Owen had been lingering in the Serendipity Cafe for the better part of half an hour, nursing a cup of joe when Cecilia, the charming waitress with a glint of mischief in her eyes, nudged him to get a move on his workday.

He dragged his feet, secretly wishing for a torrential downpour to give him the excuse to play hooky. Unfortunately, as he escorted Cecilia back inside, the rain came to an abrupt halt.

"Cecilia, come on, see me off, will ya?" he pleaded with a grin.

She chuckled in response. "You don't know your way? It's just a few steps from the door. You really need me to walk you?"

Though she teased him, Cecilia turned around, heading back inside. Moments later, she emerged with a box of pastries, freshly baked by Basil, the cafe's renowned pastry chef. Tucking the box into a bag, she handed it to Owen. "You barely touched your breakfast rolls. I don't want you to starve, so here's a little something to tie you over."

"No charge, consider it a gift," she added with a wink.

Owen felt a warm buzz in his heart but couldn't resist a playful jab: "These are just for me, right? Not like those two boxes you gave to Ike Moore on the house."

He hadn't forgotten how Cecilia had once favored Ike with her generosity.

Cecilia's laughter filled the air. "Still clinging to that old story? You've got a heart smaller than a needle's eye. Now scoot, off to work with you!"

Yet, she couldn't resist walking him to his car.

As Owen reluctantly rolled down his window, he made one last request: "Cecilia, it's gonna be hours before I see you again. How about a couple of pecks to keep the longing at bay and spare me the pangs of lovesickness?"

a mix of amusement and embarrassment. They were in the middle of the street, for goodness' sake, and

if he seemed to have

him in public, Owen was merely stirring the pot. He glanced at Jay and Rex, ensuring Cecilia would have their assistance whenever needed, before reluctantly rolling up his window and driving off. Soon after, several

been nearby all along. He was still the same Owen,

asking Jay and

to work, and a customer entered a woman dressed to the nines,

the waitress and made a

right?" the woman asked, her tone suggesting

guardedly. "May I ask who

out a document from her stylish tote and slapped it on

this?" Cecilia

a medical report, confirming the woman's

I follow. Why are you showing me your pregnancy test? Am I supposed to be responsible for

the absurdity of the

"Cecilia, I'm pregnant, and your man is the

cafe went silent, and the playful atmosphere

Owen? He must have just gotten back to the

dialing Owen, who answered promptly. "Is

trouble," Jay murmured, trying to keep the situation under wraps. "It's a big mess,

perfectly fine!" Owen

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