"What's the point of meeting? Back then, I chose not to be part of the Jones family," I asked.

Dylan, seemingly prepared for this, gave a light "hmm" and had no other reaction.

Since he was like this, I couldn't say much more. I just held Freya and went home.

7

The situation was one coming after another.

Faced with Rowan's sudden confession, I felt uneasy. My intuition told me something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint what.

I wanted to persuade Rowan to quit, but he said, "Is it wrong to like someone? Should I be fired for confessing to you? Even if I leave, I won't give up on you," he said.

His words were too righteous. I couldn't argue back.

I remembered he was the only staff member left on duty. I had to keep him and deal with it later.

Rowan, however, pushed his luck. Early in the morning, just as I opened the shop, he stood at the door grinning.

Behind him was Dylan, with his long eyebrows furrowed, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He looked inscrutable.

Seeing them like this, I felt like a piece of meat being chased to be shared.

I walked slowly down the street with Freya while Rowan and Dylan followed on either side.

The distance was just right for me to hear Rowan's voice.