Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 28

Tessa’s POV

I sit quietly at a counter seat near the front of the 24-hour cafe, sipping the disgusting coffee and barely edible omelette while I scroll through the burner phone to catch up on the news. I watch out of the corners of my eyes as people queue up in a line to enter the store across the street. They all seem very excited and happy to be there. The window of the store has the silhouette of a wolf wearing a pointy witch’s hat. Above the image, in curly purple and white lettering, are the words ‘Patisseries de’ and below it are ‘ Loup Magique’ meaning ‘Magic Wolf Pastries’. I roll my eyes at blatant call out to the owners of the little bakery. The lights in the front of the store turn on, and a petite woman in a purple and white apron opens the door.

A security guard dressed in a purple shirt and black pants stands guard next to the front door, while another shoos away photographers from getting too close.

“Excuse me,” I call to the waitress behind the counter.

“Yes, Miss? Would you like some more coffee?” she asks in her powdery voice that reminds me of a grandmother.

“Oh Goddess no...I mean...No thank you. I was just wondering, what is that place over there? Where all the people are standing,” I point to the little bakery, “Is it that good that people stand in line for it and why are there photographers?”

“Oh yes, Loup Magique is the best bakery in town. We get our pies and cakes from there. The owner is Bronx Mason’s wife,” she wiggles her eyebrows at me as if that is supposed to be impressive news.

“Ohhhh, how...uhh cool,” I make my eyes a little bigger and emphasize the word cool, for effect. When in reality, I don’t give a shit that the owner is Bronx’s wife.

“You’re staying at Mrs. Kirby’s, right?” she asks with a tinge of sympathy in her voice.

until I can find something else,” I responded without

Delilah, those are the girls that own the place. They are both sweethearts. They are always looking for people to work in the back. Baking, decorating, cleaning, things like that. I can put in a friendly word for you if you’d like,” I feel her touch my wrist of the hand holding the

stiffen, fighting the urge to snap her fingers for touching me. I clear my throat and gently slide my hand away from hers,

get her girls back on their feet, you know,” her voice lowers as she thinks she

nervous about people knowing my business,” I give her a little nervous

steady job. Unfortunately, I'm fully staffed, but why don’t you go stand

the caramel chips in them, even if you do chicken out on asking for a job,” she gives me a little wink as she

and a small smile, “Can I use

she picks up my plate and

before putting on a blonde wig. After I adjust the wig so it looks more natural, and decide to put a baseball cap and sunglasses over just to

see the overly friendly waitress. I quickly make my way out of the restaurant, conveniently dropping a couple of one hundred-dollar bills on

make my way to the end. The girls in front of me go on and on about which cupcakes they want to try. I try to ignore them as I assess security and escape routes. I calculate the distance between the door and various cameras around the shop. The guards are all carrying semi-automatic handguns,

line moves quickly and before I know it; I'm at the register, looking at the smiling young woman with sparkly silver hair and violet irises. I take off the dark sunglasses and look at her with a smile.

looks at me for a moment and blinks

remember anything from the Waiting Room. Especially for how many times she touched the door, resetting her memory while she was in there. I breathe an internal sigh of

Can I interest you in our wolf spirit special? It’s a coffee with two cookies or a cupcake.

turn my attention from the board with flavors listed to the woman. She is stunning, with a sly smile on her face. I feel my breath catch in my throat, standing this

I falter before I speak, “Yeah, I’ll take