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I stare at her and alue when I stand up and shness?”

Aspen’s sels, Annie I ran out down at Sips”

“Just call if you needsome down”

“You’re the best,” Aspen says as she hurries out “Nice to meet you, Remi!”

When the door closes behind her, I turn to Annie, who’s laughing into her hand

“You could have warned me!”

“Aspen owns Drips & Sips, the café down the block And, yes, she’s a princess The royal family all lives here part-time They’re casual about it and don’t expect anyone to bow or curtsy”

“I don’t even kno to curtsy,” I h the door “GoodOr, afternoon now, I suppose”

“Hi there,” the brunette says, and then I realize that I know her already

“Hi, Jillian”

Zack’s wife

I can hear Annie laughing in the kitchen She ht

“This is Cara and Lauren We thought it would be fun to stop by for a little snack”

“It’s nice towere a,” I tell Jillian “Thank you so much”

“Oh, he did bring thelad And you’re welcome”

“You’re beautiful,” Lauren says “Jillian didn’t exaggerate”

I feel my cheeks heat “Thank you”

“It’s probably a little over-the-top to come by,” Cara adds “But when Seth told us you’d be here today, anted to come say hello and wish you well”

“Thank you,” I say again and soften a little Annie sets some treats on the counter

“Annie knoe like,” Jillian explains “And don’t worry, you’ll learn I hope you have a great day”

“You, too,” I reply and turn to stare at Annie after the three women choose a table near the back to enjoy their snacks “They literally all came in to check me out”

“Not all of the with humor “It’s sweet They mean well”

“They’re very nice,” I concede

The afternoon slon a bit Just before we close, a bunch of kids file through after school to buy up the rest of the baked goods

When we finally lock the door, I turn to Annie and sigh “How did you do this by yourself?”