Granted, they tell you so

 Stu winced as he saw her come into the bakery. How did Kate know he worked here? He hadn't mentioned it. Hell, they hardly talked. He knew she was Shelly's friend. Although, he would have never imagined Kate being anyone's life partner. Not even Brad's.

Of course, he was nowhere in sight. She asked for a coffee and an Eccles. It was the last one.

"Aren't you going to ask?" She looked up at him as she bit into the fruit-filled puff pastry.

"About what?" Stu thought they might as well be strangers.

"Shell? Is she still with O.D.?" She wanted to know.

"Well, of course." Stu hugged himself. "Why wouldn't she?"

"Um, it'll never work out, you know," Kate sounded as if she'd be back wanting to be in her good graces, perhaps.

"Is that so?" He felt like keeping mum from Mia, but she'd get it out of him. No matter what. Somehow, life was different with Mia. He didn't want to say it, but maybe she brought out the best in him. "Maybe Odin is dear to our sweet Shelly, you know."

"Did he take her to the shore?" Kate wanted to know.

"Why would he?" Stu couldn't help but smile. "Not that I know of." He shook his head.

"They won't tie the knot." Kate was certain. 

Stu nodded. "What of it?" He knew here on this sunny cold morning he was conversing more than he had in ages, but the old miss who ran the shop was sure to scurry him somewhere. 

"I was to be married today," Kate said rather sadly.

Stu gave her a sigh and went to wait on a customer. He couldn't spend his whole day with somebody he wasn't even supposed to know.