“Girl, you practically have a sugar empire in the making. Maybe you should advertise your bakery on the human side of town. Have your friend, April, pass out the menus.”

Lexi pursed her lips. “I don’t discriminate against humans, but I’m afraid it’ll drive away the Breed customers, and they’re the ones who bring in the big money. I’ll keep it in mind, but for now I better focus on building clients in our own district since we’re still pretty new.”

“Agreed. If it’s one thing immortals have, it’s deep pockets. Never sell yourself short, and I still think you should make the cinnamon bread two dollars higher.” A quiet moment passed between us. “Honey, I miss having you as my neighbor.”

Lexi put her feet on the floor and leaned forward, her voice softening. “It’s not like I’m totally out of your life. We still hang out.”

I crossed my legs, noticing it was time for another pedicure. “Yes, but I miss the heavenly smell of your baking. Now all I smell coming from next door is boiled cabbage.”

Lexi wrinkled her nose. “Well, at least the downstairs neighbors moved. No more Pink Floyd music.” A nostalgic smile brightened her face. “I miss having you wander over at odd hours to play cards.”

After Lexi moved in with Austin, the apartments had become a dull place to live. I’d met her years ago in the Sweet Treats candy store, and we’d connected right away. I’d had an inkling she wasn’t human—sometimes you can just sense it up close. Plus, even though she hadn’t gone through the change yet, I’d noticed her habits were indicative of a wolf.

Lexi’s expression faltered. “Was my moving here a coincidence? That seemed pretty convenient after I broke up with Beckett.”

“Confession: I paid off my old neighbor so he’d move out. Then I threw a little money at the office manager to hold the vacancy. Honey, you were in the middle of a breakup with that cheating man, and I didn’t want to see you two kiss and make up. The sooner I could get you settled in a new place, the better your chances were of getting over him. No friend of mine will be a doormat for any man’s feet.”

Her brows arched thoughtfully, but her eyes were downcast. “I can’t believe I loved a man like Beckett. I would never have gone back to him, but how did I not see that coming?”

I scraped my fingernail on the fabric of the chair. “Because Beckett was a man obsessed. You know how human men behave differently around Shifter women. After a breakup, some of them can’t let go. They obsess over it until those feelings turn into rage. If I hadn’t been so distracted that evening, listening to music and cleaning…”

“It’s not your fault he tried to kill me,” she said firmly. “Austin blamed himself for years, and even though we’ve moved past it, I don’t think he’ll ever forgive himself for not getting up to my apartment sooner. If he hadn’t cared enough about me, then he wouldn’t have parked outside that night and I wouldn’t be sitting here. Sometimes one second is everything.”