❝❞

I stayed in place, surprised. That was Zee. The face. That was her. Why hadn't I looked in time? I watched her drive away with absolutely nothing I could do at that moment. I just couldn't believe my eyes. I had to see her again. To talk to her at least.

"Hey Renée, is everything okay?" Marnie asked me.

I swallowed and nodded, "Yeah, I just thought I saw someone I knew."

I knew darn well though, that was Zee.

"Come on, I want to introduce you to my cousin." She said to me.

I followed her to where the blonde beauty stood behind a glass counter, her hair pulled up in a ponytail and a smile on her face. She almost had a striking resemblance with Marnie.

"Taylor, this is Renée, we work at the bakery together. And Renée, this is Taylor, my cousin."

After an exchange of pleasantries, I looked to the other lady behind the glass counter, the one Zee had been talking to. I excused myself quickly and made my way to her.

"Hi," I greeted, a small smile on my face.

The lady passed me a smile, "Hey there, I'm Tamara. I saw you looking at some products. Do you need any recommendations?"

I shook my head, "No, I don't, the products are great, though,  but I was just wondering if you, by any chance know the name of the lady who left the shop not quite long ago."

Tamara seemed to think for a while before saying, "No, I don't, sorry. Why?"

I sighed, "It's fine. She just looked like someone I know and I wanted to be sure."

"Though she's a loyal customer and now that I think about it, it's really bad that I don't know her name. She comes to get stuff here a lot, she's even gotten lots of discounts."

"Whoa," I retorted.

"How about you give me your phone number? If she cones again, I'll text you. You'll only just have to come on time."

My eyes widened, "You'll do that for me?"

"Sure, but don't forget. You'll have to come on time."

I nodded, "I will, and I promise I'm not up to anything sneaky."

Tamara chuckled, "I'm sure you aren't."

"Thank you very much once again," I gushed.

By the time I got home, Tanner wasn't back from work, so I decided to work on dinner. He always had food ready every time I got back from work so I was going to make some Mac and cheese. It was the only food I could make that I knew he will really enjoy. While cooking, I began to think of the possibilities of actually seeing Zee. Should I tell Tanner I saw her today? It was a few minutes past eight and the food was ready when Tanner finally came in.

"Ah, I smell Mac and cheese and it smells so good!" Tanner called the moment he walked through the front door.

"Yep! I smelt correctly. I made dinner."

My big brother kissed the top of my head, "It's exactly what I've been craving."

Minutes later, me and Tanner ate our food quietly. I looked at him, "Tanner?"

"Hmm?" He looked at me, his mouth full.

I played with my spoon. Should I tell him? Should I not?

"I..."

I what? Maybe I should hold on till I was sure that was actually Zee. "— I'm grateful for you."

He smiled before reaching out to ruffle my hair, "I'm grateful for you too. You could be a pain in the butt, but I'm always grateful for you."

I stuck out my tongue at him. I hadn't told a complete lie. I was grateful for my big brother.

*****

"You'll never believe who I saw yesterday," I told Kaleb excitedly, "Well, more like who I think I saw."

"Who? Deadpool?"

"Haha, that was funny," I rolled my eyes, "No! It was Zee!"

He had an eyebrow raised, "Zee, as in... as in Tanner's ex?"

"Mhm," I nodded, smiling. "So, I followed my friend at work Marnie to Woodley and Bunny because she wanted to grab hair stuff. Zee was there and by the counter. I was too late by the time I turned to see her going into her car. Actually, I only got to see her side  view but I'm sure that was her."

"Whoa. Did you tell Tanner?"

"No. I mean, I can't tell him just yet. I want to be sure it was her. At least, I have to see her again."

"Dude, LA isn't small. How do you think you'll find her?"

I smiled, "After I saw it was Zee, I went to the lady behind the counter and in the end, the lady took down my number and said to text if Zee comes there again. Apparently, Zee is a loyal customer."

"That's sick."

"I know! I just hope it really is her."

"How do you think Tanner will react knowing she's here in LA?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. I just want to talk to Zee. That aside, today's the day you come into the bakery."

Kaleb rubbed his palms together, "Yep."

"So, what's the plan?"

"Whatever I do, just play along. I promise, you won't be lost."

I nodded. As we were about to walk to History, Sydney walked up to Kaleb, shooting me a dirty glare, causing me to roll my eyes before walking away.

*****

I stood behind the counter at work, my eyes occasionally darting to the front door. Kaleb was meant to come in.

River was seated in his usual seat, focused on his drawing and I couldn't help but notice that he practically paid no mind at all to me. I couldn't lie, it was starting to bother me and I started to wonder if this plan with Kaleb would work.

Just when I was thinking that, the door of the bakery opened and Kaleb walked in. I tried to push my present thought aside and now act like I didn't know he was making his way to me. I knew he was in front of me the moment I smelt his cologne.

I looked up at him and he grinned, saying, "Idiot."

I suppressed a smile, "Come on, you're not meant to make me laugh or smile just yet."

"Sorry, I couldn't help it. But hey, I actually can. We could let him think I'm someone from school, which I actually am."

"That's a great idea. Are you buying anything or what?"

Kaleb chuckled, "Trying to make sales for your workplace, aren't you?"

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Shut up. How else should this work?"

"Whatever you do, don't look at him," Kaleb said lowly then leaned against the counter, "Look down at me."

I did as he said and he gave me the goofiest grin I'd ever seen, I couldn't help but let out a low but very hearty laugh.

"Oh God, Kaleb are you getting something or what?" I asked again after my laughter had died.

For a minute, I wasn't actually thinking of River or trying to make him jealous and I guessed that was Kaleb's plan.

"First off, that was a plan that had to be carried out subtly. I made you look at me and laugh lowly. If you had laughed out, it would have been obvious and would have been forced to look at him, and who knows? Hr might catch your eye and boom, he'll figure you want him to be jealous."

My, Kaleb really knew what he was doing.

"— And two, I'll take a smoothie."

I nodded and fixed him a cup of smoothie.

"Kaleb, be nice and get one for me," I told him as I handed him the cup.

"Nope. Bye," he said, ruffling my hair. "And don't watch me leave. Act like you're busy with something."

"Idiot," I muttered as he  walked away.

"Renée, if eyes could kill, that guy would be six feet under," Marnie came to my side very shortly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Look at River over there."

My heart raced even as I threw a quick glance at him. He had his jaw clenched as he watched Kaleb leave the bakery.

That had to be him jealous.

●

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