1 Chapter One

"Mom, I love you but please for the love of God, shut up." I rolled my eyes as my mom, for the umpteenth time, tells me about the boy at the bakery.

"He's a lovely, sweet boy, Mina. I'll take you to go meet him one day!"

I switched my phone to the other ear as I fumbled with the keys to my apartment. "As much as I would love that. I can't, Mom. You know I can't do that with where I am right now."

"I know, Mahina but that's exactly why you should! Take a quick break from life to go to the cafe with your dear mother," She took a deep breath, "I know Kennedy meant so much to you, but get this; I searched what his name means, and it means armored head! That explains so much about him! He wasn't good for you anyway." I could Basically see her waving her hand in disapproval. She never liked Kennedy since day one.

"Well, then what's Bakery Boy's name mean?" I sassed as my door opened and I shuffled into my small apartment. I set my bags on the coffee table as Daisy jumped up onto the couch and let out an excited bark.

"I don't know his name yet." I groaned and flopped down on the couch next to Daisy scratching her head. She crawled onto my lap and rested her head on my chest. I placed a kiss on the top of her furry head.

"So you're trying to set me up with someone who only shows you their professional personality, and you don't know his name?" 

"Well when you put it that way," she huffed.

"Mom, I love you, and I know you just want the best for me, but I'm not ready for another relationship."

"It's been a year, Mina. You need to get over him."

"It's not that easy, Mom-"

"Mahina," she cut me off, "if you don't try to move on you won't. You need to move on. Honey, even Megan has come to me asking if you have a new boyfriend yet."

"Your neighbor doesn't count, Mom."

"She counts to me!"

"I know. I have to go. Daisy probably hasn't been outside yet today," I mumbled. Daisy heard me say 'outside' and she perked up her tail making a whooshing sound as it wagged back and forth.

"You should try out that app called Wags, I think it is? It lets you schedule a time to have her taken for a walk while you're at work or something."

"I'm not giving some stranger access to my apartment. If anything, I would ask Winter because I trust her with Daisy, and Daisy knows who she is because she practically lives here." My phone double beeped at me telling me that either I had another incoming call or my battery was about to die. "I'd love to keep chatting Mom, but I really have to go. My battery is about to die."

"Alright, I'll let you go. I love you!"

"I love you too, Mom and tell August I love him, and that I'll visit soon okay?"

"I will. Bye Mina." With that, my mom finally hung up. I grabbed my charger chord from beside the couch and plugged in my phone.

Daisy let out an impatient groan. 

"Alright, alright, we'll go outside now!" I rubbed her head and got off the couch to find her leash. She followed me to the door and sat down waiting for me to clip the leash onto her collar. I quickly did so after I slipped my shoes on. I swiped my keys off the counter and opened the door, stumbling out after Daisy pulling me out.

I walked her to the nearby dog park and let her do her business. I picked up after her and tossed it in the trash after unclipping her leash. She continued to sit as I wrapped up the leash. She stared up at me with an expectant look.

"What? Go play," I waved her off but she groaned back at me. I rolled my eyes and squatted down to her level placing a kiss on her head, "You're ridiculously spoiled you know that right?"

Her tail whooshed as it swung back and forth. As I stood back up, Daisy ran off to play with the other dogs. I walked to a nearby bench and sat down. I instantly was overcome with boredom remembering that I left my phone at home and I didn't grab my book from the counter.

I watched Daisy play with the other dogs for a while until someone sat next to me. I turned to look at them and my breath hitched.

"Hey, Mahina," he greeted as if nothing happened.

"Afternoon, Kennedy."

"How have you been?"

"Fantastic," I looked down to see Chase sitting at Kennedy's feet, "You?"

"I've been good. The past couple weeks have been tough, but I got through it, obviously."

I nodded and silence fell over us, but with Kennedy, nothing lasts very long. Including loyalty and honesty.

"How's Daisy?"

"Great," I keep my answers short to avoid saying something I'll regret, "Chase?"

"He's doing pretty good. He's getting a bit chunky because I haven't had time to take him here for a few weeks."

I slightly nodded, not saying anything else.

"Look, Mahina, I messed up-"

"You think?" I snapped and turned to him.

"I know I hurt you and I didn't mean to-"

"Then why did you?"

He was silent for a moment as he unclipped Chase and let him run.

"It was an accident-"

"An accident?! That was an accident?!"

"Mina-"

"It's Mahina," I stated bluntly.

"Mahina," he took my hand in his, "I'm still in love with you."

"Where? I can't see it, I sure didn't feel it! What is this love you're talking about because it doesn't seem to exist!" Angry tears pricked my eyes and Kennedy, like always, showed no emotion whatsoever.

"I know you're angry-"

"It has been over a year and you are now saying you're sorry and that you love me? What gave you the impression that I wanted you to love me again?! What gave you the idea to suddenly come back?! Are you jealous of my success and that I'm a rising name in the music industry?! You had your chance and you wasted it!" I took a deep breath to calm myself down. I yanked my hand away from his and stood up. "I hope you have a wonderful evening, but Daisy and I are meeting my mom for dinner."

I whistled and Daisy ran over to me with Chase following her. I clipped Daisy's leash to her collar.

"Can I walk you home?" Kennedy pleaded.

"No, I can walk myself home, thank you. Have a wonderful rest of your day. Goodbye Kennedy." Daisy and I exited the dog park and walked home.

***

I unlocked the apartment then ran to the couch grabbing my phone. I unlocked it and pulled up my mom's contact immediately clicked call.

It took a few rings before she picked up.

"Hello?" 

"I'll go meet your Bakery Boy."

"Really?! Oh, Mina, this is wonderful! You're going to love him!"

"I'll meet you at your house at six."

"See you then, I love you, Mahina."

"I love you too."