“Nothing to be sorry for. You just need to take it easy for a while. You’ve got some good friends out there, you know? They seem to be willing to do anything for you, even run your shop for a while.”
René smiled. “They’re the best. We’ve been there for each other through some interesting times. It creates a strong bond.” He coughed a little, then wiped his nose on a tissue. “So did you like Bryce’s pastries better than mine?”
I laughed. “Are you worried that my obsessive hero-worship of your baked goods will be transferred to another? Don’t be. His delicacies were wonderful, but they don’t have your touch. There’s something you do to everything you bake that makes each pastry special. I don’t know what it is. I love—”
I caught René staring at me.
“What?” I asked, realizing I’d been run
