I stood for a second longer than I should have, my thoughts still catching up with everything.
Mia watched me carefully from behind the counter.
I nodded, but it didn’t feel convincing
My hands tightened slightly around the edge of the counter.
“I need a minute,” I muttered, more to myself than to them.
Mia frowned slightly but didn’t push.
I walked into the back kitchen, closing the door behind me just enough to muffle the noise of the café.
Avery glanced up from what she was doing.
“He’s here, isn’t he?” she said quietly.
Avery sighed softly, as she already knew where my head was going.
“I know,” I cut in, then hesitated.
“And… Rosie asked about him this morning.”
Avery paused immediately.
Mia, who had followed me in, went still.
“She asked if I had a special someone,” I said, my voice lower now. “And then… she asked if he was her dad.”
Mia slowly leaned back against the counter. “Oh.”
Avery’s expression softened.
I exhaled sharply through my nose, rubbing my forehead.
“I didn’t know what to say to her,” I admitted. “I just— I wasn’t ready for that question.”
Mia glanced toward the door, then back at me.
“And now he’s out there,” she said quietly.
I sat there for a second, not moving, my head in my hands.
I didn’t know what to do.
My thoughts kept jumping straight to Rosie her little smile, the way she hugs me—every time I see Harry, that’s all I can think about.
I shook my head, pushed it away, and stood up quickly.
I walked over to the trays, stacking them a little too carefully before placing them into the dishwasher.
Avery was pulling croissants from the oven when Mia walked in.
Walking over to the sink I washed my hands then dried them on a dish towel
“Hey,” Mia said quietly, glancing at me.
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
The bakery felt too loud all of a sudden.
I stepped out of the back room, the door closed softly behind me.
Stopping behind the counter, my eyes searched the bakery until they landed on him sitting in the corner.
He looked up almost instantly.
I let out a slow breath, trying to steady myself before walking over.
Somehow seeing him again still felt just as overwhelming.
For a few seconds we just looked at each other. Until he spoke
“Thanks for coming out” He said quietly
“You asked for me.” I crossed my arms lightly, avoiding his eyes as I sat down.
Harry stayed standing for a second longer before sitting back down across from me.
Harry looked at me for a second too long, like he wanted to say something else entirely. “You, okay?” He tilted his head.
The answer came out too quickly.
And judging by the look on his face, he knew it too.
My brows knitted together, I felt my chest clench and I shifted uncomfortably
I took a deep breath and finally met his eyes, he was already waiting for me.
“She's at school” I sighed softly
“She asked about you this morning”
He looked confused, like he didn't think I would ever say that
“She asked if I’d ever had someone before.” I crossed my legs and lift my hand up to my lips nervously
“Then she asked if he was her dad.”
I looked up at him finally, trying to keep my expression neutral.
Harry leaned forward elbows on his knees, He ran a hand through his curls. They were longer now, falling over his forehead in a way that distracted me more than it should have.
“You don’t get to do that.” I lower my voice, so I don't cause a scene and took a deep breath in
“You don’t get to tell me what she deserves…” my eyes fell to the floor as I tried to contain myself
“I know, I don't get to tell you anything you did all of this by yourself.... And you did a great
My chest tightened painfully at his words.
I look away, my throat tightening, but after taking a deep breath I turned back to him.
“Harry… I just want to protect her.” My expression softened with guilt.
“She’s starting to ask questions, and I can’t keep it from her anymore.”
His expression changed slightly.
“I don’t know how to do this, Harry… but she deserves to know who you are.”
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