BITTEN

"Bye Nora! I'm locking up and heading out!" Darcy called, slipping off her apron and cramming it into her tote. "Okay, Darcy! See you tomorrow," Nora answered from the kitchen. Five years earlier, Nora had opened "Nora's Coffee House," and Darcy just happened to walk past when a 'help wanted' notice was stuck in the window. Nora brought her in the following day and hired her as a barista. She'd warned Darcy the shifts would be long and the money wouldn't be great at first. Even so, Darcy had been glad to help the gentle woman chase her dream of running a coffee shop. As the years passed, their friendship deepened until Nora seemed more like a sister than an employer. Darcy shared everything about her life with her. And whenever the mood hit, Nora traded stories about her own impulsive romances. With only seven years between them, Nora had lived a far bigger, fuller life than Darcy ever felt she had. You're twenty-five! How you're ready to make the first man you've loved your forever baffles me. Darcy could almost hear Nora saying it, shaking her head while Darcy headed for the door. Today meant too much for anything to spoil it. "Darcy!" Nora called. At the click of heels over the hardwood, Darcy turned and found Nora coming toward her with a broad grin and a bag swinging from one hand. "What?" Darcy asked, tugging the tie free from her long hair. She bent for her umbrella and saw Nora's grin widen into a full smile. Lifting a wary brow, Darcy glanced at the bag being offered to her.