Better Than My Ex novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Bryson at the Counter

Levi parked across from Linden & Rye at a quarter past six and said he would stay in the car.

"I said I'd ask you first," he said. "May I come in?"

"Not yet. Let me do this one alone."

"I'll be here."

The sidewalk was dark and wet, and the bakery windows were lit gold from the inside.

Bryson stood in front of them with a flight bag at his feet.

He had the same dinner jacket on from the night before. His collar was open, and he hadn't shaved.

I walked past him and unlocked the door.

"Mara."

I went in and turned on the ovens.

Bridget came out of the back with flour to her elbows and a rolling pin in one hand.

"Do you want me to use this?"

"Not yet."

"Say the word."

"Mara, five minutes," Bryson said from the door. "You owe me that much."

"I owe you nothing. I got it back last night."

"I'm not asking you to take me back."

"Good."

He came in anyway, because it was a bakery and the door was open.

By seven a long line had formed for coffee.

Bryson stood in the middle of the floor and didn't move.

"They took my wings," he said, and his voice cracked in a way I had never heard.

The man at the front of the line pretended to read the menu.

"I have nowhere to go. Lydia changed her number. Her mother-in-law is changing the locks on the house."

"I know."

"I made a mistake, Mara."

"You made a plan."

"I made a bad plan. I was scared, I was in over my head, and you were the only person who ever made me feel steady."

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