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End of call My heart gave three thumps of sadness over the books before horror ofback in

Oh ers through my hair

Well, shit I stood in the hts rolled over s all weekend at how sad it was that I was there alone afterroom’ for Berk I couldn’t take that on top of the whole Chet situation Noas not the time to hyperventilate

I shuffled off the street, closed ht to the kitchen I flipped throughto be a long night ahead

And in two days, I’d be driven an hour outside the city to a place with no wifi and sharing a rooar froh flour to feed half the caet to survive this co weekend

5

Jules

I sat in the pastel bluetrays, recipe cards, and bakery boxes My leg bounced up and down An employee had led me to the back office and said Avery would be here at any moment I looked around the roo up on the walls A picture of Avery with a big guy who had to be her husband sat on her desk She was in a beautiful and simple white dress and he was in a summer suit and tie

The place sering

I’d walked by all the displays Donuts, croissants, cupcakes, and a few cookies on trays in the back

The office door flew open “So sorry I’m late I’m—”

“Avery Cunning, I know” I jumped up and shook her outstretched hand ay too much force

She was jerked forward and braced her hand on her desk

I cringed and let go, sitting back in the chair, balancing the folder with my resume on my lap Her hair was up on top of her head and she slipped the well-loved apron off her neck and sat it down on the desk in front of her She had on jeans and t-shirt Simple and down to earth I felt a little overdressed in my pants and button-down top

“And you’re Elle’s friend with the killer skills”