Honestly, Philip had no idea what he was doing. He was vaguely aware that the thing they really needed to talk about could hardly be broached in such a public location. But even so, he had not been able to resist the urge to break the silence that had fallen between them. It had gone on too long and he had missed Harper James terribly. Things just weren't as bright and fun without the other man around, it seemed.

It was a little offsetting how much being called Mr Aymslowe instead of with their usual first name basis familiarity felt like a gut punch. "Quite well, it has been a while since you stopped by my shop. The pies are missing you," he said, trying to jest while conveying his own sense of having missed Harper between the lines. Hopefully Harper could read between them.

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