with the addition of the storefront, worrying about getting it open in time, and then whether or not it will take off. Plus, I’ve been working so much that I haven’t been eating right, and I’ve been making myself sick with all of it. I’ve been on the edge, and seeing them that day, I just snapped.”