Coffee Cup Confessions - Trish Williford Page 0,22

me alive. Bringing up my Contacts, I decide to call Mandy to get some damn answers because I’m going fucking insane.

“Hi,” she answers.

“Is everything okay with Misha?”

“Hello to you too …” She pauses for a long moment and sighs. “What did she do now?”

“She’s just … off. She’s not responding to my texts like usual. Did you tell her you hired me to take her out?”

“No, of course not,” she scoffs. “Jeez, do you think I’m stupid? Misha had a meltdown the other day because she found out her ex is dating again. That’s probably why she’s ghosting you. She’s still in love with him, and she won’t admit it. So, you don’t have to worry your handsome little head off. It’s not you she’s mad at.”

Although the amount of relief I feel is significant, I am definitely still worried about Misha. “Has anyone checked on her? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine. She goes through these crazy little breakdowns and then will be okay in a week or two. She’ll text you back if she’s interested, but it sounds like she’s still in love with her ex, so I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

Well, someone has an attitude. “Thanks for the info.”

“No problem. Wait, I thought you were with a client tonight?”

I glance around the dark room. “I am. She sent me away when she landed the governor’s attention. She hit her goal, so my job is done. I’m just babysitting now.”

“Whoa. Easy grand tonight for you.” She laughs.

“Easy but boring. Thanks again. I’d better check on my client.” I hang up the phone, feeling a little lighter; however, not convinced.

Misha was pretty adamant about being over her ex, so this doesn’t add up. I’ve already witnessed how Mandy tends to exaggerate, so it’s possible I’m not receiving the entire story.

Then again, Misha really could be upset that her ex is dating someone new. Maybe she didn’t realize she was still hung up on him until she found he’d moved on.

Either way, there is definitely something going on with her right now. If Misha is still hung up on her ex, then the best thing to do is be her friend and be there for her.

And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

11

Misha

After Noah and I broke up, I booked every moment of my day, so I wouldn’t have free time to let my mind wander and drift to him. Since I found out about Mandy and Noah two weeks ago, I’ve done the same—keeping busy to avoid any thoughts of them together. Wake up late, breakfast, longer than usual gym session, shower, bake until exhausted, small dinner, sleep, repeat.

In a sense, I’ve shut myself off from the world. I’ve barely talked to anyone, including Drew. He sends me the daily You still alive? text once he’s at work to check on me, but other than that, thankfully, he has been giving me space.

My sister hasn’t tried to apologize, not that I’m surprised. Noah, however, has sent a few texts asking if I’m okay. I give him one-worded responses as a courtesy, although I probably shouldn’t.

Damn it for being a nice person.

Jake, on the other hand … he’s been blowing up my phone. He’s sweet—and pretty freaking beautiful—but I have zero desire to be social, let alone with a man right now. I’ve responded sporadically to his texts but kept the responses very vague.

The plus side of ignoring the hurt my sister has caused is that I have extra cakes, pies, and cookies for today’s setup at the farmers market. The doors opened three hours ago, and I’ve had a steady stream of customers since.

I hand my current customer his change and a bag full of cookies. “Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy.” I plaster on my best fake smile.

“I definitely will. I’ll see you next weekend.”

As he walks away, I glance at the two customers waiting, one of whom is Jake.

“I can help who’s next,” I offer.

The older lady looks to Jake, but he holds his hand out to her. “Please, after you.”

The woman with snow-white hair steps up to the counter and points to the lovers’ layer cake. “Do you still have a full cake, dear?”

“Yes, ma’am, I sure do.”

“Wonderful! I need a full cake. I was so worried you would be sold out by the time I got here. Your cakes are just to die for.”

I put a box with the cake on the counter and smile at her kind words. “That’s so sweet. Thank you.