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It’s Ben’s turn to laugh. “No, just you and your family’s millions.”
“You know that’s a part of me, and while yes, initially I started this to prove something to you, Ben. It’s proved something to me too. I do like it. I enjoy it. I’m not giving it up.”
I reach for his hand and pull him over beside us and we have a three-way hug that lasts longer than is wise, given that I do need to get these orders fulfilled.
“But I’ll think about hiring some help,” I say. “But no matter why I started this, I do love it. And I’m not giving up the thing that keeps me grounded.”
“I thought I was the thing that kept you grounded?” Ben says, clutching his chest as if my words have wounded him.
“Give me a couple of hours to finish up, then I’ll be home. All right?”
“If you’re sure you don’t want us to help,“ Jocelyn says.
“I am. I’ll be faster on my own. I promise,” I say, realising just how true it is. If they don’t actively get in my way, I’ll end up distracted and messing up all on my own. So it’s best if I just concentrate on this first and on them later. “Don't you need to be at the theatre, anyway?”
“I have an hour,” Ben says.
“We’re getting an Uber then. See you later, Matt. I'll be waiting.”
I wave at them, blowing a kiss as they disappear into the front shop, then I hear the bell and the door locking behind them. I wash my hands, don a clean apron and set to work on the rest of the macarons.
Before I leave for the night, all the orders are packed and ready for collection, and the front window is filled with a festive rainbow of treats. And if I could somehow package and sell the smell in the kitchen, it would be guaranteed to make anyone within its vicinity feel the touch of the festive season.
Inspired by Jocelyn’s garland I’ve baked an extra couple of batches of matcha macarons with a pale green vanilla centre, and one batch of vanilla one left undyed and arranged them to look like sprigs of mistletoe. Maybe some of my customers, seeing them, will find someone of their own to kiss over the festive season. Someone who they can not only be themselves with but are willing to make changes for too.
It’s after eight by the time I’m heading home, thankfully with no work at all to distract me once I get there. Just Jocelyn to myself for three hours, an interesting length of mistletoe to play with, then Ben coming home later to complete us. Or maybe I’ll see if we can get tickets for Ben’s show. Joss might be able to explain it to me.
Last night changed everything. Hopefully for the better, and I’m sure that somehow, we’ll make it all work.
