Chapter 50

• Nicole was busy arranging a tray of freshly baked pastries in the display case of her mom's bakery. She was lost in thought, her mind still reeling from the events of the previous night. Her mom, Karen, had just arrived at the bakery and was trying to strike up a conversation with Nicole.
• "Hey, sweetie, I wanted to talk to you about Lucas," Karen said, her voice gentle and non-judgmental.
• But Nicole was having none of it. She shook her head and muttered, "I don't want to talk about him, Mom. I don't think he's good for Ashley."