It was such a shame. At any other point in Amelia’s life she would have been more than happy to return Wilder’s flirtations. She was a well-built, gorgeous butch whose slouchy jeans hung just the right way on her hips, and her sandy-blond hair and blue eyes would melt any girl’s heart. In fact, she was everything Byron was not.

Where Byron was dapper, precise in her dress and manner, Wilder was rumpled and looked as if she had pulled on whatever clothes were on the floor that morning, but somehow the look was perfectly endearing on her, and the black ink Celtic tattoos on her arms were very sexy.

Daisy had encouraged her to go out with her, even if it wasn’t anything serious, but after Byron she couldn’t imagine anyone else ever touching her again, and what’s more, she would never let anyone into her heart again.

“Business is always good. Everyone wants a wink and a smile from Wilder with their coffee.”

Amelia smiled for the first time in a while. “I bet they do.”

Wilder gave her another wink for that. “So, usual, darlin’?”

“Yes, please.” Amelia took out her purse and lifted two packets of sugar and a plastic spoon from the counter in front of her.

“So, when are you going to come for a drink with me?”

Every morning Wilder would ask her out. It had become a running joke, and each morning Amelia had to come up with an excuse, but today on the half anniversary of her heartbreak, she had to tell the truth.

“I’m sorry, Wilder. I don’t know if I’ll ever want to go on a date with anyone. I’m damaged goods.”

Wilder lost her bravado, and looked almost sad. She handed her the coffee and said, “I’m sorry to hear that. Whoever broke your heart must need their head tested.”

“Thank you for making me smile every morning, Wilder. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, darlin’. If you ever change your mind—”

Amelia stirred in her sugar and smiled. “I know where you are. Have a good day.”

“You too, darlin’.”

As she walked away, she wondered if she would ever be able to move on with her life. She was quite sure Byron had.

* * *

The bright Monaco sun shone through Byron Debrek’s bedroom windows, but it did nothing to heat her cold, empty heart. She had managed to stay away from her family estate in Monaco for most of the past six months. She didn’t want to revisit the place where she had broken the heart of the only woman she would ever love, but business had forced her back eventually.