Through the window facing Main, he could see inside.

He could imagine Kelly working there. All the pink. It was her favorite color, and the stripes and polka dots were a weird combination but it worked. It looked like a fun place to bring your kids to pick out a treat. The window that faced the side street held a display of cakes. He went around the corner to get a better look.

A five-tier wedding cake in shimmery ice blue flaunting white details rose from the center of the display. Every single scroll and dot was precise, and it was frosted, not fondant. Not an easy cake to perfect, but this was just that…perfection. Next to it, a shiny Tiffany blue box with a glossy white ribbon looked so real you might expect to find a place setting of china from your wedding registry inside. On the other side, a superhero cake in primary colors had Spider-Man rappelling down one side of a tower and Superman soaring above. Clever.

He stared at the display, impressed by all she’d accomplished. I knew her when this was just a dream.

Suddenly, every light in the bakery illuminated and he was standing there in a stream of light, like he was on center stage. He hesitated one second too long. Before he could move, the door straight across from where he stood opened and Kelly walked through it.

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Andrew didn’t move a muscle, hoping to not draw attention. He stood there in front of her store window in that stream of light, wondering if he could make a run for it and not be noticed. Or maybe pretend to saunter by like it was a coincidence.

That seemed risky, but before he could decide what to do, he heard it…the spine-tingling scream.

He waved and tried to act like he was supposed to be there.

Kelly leaned in momentarily then pressed her hand to her heart and walked over to the door. She twisted the lock from the inside and stepped out onto the stoop between the tall, glossy white pillars.

“What are you doing here?” She clung to the edge of the door as if she might run back inside. “You scared me half to death!”

He pasted a smile on his face, determined to make the best of it. Being a goof was better than being a stalker! “I was trying to pass time. I’m a bit of an insomniac.”

“There’s nothing to do here after hours. Still,” she said.

“What are you doing here?” He took a couple of steps closer to her. “Is there a problem with the late shift?”

“No.” She seemed to relax a little, letting the door swing closed. “I’ve got managers who have that completely under control.”

“Are you an insomniac too?”