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Chapter EighteenI stepped outside of the kitchen, into the alleyway between my building and the shop next door, debating whether I should call Eric or not. It had been a few days since our date and I hadn’t heard a word from him, even though we’d exchanged numbers and he’d said he would call. Though when he’d dropped me off that night, something was off. He hadn’t walked me to my door. Which was really a bummer because I’d had this entire kissing montage scene worked out in my head that included me being picked up and pushed against the door. It was a five-star scene. But instead he only kissed my cheek and whispered goodbye.
I rubbed my abdomen. There was a knot in my stomach the size of Delaware. Something felt off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Maybe Josie was right, I had been ghosted and I needed to leave well enough alone. Except I didn’t feel well being left alone. It wasn’t like I was a needy person who needed a man. I’d lived my entire life without one and had planned to keep it that way. For the curse’s sake, I had to. Although, with Eric I felt like there were other possibilities. It didn’t help that I was having dreams about him where he promised me he could set me free. He told me he loved me. Did dreams ever really come true?
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and ran my thumb across the screen, telling myself not to be one of those women who desperately threw themselves at someone who clearly didn’t want them. I thought, on the riverbank, that his kiss had said he wanted all of me. Perhaps I was mistaken, as I had very limited relationship experience. Though I had observed many relationships in the last few years of doing wedding cakes, and even without my special ingredients, I had a knack for knowing who would stay together and who should call it quits.
I pressed my back against the brick wall and sighed. I tapped the first two digits of his number when, from the corner of my eye, I swore I saw someone. I looked down the alley, near the garbage cans. “Hello?” I squinted, trying to get a better look. Great, I was seeing things in the shadows again. I rolled my eyes at myself and did something to make me feel equally as stupid—I called Eric. When his phone started ringing, I swore I heard a phone buzzing. I looked around and still didn’t see anyone. To be safe I moved toward the other end of the alley into the light and near the sidewalk.
Eric didn’t answer, which wasn’t surprising. I quickly debated whether to leave a message. Before I knew it, I was speaking. “Hey, it’s me. Sorrel. In case you don’t recognize my voice. I just wanted to say that I was thinking of you. I feel like we left things on a weird note Tuesday night. Did I snore when I fell asleep on you? I did warn you.” I laughed nervously. “Anyway, I’ll be doing weddings most of the weekend, but if you’re not busy, maybe on Sunday night we could get together. It could just be to talk. I would love to hear more about your days in Prague. Honestly, I would love to hear anything you have to say. Okay, now I’m rambling. I hope you have a good day. Bye.”
I hung up and tapped my phone against my forehead. I was such an idiot. He for sure wasn’t calling back after that ridiculous message. I didn’t have time to dwell on my stupidity.
Mateo popped his head out the side door. “Bonita, come quick. There’s someone here to see you.”
For half a second my heart fluttered. “Eric?”
Mateo shook his head and gave me a look of pity. At least I wasn’t annoying him by playing “Endless Love” on repeat.
“No. It’s Rhonda Willis; her baby’s sick.”
I rushed back in. Rhonda was a single mother who had no health insurance and lived in a glorified shack on the edge of town. I’d been to see her on many occasions to drop off food and “medicine.”
When I made it into the bakery, I found Rhonda by the entrance with her three-year-old Isaiah clinging to her legs wearing dirty clothes that were two sizes too big. Her baby girl, just under a year old, was crying against her shoulder. Several customers were staring at her, unkindly, I might add. The poor woman with frazzled ebony hair and bags under her eyes felt the stares and cowered in a corner. I ran around the counter and jogged over to her.
I immediately took the baby and bounced her, trying to soothe her. “Why don’t we go up to my apartment?” I suggested.
