Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
“Oh.” That one syllable is loaded with hurt, but also self-protection. “I understand.”
“I just don’t want to mess things up for you. This is a huge chance here, and it’s going so well. And I feel like—”
“It’s fine,” she says, agreeing almost too soon. “I understand. It’s too much to deal with all of this. It makes perfect sense. We should cool it.”
My chest feels like it’s being torn in half. “It’s for the best, don’t you think?” I say, since this has to be what she needs. I can’t keep trying to win her over when she’s made her feelings clear.
“Case in point—today.” Her tone is crisp, but then she lets out the biggest yawn I’ve ever seen. Possibly, it looks forced, but she’s dealt with a lot today. “I need to go home, sleep in my own bed. Can you lock up?”
A second later, she’s already at the door.
I didn’t see that coming. But it’s my turn to help her out, rather than stand in her way. “Of course,” I say, racing over to open the door. At least I can hold it for her, but she beats me to it.
She leaves, gets in her car, and drives off.
I watch till the lights vanish in the distance. She’s not sleeping in the bed I got her for Christmas. It’s like a punch to the gut, but I deserve it.
44
FIVE-ALARM FIRE
MABEL
The banging of a jackhammer rips through my apartment.
I sit bolt upright.
Blink. Check the time. Stare longingly at my pillow.
But nope. I drag my exhausted self out of the bed at the ungodly hour of six.
I had to wake up even earlier than usual since I stormed off to make my point of sleeping in the city.
Like I wanted to sleep in the bed he got me.
I set five alarms. No more chirping. No more pleasant sounds. I’m going to be a morning person if it kills me.
I march out of bed straight to the shower. After cranking the water as hot as I can, I step under a scalding stream. That new leaf means I’m going to be all about Afternoon Delight, Afternoon Delight, Afternoon Delight.
Not this hole in my heart.
This sting in my eyes.
This tightness in my throat.
No one notices your tears when you cry in the shower.
But it was inevitable—the breakup. It never works out when you try to strike up a romance with your business partner. It just doesn’t. You can only break the rules for so long. Eventually, you have to choose. I’d do well to remember that.
I get out of the shower, and I think of recipes. I get dressed and imagine names to call new treats. I get on the road and plan the day ahead. I am focused. I am a new Mabel. I am all business.
I arrive at Afternoon Delight earlier than I’ve ever been there before, and I’m in the zone, prepping for the day. Before anyone else can even show up to help me, I take off. The Danishes are ready, so I drop them to the guys in the town square. The cookies are all set for Joni, so I take those to her.
Then, I do the hard thing. I head to the university, going the speed limit the entire way. I find my mother in her office, towering shelves of books along the wall and papers all over her desk.
She blinks and looks at me. “Mabel?”
“I was late yesterday, and that was rude,” I say, cutting to the chase. I thrust out the flowers I picked up for her as well as a small box of baked goods. This is getting to be my life. Apologies and gifts. Gifts and apologies.
“You really didn’t have to do that,” she says, taking both and setting them down.
“I did though,” I say, keeping my chin up and staying strong. “Because you were right. I was distracted yesterday. I should have been more focused. I should have been early. I should have dressed better. I didn’t even run a brush through my hair, and I’m sorry I showed up like that for you. That was wrong.”
She takes a beat, giving me a soft smile. “All of us have bad days.”
But it’s not that simple. “You were right about everything. I was distracted by a guy. But he broke it off. Well, we broke it off last night. But it’s fine. I’m not going to worry about that. I’m going to focus on the bakery like I should.” I’m resolute and give a nod.
She frowns sympathetically. “Did you like him?”
My chest aches. My heart hurts. I liked him so much it was, well, more than like. I was in love with him. “I did,” I say, swallowing past the hurt. “It’s Corbin. Theo’s friend.”
Recognition dawns in her eyes. “He’s always seemed like such a generous, thoughtful guy.”