LONG LOST by Brent Cora

Author:Brent, Cora
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-09T00:00:00+00:00

Caris

Jay hasn’t said a word to me about the Alden disaster even though we’ve been working side by side at the bakery since six o’clock this morning. Of course, Shane was there too plus there was a ton of work to do between all the baking and dealing with customers so an ideal time to discuss psycho ex semi-boyfriends never came up.

Lana told me last night that Shane would understand if I wanted to take the day off. I did not want to take the day off. Sitting home alone and stewing about the malevolent look in Alden’s eyes wouldn’t do me a bit of good.

Surprisingly, I slept well. Lana and Shane stayed in her bedroom so I wouldn’t feel alone and that was nice of them but it was really the idea of Jay being close by on the other side of the house that made me rest more peacefully.

Today, however, Jay is back to being his tight-lipped self. He grunts out a one word answer when I ask him a question and is all business throughout the morning rush.

“Need another batch of chocolate chip cookies,” I call back to the kitchen when I notice there is only one left in the bin.

He looks up from the prep counter, delivers a curt nod, and says nothing.

Every now and then I get a little embarrassed when I remember that not only did he need to hurl Alden into a wall but he also saw me naked and shaking and crying.

When there’s only an hour left until closing Shane says he needs to run out for a few minutes. I remind him that he still ought to look over the invoices and make sure they’re right before I pay them and he bobs his head but I have a prediction that I’ll be reminding him again tomorrow.

“You doing okay, Caris?” Shane asks me before leaving.

I smile. “Did Lana tell you to ask me that?”

She’s already called twice today to check up on me. It’s sweet and I feel loved.

“She did.” His grin is slightly sheepish.

“I’m fine. Thanks Shane.”

The bakery is currently empty of customers and once Shane closes the door the silence is overpowering. Jay is presumably still back there in the kitchen. He must work very quietly.

I don’t want to harass him if he prefers to keep his distance so I start straightening up a few things on the counter. I’m refilling the napkin dispenser when the door opens and I look up to greet the arriving customer.

“Hey.”

He’s looking sorrowful and exhausted as he stands there with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his khaki shorts. He stays by the door and hesitates to take another step.

My hands crush the pile of napkins. “Alden, what the hell do you want?”

Something crashes in the kitchen. A split second later the door separating the kitchen from the rest of the bakery swings open and Jay thunders into the room.

He makes a beeline for Alden and growls, “I’ll give you a three second head start, fucker, and then all bets are off.

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