own with trembling fingers, the words echoing in her mind: Take further action. What did that mean for

e touch. The morning rush was slowly starting to pick up, but Ava couldn't shake the unease that settled deep within her. She ha

ain, a touch of concern in her voice as she

dn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'm

riend's eyes. Claire knew her too well to be fooled by a simpl

into professional mode. A few hours passed in a blur of customers, baking, and

the small bench near the back of the bakery, her hands cradling a warm cup of coffee. The silence was

ling her coffee onto the napkin in her lap. She quickly wiped it u

ise, it was

't in his usual sharp suit, but instead wore a simple button-down shirt and dark jeans-st

just disappear on you again," Julian said, h

der the weight of his presence. She took a deep brea

out Ethan. I need to know if you're willing to even consider the possibility of me bein

ing about his father lately, how much it hurt her to see the longing

y. "I've spent the last five years raising him on my own, Julian.

ss. "I don't want to walk back into your life like it's nothing. I want to be there

n believe that. I've done everything alone for so long. And

-let me try. Let me prove that I'm not the man I was before. I don't want to be the gu

nd the quiet longing that had begun to creep into her heart. Julian had broken her once

I don't know if I can forgive yo

r your forgiveness, Ava. Not yet. But I'm asking for a chance. To be a

ng in her chest. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to let him in, to allow herself to imagine a future where they were

nt door opening interrupted them. Claire appea

?" Claire asked, her tone

he hadn't realized had fallen and

he room, her gaze flicking from Ava to Julian and back a

ent catching her off guard. She looked at Julian,

is, Claire," she said, her voice shaky.

ake any decisions right now. Just... don't shut him out co

in, and part of her feared what would happen if she let Julian back into their lives. But another part

bout it," Ava

l, hopeful smile. "Tha

wonder if she was about to make the biggest mistake of he