The small boutique next door had relocated a few months before. We’d been itching to expand the bakery to a coffee shop with a small dining room, but we needed more space to do it, so we quickly contacted the owner of the building and started planning the expansion.
Big Earl was showing us the finalized blueprints of what our new coffee bar and dine-in area would look like and giving us a rundown of what to expect for the next three months. Aside from the noise aspect, we’d be running business as usual while the build-out took place.
“I’m estimating we’ll be ready to install the new cases and bar in about three weeks, but I’ll give you girls plenty of notice.” Big Earl flashed us a toothy grin as he outlined the rest of the renovation plans with Katie and me, but my mind kept traveling back to Cash and everything he’d said.
He was right. We did have the whole summer ahead of us to explore this connection and what it meant. But that’s exactly what worried me. What would happen at the end of the summer? Even if thiswasjust some fling, how would we ever really go back to normal?Well, Ella, don’t you think you already screwed the pooch on that when you slept with him?
I hated to admit it, but I had a point.
“Ella?” The sound of Katie’s voice snapped me to attention to find her and Big Earl staring at me.
“You look overwhelmed.”Oh, Big Earl. You have no idea.He gave me a sympathetic look. “I know any kind of expansion is a big deal. You’re probably a little uneasy about making such a big change, but sometimes the right path isn’t the easiest one. That’s what my Mama always told me.”
“She sounds like a wise woman.” Why did it feel like Big Earl was talking directly to my soul about things that had nothing to do with countertops or paint swatches?
“Don’t you worry, darlin’. Big Earl has everything under control. I’ll have everything right as rain in no time.” He gave me a reassuring pat on the back.
Will you, Big Earl? Because right now I’m looking at you but all I see is Cash… the slight wave of his hair, his hazel eyes and strong arms, his firm chest, his hard di—
“Right.” I shook my head, trying to remove the thoughts threatening to take over my entire life. “That’s great. Thanks, Big Earl.”
“No problem, sweetheart,” Big Earl said. “I’m going to get out of your hair, but the crew and I will be back at the end of the week to get started.”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Thanks, Big Earl,” Katie called after him, and he tossed a wave over his shoulder before shoving his way out the door of the bakery. Katie turned her attention to me, narrowing her eyes. “Are you alright?”
“I guess I’m just out of sorts with Grace leaving this morning.” That was at leastpartiallytrue.
“I know it’s going to be weird without her, but she’ll be back before you know it.” Katie moved behind the counter, and I followed her, watching as she straightened up the pastry cases. “Have you talked to Liv?”
“Not really,” I said. “I’ve been giving her some time. I figured they probably needed a couple of days to get the kids settled in.”
“Yeah, that’s why I haven’t called either,” Katie admitted. “How did your wedding date go? I feel like I didn’t see you guys together after Jax and Liv left.”
“That’s because he left.” I busied myself by wiping down the countertops. “He was more interested in his phone than he was in me,andhe gets up earlyon purposeto do things like go hiking. It was clearly not meant to be.”
“I’m sorry, girl.” Katie frowned. “I wish I’d been there for you. I was so tired I asked Dallas if he’d mind taking me home.”
I grinned. “And I’m sure he gladly obliged.” I was fairly certain the only people who didn’t know that Dallas and Katie loved each other were Dallas and Katie.
“Anyway, what did you and Grace get into after the wedding?”
“Actually, Grace had a sleepover with her friend, and I…” My stomach did a cartwheel. “I, uh… I—”
Katie squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself against the counter before opening them again.
I placed a hand on her arm, and as I looked at her more closely, I noticed dark circles under her eyes. “Are you okay, Katie Bug?”
“I’ve just been getting a little dizzy here and there, and I think I need to get my eyes checked. My vision has gotten so blurry lately.”
“You’re also overworked and stressed out,” I added, feeling a twinge of guilt. “I know we just hired those two new girls as our B Team to help prep and cashier, but I think we need to seriously consider hiring you more help in the kitchen.”
“You’re right.” Katie sighed. “I just dread having to train someone else. Those new girls are sweet as can be but slow as molasses. I feel like I’m working twice as hard because I constantly have to go behind them. I’m sorry, Ella. I’m not trying to complain. I guess I really am stressed out.”
I squeezed her shoulder. “I know you are, and I’m sorry I’ve not been more proactive in getting more staff in here. I’ve been dragging my feet, probably because I’ve been a little in denial about all of the changes happening lately. But I have the whole summer to do nothing but focus on the business.”And think about how sexy Cash’s forearms are. Who knew forearms could be so fucking hot?
“You’ve had a lot going on,” Katie said. “I know it’s a lot of change, but sometimes change is good.”
