My Almost Ex (The Greene Family #2) - Piper Rayne Page 0,62

woods, but my fingers clench around it and I bring it down, releasing a scream that echoes through the forest. I release a breath and close my eyes. Time to channel this energy into something good. My parents have no idea what they’re talking about. But they sure know how to plant a seed of doubt because now I’m wondering—what if history repeats itself?

I shake my head. No. I know in my bones this is where I belong.

In the afternoon, I call an Uber to take me into downtown Sunrise Bay. Eventually I’ll have to get a car, because getting my SUV from my parents is probably not an option at this point. Not to mention, I want to start fresh. If Adam saw me drive away in that SUV, I don’t want him thinking about it every time he sees it.

The Uber drops me off in the town square and I set my eyes on The Grind. I’ve been meaning to come by and see Zoe since I remembered her last week. Adam had been drinking a coffee and her and her shop came back to me. I’m here to try some different coffees.

“Lucy!” she calls when I walk in, abandoning the customer she’s with and running around the counter to give me a big hug.

“Hey, Zoe,” I say, hugging her back.

How can my parents not love this town?

She draws back, her hands on my upper arms. “I should put you over my knee for waiting so long to come in.”

“Sorry. Believe it or not, I’ve been busy, and I don’t have a car, so I’m at the mercy of others.”

“Well, you’re here now. Let me get you your—”

“Wait,” I rush out before she says my usual order. I think Adam’s starting to think I’m crazy for testing all these new foods and drinks, but it gives me a sense of control I haven’t felt since my accident. “Can I try a few different things? I’m doing this thing where I try to figure out what I like now, not back before I lost my memory.”

She smiles and winks. “You got it. Have a seat and I’ll bring some out to you.”

I walk over to the counter, her employee helping the poor man Zoe left. “I’d rather talk to you while you make them, if you don’t mind.”

“Mind? Not at all.” She gets busy using machines I can’t imagine I’d ever figure out. “So what’s new?”

“Um… nothing.” I bite down my smile with the hopes that she doesn’t suspect anything.

“Don’t give me that. How’s Adam? Are you guys figuring things out?”

“Well, I’m figuring out that I was a tad selfish in our relationship.”

She frowns and sighs. “Who said that? Men are supposed to kiss the feet of their wives. Why do you think there’s that saying, ‘happy wife, happy life’?”

The fact she doesn’t refute my previous personality makes me think I’m right. I’d love to ask someone if people in this town thought I wasn’t deserving of Adam, but at this point, everyone’s coddling me.

“How are things here?” I look around at the almost full house and smile.

Zoe partnered with Adam’s mom to start The Grind back when Mrs. Greene first started her family, but now it’s just Zoe’s.

“Really good. I have a muffin lady.” She nods toward a case in the front. “Pick one. They’re so good.”

“A muffin lady?” I say, looking them over.

“Yep, one day she’s going to become famous and leave me.” She leans forward. “They are that delicious, I swear.” She goes back to making coffee. “But for now, I have a muffin lady.”

I giggle at her exuberant behavior. I never knew Adam’s mother well. I’d see her at school and things, and she was really friendly, always smiling. I have to think if she had a friend like Zoe, then she must’ve been just as fun-loving.

The phone rings and Zoe glances at her employee who’s still explaining the difference between espresso and coffee.

“Now go sit and relax. I’ll be right there.” Zoe walks over and answers the phone. “The Grind.”

I find a table in the back that looks across at Truth or Dare Brewery and The Story Shop. The big sign of Cade Greene’s public announcement to Presley Knight is still up between the two places. They make a cute couple. I’m glad Cade found the one for him.

I ignore a few people’s lingering looks. Some smile and carry on with their conversations. Others don’t. Checking to see how Zoe is doing with my