The bell above the bakery door chimed as Lena set a tray of raspberry scones in the display case. She glanced up, expecting a regular customer, but her heart stalled when she saw the woman who stepped inside.
Tall, elegant, and dressed in a tailored coat, Judith Harper carried herself like the city itself owed her something. Walker's mother.
Lena straightened, wiping her hands on her apron. "Mrs. Harper," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.
"Lena Hart," Judith said smoothly, her gaze drifting over the display with polite disinterest. "You've kept this place charming. Just like your father."
"Thank you," Lena replied, her throat tightening. "What brings you here?"
Judith's smile didn't reach her eyes. "I'm in town for a board meeting. Walker mentioned he's been staying with you."
Lena's chest constricted. So that was it. Not a visit. A warning.
"He needed a break from hotels," she said lightly. "It's temporary."
"Is it?" Judith tilted her head. "You know, Walker's father and I built Harper Enterprises from nothing. Everything he has was meant to prepare him to carry that legacy forward. Distractions… can be costly."
Lena stood a little straighter. "I care about Walker. I always have."
Judith's expression flickered—approval? Surprise? It was gone too quickly. "Then I'm sure you'll understand how important it is that he stays focused."
Before Lena could respond, Judith turned to leave. "Have a lovely day. The pastries smell delightful."
When the door shut behind her, Lena gripped the counter, the weight of old insecurities crashing down. The girl who'd once watched Walker Harper from across a school hallway suddenly felt very small again.
That evening, when she arrived at his penthouse, she didn't mention the visit. Instead, she brought lemon tarts and a forced smile. Walker noticed something was off, but she brushed it away with a quick kiss and a "long day" excuse.
As they sat down to eat, Walker leaned over and touched her hand. "You sure you're okay?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Just tired."
He watched her for a moment, then decided not to press. "Let's take the weekend off," he said. "No office. No early bakery shifts. Just you and me."
Her smile was real this time. "What, no emails at midnight?"
"Not unless they're from you," he said, brushing a kiss to her temple.
They curled up on the couch after dinner, Lena's head resting against his chest. He ran his fingers slowly through her hair, his mind drifting to the moment he realized he didn't want to fall asleep without her anymore.
Lena closed her eyes, listening to the steady beat of his heart. It should have calmed her, but her mind kept drifting back to Judith's sharp tone, to the cold calculation in her words. She wasn't just a concerned mother—she was a strategist protecting her legacy. And Lena wasn't part of that plan. It made her wonder if Walker had any idea how far his mother might go to keep things exactly the way she wanted.
Walker shifted slightly, pressing a kiss into her hair as if sensing her unease. "You're safe with me," he murmured, though she hadn't said a word. And maybe he meant physically. Maybe emotionally. But Lena knew safety wasn't the issue. It was belonging. She didn't want to be someone he protected from the world. She wanted to be someone who stood beside him in it.
Walker hadn't told his mother where he was staying until this morning. He hadn't expected her to do anything about it.
Now, as Lena sighed softly against him, he wondered if she'd said something. And if she had… how much damage it might've done.
He tightened his hold on her. Whatever it was, they'd get through it. Together.