I am pulled from my quiet moment when the bell above the door rings. I push myself up out of the chair to greet my first customer of the day to find Lyndsey here even earlier than yesterday. Through the big front windows I see Aiden Anders in his car waiting for Lyndsey to come inside.

“Well, good morning.” I welcome her and I smile waving at Aiden through the windows. When Lyndsey sees she has been caught she drops her head back, dropping her handbag onto the floor.

“It’s not what it looks like,” she whines.

“That’s what they all say.” I laugh walking around the counter to meet her. She doesn’t look ruffled, but it wouldn’t be the first time someone has dropped her off after a wild night together. Mostly women, but sometimes men. Lyndsey wears her sexuality on her sleeve, and I have always respected that.

“No! Seriously we just bumped into each other at the coffee place that has those delicious cinnamon buns and I wanted to get some for us and he offered me a ride to work, that’s all.” She rambles, picking up her stuff and putting the paper bag on the desk like it’s proof of her story.

“He seems like a good guy?” I shrug, pulling her closer so she is standing right in front of me. I’m willing to entertain this slightly concerning conversation a little longer if it means Lyndsey won’t interject and ask about Liam. I’m not ready to admit to what we did, and I’m equally not ready to lie. She is always asking if anything has happened between us. Usually there is nothing to tell her; I am planning on pretending the same this time.

“I agree, a good guy who gave me a lift to work. Nothing more.” She slices her hand through the air between us wanting to move on from this but I have one last thing I want to say before we start working.

“I don’t believe you.” She tries to interrupt but I talk over her. “But if there is something going on I’ll let you keep it to yourself for now.”

“Subject change. Cinnamon buns!” She cheers, ripping the bag open between us but the sweet smell of cinnamon and icing that would usually make my stomach rumble makes bile rise up in my throat. I try breathing through my mouth so I can’t smell it, but I can taste the sweetness in the air. I cover my mouth with my hand.

“Please put them away,” I mumble behind my hand. Lyndsey’s eyes widen before she covers the warm gooey buns quickly.

“Are you okay?” she asks cocking her brows at me, shocked by my outburst.