Page 252 of A Taste of Vanilla

My phone buzzes again, and I flinch.

It’s another email from the lawyer looking over my lease.

I haven’t called her yet. Calling her would make the lease problem very real in a way I don’t want to deal with at the moment.

Halston, Warren forwarded my contact information and clarified that further communication should come from you directly. I’m available tonight if helpful.

Helpful.

I press my palms to the counter and stare at the email until the words blur.

Marley is in Oliver’s office on the phone with someone from Harbor Vending. When I left them, Oliver had been at the bar cleaning up from last night.

Dev is wiping down tables, trying not to look at me.

Everyone is doing something.

But it’s when I get the last email that I lose it.

“Halston, please prepare for a building assessment next week,” my property manager says. Toward the end, it adds, “Please be aware that there could be potential operational disruptions.”

I look around at the place I built. The place I call mine.

I set my phone down and untie my apron.

Dev sees me. “You okay?”

“I need air.”

His eyes widen. “Like outside? In this?”

“Yes.”

He looks outside before glancing back at me, confused. “That’s concerning.”

I grab my keys from the back.

“Do you want me to get Marley?” he asks quickly.

“No.” The word comes out fast and sharp.

He stops, his face softening so fast that it makes me feel even worse. Dev is ridiculous and dramatic, but he’s not stupid. None of them are.

It can be a terrible thing, being loved by observant people.

“I’m just going to drive around for a minute,” I assure him.

His mouth twists. “Mmm, okay, I guess.”

“I’ll be back.”

I can tell he doesn’t believe me. But neither would I.

I leave before he can say anything else.

The rain hits me the second I step outside, soaking through my cardigan before I even make it to my car.

By the time I slide behind the wheel, my hair is soaked and my sleeves are clinging to my wrists.