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?”
Sunny reached for my hand, and I gripped it hard for encouragement. “Yes, I am.”
“Tell us!” Emily demanded.
Sunny’s cheeks turned a soft pink. “He’s special. Very special.”
“Oh my God, it’s serious,” Hayley said.
“Yes, it is. He’s here, in fact, and wants to say hello.” Sunny paused. “You met him before.”
“Really? Who is it?”
“Linc.”
Silence filled the room. Then Emily spoke. “Linc? As in Linc Franklin? The boy who broke your heart?”
Sunny swallowed. “It’s Linc Webber now. There are things about that time you don’t know.”
I loved hearing her say my name and the way she defended me. It made me want to kiss her.
“Sunny,” Emily hissed. “Are you sure about this? He almost destroyed you.”
I stepped in behind Sunny. “It almost destroyed me too.”
They looked shocked, both of them silent.
I pulled my chair beside Sunny and sat down, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. “It’s a long story. I didn’t leave her. I was taken away from your sister—from my life here. I searched for her when I came back—all of you—but you were gone. Then, by accident, I found her again.” I tightened my hand on her shoulder. “I’m not leaving her again—ever.”
Emily leaned forward. “Sunny—”
Sunny cut her off. “I know what I’m doing, Emily.” Then she smiled, her voice softening. “I’m happy. Really happy.”
Hayley tilted her head. “You look happy.”
“We both are,” I stated. “I will do whatever it takes to keep your sister. To earn your trust again. I’ve been half alive without her.”
Emily sniffled. “We missed you.”
I smiled. “I missed you too, kiddo. We have a lot to catch up on, but I think you girls need to talk. So, I’ll leave you to it. Sunny can give you my cell number, and I’ll answer any questions you have.”
“Don’t hurt her,” Hayley demanded. “Don’t do that again, Linc.”
“I won’t,” I swore. I stood and kissed the top of Sunny’s head. “You know where I am.”
I walked into the bedroom, the girls’ voices following me.
“Is he staying with you?”
“Tell us everything, Sunny!”
“God, he got handsome. Is he that good-looking in person?”
I shut the door to give them privacy, but I did hear Sunny’s reply to the last question.
“Even better. And he’s so amazing, girls. You have no idea.”
I hoped they would accept my presence in Sunny’s life. I knew I had to work and earn their trust, but I would do it. I would take care of them as well as Sunny.
I knew their forgiveness would take time, but I would be patient.
I would do anything for Sunny.
An hour later, Sunny appeared, her eyes red-rimmed but peaceful. I held out my arms, and she lay beside me, her head on my chest. I had heard parts of the conversation through the door, at times serious, at times more lighthearted with sisterly teasing and jibes. She had assured them she was fine and explained in brief detail what had happened. The girls had a lot of questions she answered, then they moved on to how we found each other and what the future looked like for us.
“You defended me.” I kissed the top of her head.
“Of course.”
“Did they come around at all?”
“Yes. You can expect a lot of texts and calls, though.”
“No problem.” I paused. “I can fly them here to see us anytime you want.”
“Maybe later in the summer. They usually come for a visit. Emily likes working in the bakery. She and Abby would get on well.”
“All right. Whatever you think is best. I can fly us there as well for a weekend. Just say the word.”
She traced her fingers on my shirt. “Maybe.” She snuggled closer. “Right now, I kinda don’t want to share. I like having you to myself.”
I tucked her tighter into my side. I felt much the same way.
“I’m good with that.”
That weekend, Sunny sidled up next to me at the counter. “You know,” she murmured with a teasing grin, “if this whole millionaire thing doesn’t work out for you, you could become a barista.”
I chuckled as I slid another cappuccino toward her. I had been replaced as sample passer because I was eating as many as I was giving away, and that was frowned on. No one had outlined the rules, so I didn’t feel it was fair, but my protests fell on deaf ears. Now, some kid had the best job in the whole place, and I was moved. I found out quickly I sucked in the kitchen, dropped too many things to be of any help serving people, and my cash register skills were lacking, but I caught onto the whole coffee thing well. Luckily, Sunny’s shop only offered coffee, simple lattes, and cappuccinos. Or a shot of espresso. Not fancy drinks. Otherwise I would be lost.