“Well, thank God you aren’t dead. What the fuck? I called you a million times yesterday.” He stretches his back by twisting from left to right. “I believe I told you that I wanted details.”

I bend down and reach for my toes and he does the same. “I’m sorry. I needed to mentally check out yesterday. The wedding was a bit much.” Understatement of the century. Stretching my hamstrings, I stand up and press my hand against the window of the bakery to steady myself.

“And are you going to just stand there and not tell me what the fuck that means?”

“I’m sure you already know everything, you gossip queen. Hasn’t Juls spilled the big surprise?”

We start jogging down the sidewalk together, our feet hitting the pavement at the same time. It’s already hot as hell outside and that just ups my annoyance level.

“What big surprise? Juls spent the rest of the reception sucking Ian’s face and God knows what else and I ate my weight in cake after I saw Billy flirting with a waiter.”

“Oh shit. I’m sorry, Joey. That really sucks.”

“Whatever. He ended up driving me home and I did him in the back of his Denali as punishment.”

I push his arm but he doesn’t budge. The man is a mountain of muscle. “Jesus. Well I guess you showed him.”

“Oh I did. Now, what surprise?” We make our usual trek down Fayette Street on the deserted sidewalk, Joey initiating the pace as he always does.

“Reese is married.” God it still sucked today saying it out loud. And why did my heart physically ache at the sound of it. I couldn’t be that affected by a wedding hook up, no matter how good the sex was. I stop running and look back at Joey who is frozen on the pavement, his blond curls already sticking to his forehead with sweat.

“He’s what?” He starts up again, momentarily stunned and I move with him.

“You heard me. Fucking married. Of course, he didn’t mention this before, during, or after our hot as hell sex in the men’s bathroom. He just simply asked me ‘what the fuck was that’ after he came, told me he was sorry, and went on about his business.” I push my legs faster as we run up a small hill, feeling the burn in my thighs.

“What a dick. Are you sure though? I mean, I didn’t see a ring and you know I hunt that out first thing.”

“Yea, so do I. Apparently, Ian told Juls that he was married. He probably didn’t wear his ring so he could fuck me blind. Oh and I almost forgot, to top the night off, Justin followed me outside and alluded to me fucking him since married men are my thing now.” Asshole.

Joey snaps his head towards me, eyes wide. “Are you fucking serious right now? Where the fuck was I when all this was happening? Oh that’s right, I was eating my God damned feelings.” He picks up his pace as I struggle behind him.

“Slow down! Your legs are miles longer than mine.”

“Crap, sorry.” He returns to my side. “I’m sorry about Reese cupcake. I really am. But---”

“Don’t fucking say it, Joey.” I knew exactly what his next words would be.

“I’m just saying---”

“Shut it, Holt,” I spat as he spins around to face me, effortlessly running backwards.

“You could be the sexy mistress. If the sex was that good, why give it up?” Now I started sprinting and hear a squeal from him as he catches up within seconds.

“Are you mental? I am not going to be his fuck buddy on the side. I don’t care how amazing the sex was or how hard he made me come. Fuck that shit.” I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, the sweat already starting to build on my skin.

“Ooohhh how hard did he make you come? Was he huge? Please tell me it didn’t have some weird hook to it like Billy’s did.” He shakes his head quickly. “I’m not quite sure how I feel about that yet.”

“Jesus Christ. It is way too early to talk about dick sizes and which way they curve.” I pause. “But for the record, he’s massive and as straight as you pretended to be in high school.”

“I fucking knew it. You lucky bitch.”

We ran in silence the rest of the way around the neighborhood, the only noises coming from us being our breathing and the sound of our shoes striking the pavement. I ran fast and hard, desperately trying to push the memory of Reese and our hook up out of my mind and hoping to run away from it. But that wasn’t going to happen, at least not today. And it wasn’t happening for my running partner either. I could almost hear Joey’s mind working as we ran, most likely coming up with all the possible secret rendezvous scenarios between Reese and myself. Needless to say, the five mile trek today was both mentally and physically exhausting.

I showered and dressed for the day after saying goodbye to Joey so he could do the same. He only lived a few blocks from the bakery and would be back before we opened at 7:00a.m. He was my only employee at the moment, seeing as I hadn’t gotten around to hiring anybody to replace Tiffany after I fired her. I wasn’t entirely sure I needed anybody else to work for me, Joey and I seemed to manage just fine on our own. I grew up with him, going to high school together and then to college where we both studied business. He was more than supportive when I dreamed of opening my own bakery and insisted on becoming my assistant so that we could stay close. Although, deep down I think he just wanted to sample all my new creations. Thank God for our daily runs, otherwise I’m certain we would both be as big as a house.

I tie my favorite apron on and begin pulling the pastries, muffins, cupcakes, and cookies from the back racks and bringing them up front to the display cases. The house specialty is my banana nut muffins that I spent five years perfecting the recipe on. They are insanely delicious and it’s a struggle not to eat every one myself straight out of the oven. I sold out of them every day by noon and nothing made me prouder. At a few minutes before opening, Joey comes hustling through the door carrying two coffees and his award winning smile.

“I’m dick talked out so don’t even,” I say as I open the register and count the money.

“Cupcake, there’s no such thing, trust me. I had them put in an extra shot of espresso for you this morning, figured you might need it,” he says, walking around the counter. “Although, perhaps you’d prefer hard liquor with your coffee today?” He hands me my piping hot cup and I smile weakly. He is handsomely dressed in dark jeans and a bright blue polo shirt that brings out the color in his eyes.

“Thanks and yes, liquor would be my preferred beverage this morning, but I don’t think the sight of me stumbling around the shop wasted off my ass would be good for business.” I take a sip and let the hot liquid run down my throat, instantly perking me up as the front door swings open. “Good morning. And how are my favorite regulars today?”

Mr. and Mrs. Crisp live around the corner and come into the stop roughly every morning for two of my banana muffins. They are beyond adorable and always start my day off with a smile when I see them. “Well, besides the fact that this one kept me up all night snoring, we are just fine, Dylan.” Mrs. Crisp motions towards her husband who smiles sweetly at her.

“You love it, dear. I’m sure you told me once that my snoring helps you sleep.” Mr. Crisp lovingly rubs his wife’s back as she bats him away playfully.