She’d taken out the instructions, but even she’d struggled to make sense of them. All of that would be saved for Smokey.
“Not that I think you’re a loser.”
Ava laughed. “I know I’m a loser, but I’m proud of it.”
“See, nothing wrong with being proud of your loserness.” Harlow groaned. “One of my brothers is going to turn up. Mom will moan incessantly until they do what she wants.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“I don’t want you to see me as a little girl having to be escorted home by her brother. It will probably be Big Dick. Asshole that he is.”
Ava walked away from the window. The snow was starting to cause her some concern. “You adore your brothers. Each unbearable one.”
“Now that is completely true,” Harlow said. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to them. I don’t know if they like me.”
“You’re family. Of course they do.”
“You never talk about your family,” Harlow said. “Do you have a close relative nearby?”
“My parents died some time ago, actually. No other relatives. I know they wanted more kids, but it never happened.”
“Oh, crap, I’m so sorry.”
Ava smiled at the woman, knowing deep in her heart Harlow would never hurt her, at least not intentionally.
“I know. That’s life. It’s hard to get used to. There are times I wish they were still alive.” She put a hand on her ever-increasing bump. “Like with this one. I wish Mom could give me advice. I have no idea what I’m doing, and I’m terrified I’m going to raise a serial killer.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. You’re going to be an incredible mom. If he turns out to be a serial killer, blame his dad.”
Rather than be offended, Ava found herself laughing. “That’s a good one.”
“It’s what I’m here for.” Harlow looked out of the window and made a yuck sound. “What did I tell you. Big Dick. I don’t even know why she bothers to phone him.”
“He’s still her son.”
“Yeah, but he’s also club. I don’t think Mom wanted him to join. He did so anyway. I can’t remember the rest, but there was a big fight between them all.”
“He’s here.”
“Come on, Harlow, I’ve got to take you home. Mom’s orders.”
“Oh, so the big, bad biker gets to take me home.”
Big Dick rolled his eyes. “You’re going home, baby.”
“No. I happen to be working.”
He turned toward her. “I know you don’t want me in here, but I’ve got to do what my mom said.”
“I removed the sign,” Ava said.
“You did?”
Ava nodded. “Yes, you can stop sending in your prospects without their leather cuts.” She turned away, refusing to meet his eyes.
“I’ll let everyone know.”
She’d stared at the sign one morning and rather than leave it up, she’d torn it down. This was a business, and she had to treat it like one. Not allowing any MC men or women, well, it was bad for business. She wished for her shop to thrive, and that was exactly what she did.
“You know about that, huh?” Big Dick asked.
Ava shrugged. She hadn’t suspected until one of the prospects had walked across the street and before leaving, put on his leather cut, showing who he was. At first, she’d been pissed, and then she’d found it funny.
Clearly, her baked goods were popular.
“You can go,” Ava said, looking toward Harlow.
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you.”
“I’m fine. I’m going to close up and head on home. We haven’t had many customers today. I’m all set.”
“I don’t like the thought of you driving in the snow,” Big Dick said.
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be perfectly fine. Go and take Harlow home. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her.”
Harlow sighed. “I’ll grab my stuff.”
She left them alone.
“How is she doing?” Big Dick asked.
“Fine. Why?”
“Harlow has … trouble. I don’t know why or what it is. She was never good at making friends growing up. She’s found life difficult at times.”
“I think she’s wonderful,” Ava said. “And she’s always got a job here.”
Harlow returned, pulling on a jacket. “I’m here. You will call me the moment you get home. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Ava gave her a tight hug. “Go and warm yourself up.”
“I don’t like leaving you.”
“I’m a loser grownup. I can handle it.”
Harlow still hesitated, and Ava waved her and her concern off. Once the door was shut, she locked it, flicking the sign to Closed. There weren’t many people around. The thought of going back home to loneliness didn’t appeal, but being here wasn’t going to change that.
She packed away all the cookies and cakes, trying to preserve them for as long as she could. She cleaned every single surface. Being thorough.
With nothing else to do, she had no choice but to start making her way home.
The cold was already starting to seep into the shop.
After grabbing her bag and jacket, she pulled it on. The moment she stepped outside, the cold flooded her, making her gasp. She was a lot happier to have settled for boots rather than some inappropriate heel.