“Do you need to go?” Bryony asked.

“No, no.” Bailey could wait a bit longer. “So, now you know the bizarre reason for my beach question, a kind of preemptive strike at the possibility of another nutcase like Leslie.” He winced. “Oh, that sounded terrible.” He put his hands over hers. “I promise you, you don’t strike me as someone who would turn out like Leslie.”

Bryony smiled. “I understand.” She didn’t move her hands, which Cal took as a sign that they were past this latest glitch. “I guess I should explain my strong reaction.”

“I’d like to hear.” He smiled encouragement.

“The guy,” Bryony said.

“The guy who dumped you at the beach.”

“Yeah.” She laughed. “It sounds kind of pathetic now, but we were together for a long time, and then he left me for a young gorgeous snorkeling instructor—who, by the way, bore a strong resemblance to the waitress last night, at least in low lights—while we were on vacation in Florida.”

“No!” Cal said, overstating his disgust, making her laugh, mentally noting again the need to address Marabelle’s behavior.

“Yes!” she said. “He did.” She withdrew her hands to comb stray hairs from her face. “And the thing is, now I’m glad he did because he’d talked me out of baking. He said I was making him gain weight.”

“How could he blame you for that?” Cal asked. “Were you force feeding him while he slept?”

“No.” Bryony laughed again. “But seriously”—she sobered her face—“he reminded me a lot of my dad and Mitch. I guess I’m used to the men in my life telling me to stop doing what I love.”

“Wow,” Cal said. “Talk about family dynamics.”

“Cal.” Bryony looked directly into his eyes. “Only teachers and counselors talk about family dynamics.”

“And yet we are all affected.” Cal wanted to reach out again, but moved his hands to his thighs, forcing them to stay put by drumming his fingers.

“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about Mitch,” she said. “He’s a good man, but I feel like I don’t exist when I’m around him. Like there’s only enough air for him. Like I’m suffocating.”

“Don’t let him smother you, Bryony. There’s room for both of you in the world.”

She sighed. “He’ll try to discourage me if I decide to do something daring, like start a pie business. He’s so negative about me taking risks, doing what makes me happy.”

“Being negative about pies is like being negative about puppies,” Cal said. “You should never listen to people who aren’t mad for puppies and pies.” His hands started to rise, but he pushed them down again. “Listen, don’t let Mitch or anybody else smash your dreams. Let the world hear from you, Bryony. You’ll never know where the pies will take you until you bring them to fruition.”

Bryony shook her head. “Worst pun ever, Mister Forster.”

“I am so happy you noticed. Your ability to catch on quickly encourages me to continue to ask you out. So, what do you say? Try again?” he asked.

“I’d like to,” Bryony answered.

Lillian appeared at the side of the table, sliding Cal’s credit card in front of him. “You two okay now?”

“Yes, Lillian,” Bryony said.

“Thanks,” Cal said as he palmed the card.

“My pleasure,” Lillian said before walking away.

Cal knew she was not talking about the card.

When he reached his car, his phone rang, and he checked caller ID before answering. Charity’s friend, Susie. He should answer, at least to apologize for not responding to her last three voicemails. But what would he say? Sorry, Susie. Starting a new relationship, and it’s been a little rocky. Don’t have the bandwidth to add your charming presence to the mix? He’d think of something more proper later.

Right now, he wanted to bask in the warmth of Bryony’s willingness to keep going, even when she was confused and unsure.

His own family dynamics notwithstanding, he had to admit his sister had been right when she said it would happen to him someday. And though he might not tell her any time soon, he had to acknowledge, at least to himself, he was smitten.

BRYONY’S PAST IS NOT HER FUTURE

Ending a brief phone chat with Cal, Bryony smiled and went back to work cleaning the service counter.

She was in love like never before, and she knew it.

Since their mutual confessions about past failed relationships, Bryony now thought of her life in terms of BC and AC, Before Cal and After Cal. Before Cal, she had more time to herself. After Cal, she had more fun, even when she was alone. Before Cal, she had worried about Mitch’s worries. After Cal, she rarely had time to worry.

Between dates, dog-walking, and phone calls three or four times a day, joy filled her life, maybe for the first time ever. He had asked if she would accompany him to Cleveland for a Halloween party with his family. She declined, of course. They had only been seeing each other officially for a few weeks. But she wondered if she should have accepted the invitation.

Having Cal in her life felt more natural than breathing. With one foot in reviewing their most recent interaction, the other in the BeanHereNow moment, any urge to wonder, Is it real? Can it last? fluttered away, no match for the swirling upward trend of energy Cal brought to her life.

Without telling anyone about Charity’s offer, not even Lillian, Bryony had declined. That phone call had garnered more self empowerment than any of the self-help books or videos Bryony had devoured during the transition to her new, improved life.

Another customer approached the counter and said, in an artificially deep voice, “Bryony Green! I haven’t seen you in years.”

The woman’s face appeared as if she had just come from makeup for the next scene in her starring role. Bryony looked beyond the age-defying foundation, concealer, blush, eye liner, mascara, and bold red lipstick. “Susie?” Surely there were some well-hidden scars. Nobody her age could look that young.

“You didn’t recognize me right away, did you? I’m thrilled.” Susie leaned forward and whispered behind her hand. “I put a lot of my ex’s money into this face.”

“Susie Quatman.” Bryony breathed out slowly. “It’s been a few years. What would you like?”

Lacquered fingernails tapping the counter, Susie deliberated while Charity Henderson stepped through the door and walked to the counter.

“Hi, Bryony. I’d like a chai tea.”

Bryony nodded and moved to fill a mug.

Susie had been Charity’s number one henchwoman in high school, putting into play any number of ploys designed to degrade the less popular students. Bryony had been on the receiving end more than once.

“Five dollars, please,” Bryony said.

Charity started to open her purse, but Susie interrupted with a throaty command. “Let me pay!”

Mr. Parker looked up from his crossword puzzle, seemed to assess the situation, and returned his eyes to the paper beneath his pencil.

While Susie ordered her drink, Etta arrived for the day. She sat down at her usual table, pulled out her laptop, and opened it.

Having completed her order, Susie swung away from the counter and called over to Etta. “Excuse me. We were going to sit there.”