It’s early when I wake to knocking on the door, and I pick up my phone to see it’s just a little after six. Too tired to think straight, I stagger to the door and pull it open. Breathing a sigh of relief that it’s Owen Campbell on my doorstep. I lick my lips.

“Aren’t you a sight?” He casts his gaze over me, and I look down in horror as I realise I’m wearing Drew’s shirt and nothing else. For once in my life I’m thankful I’m not that tall, and that Drew’s long shirt more closely resembles a nightgown than a T-shirt on me.

“It’s too early. What are you doing here?”

“Are you okay?” He studies me closely. My eyes are still sore from crying the night before, and they’re probably red.

“Yeah. I was, once I could speak to your brother and make sure we were good.” I shoot Owen a glare, and his expression grows sheepish.

“I’m sorry about last night. Can I come in? I brought breakfast.”

“I’ll put the kettle on.”

He follows me into the kitchen and sits at the table, tearing open the bag. “Cheese and bacon croissants. They’re freshly cooked. I hope you’re not vegan or anything.”

Yawning, I shake my head. “That sounds good. How do you take your coffee?”

“Milk, no sugar.” He sighs. “I wanted to apologise for last night. Drew called and tore a strip off me.”

I pluck two mugs from the cupboard and flick the water on to boil. “He said he was going to talk to you.”

“He’s just a crazy man in love. I’ll forgive him.”

Spooning the coffee into the cups, I smile. “You think so?”

“He’s crazy about you. He said you had some trouble with that weirdo.”

I sigh as I pour the milk. “He tried to kiss me. I don’t know if he’s used to people saying no to him.”

“That’s not a good thing. I’ll leave you my number and if you need any help, give me a call.”

Placing the cups on the table, I sit opposite him. “Are you always this helpful?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? If you’re Drew’s girl, you’re practically part of the family. Better than the last one.”

He pushes the paper bag into the centre of the table. Four croissants sit on it, and the scent wafting from them is amazing.

“From what Drew’s said, that’s not difficult.” I pick up a croissant. It’s soft and warm, and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it. “Thank you for breakfast.”

“It was the least I could do after being so rude last night. Drew deserves better than what he had with his ex, and it sounds like he’s got that now. I feel bad.”

I take a bite and close my eyes as the melted cheese and bacon taste fills my mouth. After the stress of the night before, it’s heaven. “I really appreciate you making the effort. This is so good. You can bring breakfast any time.”

He grins. “I wouldn’t tell Drew that.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

Laughing, Owen leans back in his chair. “You don’t have to worry about me. It’s not going to stop me flirting shamelessly with you when Drew’s around. He torments Adam like that.”

“I noticed. He has a nickname for her.”

“Lily-Belle?”

I nod.

“He used to call her that when we were kids to get a rise out of her because she hated it. After all the shit that happened with her mother, he stuck with it because it was familiar.” He leans over a little. “She’s like the sister we never had, so don’t ever read too much into it.”

I laugh. “Okay. I won’t.”

“So, what are you guys going to do?”

“What do you mean?”

He takes a sip of his coffee. “It makes no sense for Drew to come back here, so I assume you’re moving to Hamilton.”

I shrug. “We haven’t got that far yet, but it’s the only thing that does make sense.”

Owen nods. “Are you okay with that?”

I finish my last bite and pick up my mug, cradling it in my hands. “I love this place. It’s been my saviour in so many ways, but I want to be with Drew. I’m not really sure what I’ll do.”

“He really is smitten. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this.”

“Did you ever meet his ex?”

Owen rolls his eyes. “Once, when I went to Hamilton to check out a new supplier. She’s a real piece of work, that one.”

“What do you mean?”

“She was just so whiny. Drew came out for a drink with me, and she decided to tag along only to complain that where we were going wasn’t nice enough. She wanted somewhere fancy where the drinks were probably twice the price. All she did was sit in the corner and whinge the whole time.”

I shake my head. “I’m trying to picture Drew putting up with that.”

“I’m pretty sure he only did because he felt guilty finishing things. She quit her job five minutes after moving in without speaking to him, and I think he felt obligated to look after her.”

“That’s the kind of thing he would do. He’s such a softy.”

Owen nods. “Yeah, he is. That’s why I reacted the way I did last night. I’ve seen enough of his kind nature being taken advantage of.” He sighs. “I should have known you weren’t like that.”

“To be fair, how would you have known? It’s not like we’re close friends. I just buy bread from time to time.”

He laughs. “Maybe we should remedy that. My flat is useless, but I’ll talk to Adam about having a barbecue at his place. We’ll have a family get-together.”

“Does that include your parents?”

“Have you met them yet?”

I shake my head. “No. Drew hasn’t met mine either, so I think that’s fair enough. I’ve heard a bit about your mother.”

“Then you’ll know why they won’t be invited.”

“I guess. She sounds a lot like my mother to be honest.”

He rolls his eyes. “You and Drew will be perfect together then. Just stay away from all of the parentals.”

I grin. “My mother wants to hook me up with a man of her choosing. I’m sure she’ll like Drew, though. He ticks all her boxes.”

Owen smiles. “Why do you think I’m still single? It’s so I don’t have to deal with all this shit. As if you don’t have enough to deal with too. The last thing I’d do is hook up with someone in a different city. Screw having to travel for sex.”

I know he’s just chatting, but that hurts. Every day, I feel the distance more and more. It’s not as if we’re in different countries and unable to see each other, but our distance still reminds me of the years I spent in boarding school, abandoned by my parents.

When I first went there, I cried every night for weeks. I only got to go home during the school holidays. I even spent long weekends as a boarder and learned for the first time what loneliness was. When I let my mind still and relax, it’s what I feel now.

“Shit, Hayley, that was insensitive. If it works for you two, that’s awesome.”

I shrug. “I’m not sure if it is. Drew means everything to me, but I hate the time in between, you know?”

He nods. “If I know Drew, he hates it too. He’s such a nice guy, and he gives his heart away way too easily. But I think he’s found something special with you.”

“It is special.”

“So you two will make it work somehow. I can guarantee that if he’s sleeping with you, there won’t be anyone else in his life.”

I smile. “I hope it’ll work. He’s a nice guy, your brother.”

“Yeah, he is. And that’s from the brother who had to put up with sharing a room with him for the first twelve years of my life.”

That brings a grin to my face. “Tell me about you guys growing up. Was Drew always so sweet?”

“Always. Corey was the one who constantly got in trouble. Adam followed in his shadow until he met Lily.”

I nod.

“Drew would bring home stray animals and pretend to be a doctor.”

His memory makes smile. I could just picture Drew doing that, he’s so caring.

He tilts his head. “At least you’re smiling again. I thought for a bit I’d put you off a long-distance relationship with my brother.”

I can’t pretend it doesn’t still bother me, but I don’t want to talk about it anymore. “What about you? What were you like?”

He shrugs. “I just never wanted to settle down. Still don’t. I have my bakery, and that’s enough for me.”

“Really?”

Owen shifts in his seat as if he’s uncomfortable. “Really. I’m not the type to get tied to someone forever.”

“Maybe the right person is out there for you.”

“It’s okay if they’re not.” He nudges my arm. “Drew’s never sounded the way he does talking about you. That’s love.”

Glancing at the clock, his eyes widen. “Shit. I told Mel I’d be back in twenty minutes. It’s nearly half past.”

“Do you need a hand in the bakery? I’ll help.”

He grins. “I bet you would too. You’re as nice a person as Drew is. That’d be why you’re so sickly sweet together.” He lets out a loud breath. “We’ll be fine. Mel complains a lot, but she’s turning out to be such a great baker. I hope she stays with me when she finishes her apprenticeship.”

“For your sake, I hope so too.” I stand, taking the paper bag and scrunching it into a ball. “Thank you for visiting, Owen. It means a lot.”

“You’re welcome. Pop by for a chat whenever you need to. I’ll give you my number, and I mean it—call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

He stands and hugs me.

“Be good to my brother and he’ll worship the ground you walk on. Promise.”

I nod.

“I should go before you realise I’m feeling you up. Give me your number and I’ll text you mine.”

Laughing as he lets go of me, I tell him my number.

He leaves me with fresh croissants and a smile on my face.

I know I’ve found a friend.