He took a breath. I could tell this coffee shop was his passion, and I knew he was going to put his all into it. Theo followed us back and his eyes traced over everything we’d done.
“How is it?”
“Perfect,” he said, his voice low. “I can’t wait to make it mine.”
“How long will you need to open?” Wren asked. “I’ll need my coffee fix soon.”
“A few weeks.”
She would enjoy it. Theo had told Wren what he had planned for the shop, and I knew it would be different than the sister store he was working with, even though the sister shop was already incredible. He knew what he was doing, and I hoped Strawberry Springs treated him right.
“I’ll be here. And so will Mollie. She needs caffeine now that she’s gonna havea newborn.”
Wren talked so much about her life ever since she moved, and I knew it was a good thing. But I’d never seen her like this in all the years I’d worked with her. She was more confident and happier. It was all to do with Henry and the community she’d found here.
I was happy for her, and happy for her friend Mollie too. I hoped they didn’t get hurt like I had.
“Do you need anything else?” I asked Theo. “If not, I should head out.”
“No, I’m good. Excited to get to work.”
I nodded and left. I assumed Wren was saying her goodbyes as I headed to my truck. She then followed me.
“Hey, wait up.”
I paused and turned. “Yeah?”
“Do you wanna stay for dinner?” she asked. “Henry just texted and said he’s feeling up for the diner tonight. And I owe you for staying a little longer to perfect the drywall.”
“I shouldn’t,” I replied. “I need to get back.”
“Really? I bet you’d like the diner.”
“I seriously doubt that. And I bet everyone here is waiting for me to be gone.”
I knew the second I said it that I shouldn’t have.
“Was someone rude to you?” She crossed her arms. “Tell me and I’ll beat them up.”
No one had been rude, but I knew they didn’t like playboys here.
“Of course not,” I said with a laugh. “I’m just an outsider. Seriously, I just have a few things I need to get back to.”
“All right. Don’t be a stranger, though. I do like working with you.”
“Uh, yeah. You too.”
“I know that was hard for you considering how you hate being seen as liking someone.”
This was teetering on a topic I didn’t want to talk about. “It’s not about attachment. I just like to not be tied down.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you alone about it,” she said. “Have a safe drive home.”
I watched Wren walk away before my eyes turned to the Treasure Trove.
Was she inside? Would she want to see me?
I didn’t go back for more. I’d learned a long time ago it wasn’t good for me. We’d agreed to do it once and I was due to leave.