Page 7 of Riptide
Two weeks.
Or lose everything to someone who'd turn her destruction into content.
She needed to get back out front. The bakery had been closed for twenty minutes. Someone might have noticed.
Cara stood on shaking legs and returned to find two customers waiting impatiently at the door.
"Sorry!" She unlocked it, forcing brightness. "Supply delivery ran long."
Another lie. They came so easily now.
The afternoon dragged. Every customer felt like a threat. Every phone buzz made her jump. Every glance out the windowshowed her Blaire's perfect smile, that empty threat disguised as friendship.
At three-thirty, Piper burst through the door with her usual energy, backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Sorry I'm late. Chemistry lab ran over and Mr. Patterson would NOT stop talking about ionic bonds." She set down her pack and grabbed an apron before glancing up at Cara. "Whoa. You look terrible. Are you okay?"
"Long day. Busy."
"I can see that." Piper surveyed the half-empty display cases, the dishes piled in the sink. "You've been slammed, haven't you? Why didn't you text me? I could've come in during lunch."
Because Cara had been too busy spiraling about blackmail and fugitive status and the complete destruction of her carefully constructed life.
"I managed."
"Barely." Piper started loading the dishwasher. "Seriously, Cara. You need to hire more help. Or at least let me work more hours. I can do mornings before school sometimes."
"You need to focus on your classes."
"I'm getting straight A's and you know it."
"I'm fine."
"That's what everyone says right before they completely fall apart." Piper finished loading dishes, turned to face her. "Look, I know we have the whole 'don't ask about pasts' thing. But if something's wrong?—"
"I'm fine," Cara repeated, sharper than intended.
Piper's expression shuttered. "Okay. Got it. None of my business."
Guilt twisted Cara's stomach. "Piper, I'm sorry. I didn't mean?—"
"It's cool." But her tone said it wasn't. "I'll just... clean tables."
She grabbed a rag and headed for the dining area, movements stiff.
Cara sagged against the counter. She was pushing everyone away. Even Gabe.
All to protect a secret that was going to destroy her anyway.
Her phone buzzed.
Not Blaire this time. The team chat.
Reagan:Meeting tonight? 7pm? We need to talk about structure.
Tom:Works for me.
Wade:I'll be there.
