A Little Harmless Addiction by Melissa Schroeder

would think a man like that would have his pick of women.”
    Cynthia nodded. “Yeah. That’s why I know he was hurt. So he might be a little leery of rushing in. Especially since you’re Chris’s sister and May works for him. Sticky situation. Like I said, good man.”
    Jocelyn sighed. She couldn’t win.
    “What?”
    “Well, I can’t get a scumbag to leave me alone, but a good guy goes running for the hills.”
    Cynthia shook her head. “No, honey. It might be he’s looking for something more and wants to take his time.”
    “What if I can’t give him more?”
    Cynthia sighed. “Then I guess you have to take your time. No one expects you to have the answers, Jocelyn.”
    “I feel like I should, that I should be able to figure it out.”
    Even she heard the frustration in her voice along with a hint of whine. She hated it. Hated the feeling of not being in control.
    “Are you okay? I know the last few days have been hard on you.”
    Since she’d started working at Cynthia’s, Jocelyn had been dealing daily with some of her new anxieties. It had been hard the first day, the initial fear of so many people. But the work had soon filled her day and she found herself lost in her love of baking.
    “No, in fact, I think it saved me. And it helped make sure that your child has a father. Chris was going to drive me nutty with his mothering.”
    Cynthia laughed. “Well then I have done my part. Just remember that he loves you. And, remember, Kai does like you. He definitely has a thing for you from the way he watches you. Both of you just need to figure out where to go from here.”
    “I hate waiting. So I guess I will console myself with another mallasada . Want one?”
    “Always.”
     
    “Good morning, Jocelyn.”
    Jocelyn smiled as she turned and found Mr. Aiona standing on the other side of the counter. He had been in each of the six mornings she had opened the bakery.
    “Good morning, Danny. I would say I was surprised to see you here, but that would be a lie.”
    He chuckled. “How about you say you’re happy that I am here?”
    She couldn’t help but let her smile widen. As each day had slowed down between the breakfast and lunch rush, Danny would come in, coax her into a cup of coffee and conversation. Cynthia came walking from the back, a little pale.
    “Are you okay?”
    She nodded. “Yeah. Better. Don’t tell your brother.”
    “As long as you lie and tell him I didn’t know when he finds out. And you know he’ll find out.”
    Cynthia waved that away but they knew she was right. “Hey, Danny. How are you doing today?”
    “Fine, just fine. Is that keiki giving you problems?”
    “Just in the mornings. Doc says I’ll be fine. You can take your break now, if you want to, Jocelyn.”
    “Sure. Want to try my first attempt at malassadas ?” she asked Danny.
    His eyes lit. “Oh, yes. One of my favorite things.”
    She hid a smile. Everything she offered was one of his favorite things. She had a feeling that since May had moved out, Mr. Aiona had been a little lonely for companionship. Kai and Danny, Jr., his younger son, were busy with their lives.
    They took a seat outside to enjoy the cool morning air. Jocelyn breathed it in and hummed. “I don’t think I have smelled air so sweet as here in Hawaii.”
    “You got that right. Can’t stand the mainland myself.”
    “Your son told me the same thing.”
    He nodded. “Smart boy.”
    Jocelyn sipped her coffee as she watched Danny bite into the mallasada . His eyes widened. “Oh, that is good.” He nibbled at it. “Very good.”
    “I’ll pack you some up for your father.”
    Danny nodded. “He’ll enjoy that. I take it you’re enjoying your time in Hawaii?”
    “Yes, sir. It’s so…relaxed here. No one is really fussy. It reminds me a lot of New Orleans that way.”
    He studied her for a second. “You miss home.”
    “Yeah. But I haven’t lived there in years really. I spent most of my time in Atlanta. But now I am trying to