Hooking Him (How to Catch an Alpha #3)(33)

“They want her to sign their papers, take a photo, or both.” He shakes his head. “I don’t get it, but they all seem to think she’s famous. Especially after her ex talked to the media and said he loves her, has been giving her time to find herself, and that he’s waiting for her to come home so they can finish planning their wedding and start their life together.”

“She’s not marrying him,” I say with more force than necessary.

“I know that, big guy, but that’s what he’s saying, and the media is eating it up.”

Right, the fucking dick. The fact that he didn’t come here the moment she took off and drag her ass back home proves how big of an idiot he is.

“Hey, Calvin.” Chrissie gives me a tired smile as I follow Gaston around the back of the counter.

“You doin’ okay, babe?” Gaston asks her, stopping to kiss the side of her head.

“I’m fine.” She pats his cheek, then looks at me. “Anna’s in the back.”

“Is she coming out here?” the woman at the front of the line asks, sounding anxious, and I turn to face her. “I’d like her to sign my paper.” She sets it faceup on the counter, and I see a photo of Anna wearing a formfitting dress under the arm of a good-looking man with a smug smile who’s wearing a tux. The headline reads COLD FEET OR COLD HEARTED?

“Like I told you before, ma’am, she’s not coming out.”

“Why not?” She plants her hands on her wide hips. “I drove over an hour just to see her.”

“And you can drive an hour back home,” I tell her, placing my hand on my waist near my badge, and her eyes widen when they drop to it. “Enjoy your cookies and your day.”

Her nose scrunches, and she grumbles something under her breath, then turns to walk away.

“Thanks.” Chrissie shakes her head, smiling at the next customer in line while holding up her finger in a “just a moment” gesture. “Most of the people have been cool about not seeing her, but a few like her have been persistent.”

“Is she okay?” I glance at the doorway that leads to the kitchen, and even though I know she’s back there, she isn’t visible.

“She’s annoyed by the attention, but she’s all right. I’m sure she’d be happy to see you.”

“Are you good with me going back there?”

“Of course,” she says brightly, and I see her husband roll his eyes.

“Thanks.” I head through the open door and stop to watch Anna beating a rolling pin into a large lump of dough on a metal table. “That bad?”

She jumps at my question and spins around to face me. I notice then that she’s been crying. “Hey, how did everything go with work last night?” she asks, wiping the tears off her cheeks with the sleeve of her shirt.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m not.” She drops her hands to her sides. “It’s just the flour making my allergies act up.”

“Are people actually allergic to flour?”

“Yes, haven’t you heard of gluten allergies?”

I smile; I can’t help it. “It must be hard on you, working in a bakery and being allergic to flour, then.”

She shrugs, and I close the distance between us and hold out my arms.

She looks unsure for a moment, but then her face crumples and she drops her forehead to my chest, wrapping her arms around me and holding on tight. “Lance went on the news last night and made it seem like I just needed a break but we were still together.” She tips her head back to meet my gaze. “Can you believe that?”

“Yes,” I say easily, even though I don’t like the idea of him laying claim to her. “He’s probably realizing he was an idiot for letting you go.”

I swipe the last bit of wetness from her cheeks, and her expression softens; then her nose scrunches adorably. “I’m not going back to Chicago, and I’m not getting back with him.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

“Do I need to convince you?” she asks, studying me, and I shake my head. “Then I’m just saying it out loud.”

Good to know. I’m not sure how I’d deal if she told me she was having second thoughts about her ex. “Have you talked to him today?”

“No, but he’s called, and so have my parents and a few of my friends.” She steps back and lets out a deep breath. “I don’t know what to do. I never thought I’d be dealing with this kind of situation, and now Chrissie is dealing with it too.”

“I don’t think she’s upset about having paying customers.”

“The shop doesn’t need my drama.” She leans against the table behind her.

“I won’t be happy if you use this as an excuse to run off,” I warn her.

She sighs. “All I’m saying is I don’t know what to do to put an end to this mess.”

“Maybe you should make a statement to the press.” That comment comes from the doorway, and we both look at Gaston as he walks into the kitchen. “I’ll reiterate what Calvin said and tell you now that I’ll be pissed—and Chrissie will too—if you up and leave. That said, I get why this situation is stressful. But I think if you make it clear publicly that you’re not going back to your old life and that you are happy where you are, people will leave it alone, including your ex.”