Page 73 of Suddenly Yours

Not smug. Not charming.

Just raw-edged and angry. His eyes scanned the bakery like he expected it to be shuttered and dark. Like he’d wanted proof that he’d won.

No doubt he’d come in this morning hoping to swoop in and save Missy from her broken life. One that he had no doubt created.

My jaw locked.

Why hadn’t the police picked him up? He was in town, which meant he was suspect number one.

Levi took a step farther into the room, his hands clenched by his sides.

Missy stood behind the counter and when she noticed him, she froze in place. I could see it in her shoulders, the way she stilled without turning around.

I stood up slowly and walked over to Levi without him noticing me.

“Problem?” I asked calmly in a low tone.

Levi’s gaze snapped to me and his mouth twisted. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

Missy walked around the countertop slowly, her face unreadable. I was afraid she’d slap him or worse. Instead, she jutted her chin up and asked, “What do you want, Levi?”

He laughed, sharp and humorless. “I came here to give you one last chance.”

“I don’t need a last chance.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I think it’s time you moved on. I know I have.”

Levi’s eyes darkened as he glared at me.

“That’s right,” I said, taking a step closer to Missy. “I think it’s about time you left town for good.”

His eyes flicked between us, calculating. “So you’ve finally gone there.” he said quietly, a taunt. Then he turned to Missy. “You’ll pay for this.”

“You mean like what you did last night?” Missy’s eyes narrowed.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I jumped in. “As you can see, we’re not going anywhere.” I leaned in just enough that only he could hear me. “I think it’s time you went crawling back home.”

Something dark flashed across his face before he straightened. “You’d better be careful,” he said, voice loud again. “Places like this? Lawsuits are bound to happen.”

Missy moved then, coming to my side. Her hand slid into mine, steady and warm. “Get out,” she said calmly. “You’re not welcome here.”

For a moment, I thought he might push it.

Instead, he smirked. “We’ll see.”

Then he turned and walked out, the bell over the door jangling far too cheerfully behind him.

Silence followed.

I exhaled slowly and looked down at Missy. “Are you okay?”

She nodded once. “I am now. God, I can’t believe I dated that man.”

I smiled. “I did try and warn you about him.”

She playfully slapped my shoulder. I took her hand and pulled her close.

Cameras or no cameras, proof or no proof, it had been Levi last night. He’d crossed a line.