Jules was as woo-woo as they came. She loved all the horoscope, dream stuff so I was certain she had an opinion on it.
“Obviously it has to do with my career. I know where I need to be but just can’t get there.”
I laughed. “Obviously.”
“So what was yours?”
“Uh, new topic.”
Jules’s laugh was as deep and hearty as her personality. “That spicy, huh?”
“Beyond spicy. Honestly, it’s like he woke up some part of me I didn’t even know existed. At this point, if we don’t have sex, I’ll probably spend the rest of my life wondering what it would have been like.”
She said nothing to that. In fact, it wasn’t until we were a few blocks from the bed and breakfast that we talked about Beck again after I glanced at my phone for the umpteenth time and Jules mumbled something about me having it bad.
“I’m so nervous. It feels like I’m pretending to be something I’m not.”
“Mae, you silly girl. You are an award-winning pastry chef. Ellie knows full well you don’t have a business yet. Don’t pretend, just be honest. You can always hear what she has to say and then quote her later. Just give her a good discount for being your first customer.”
“Got it,” I said as she pulled up. “You coming in?”
Jules looked around. “I’m just gonna circle the block since there’s no parking.”
“What about up there?”
“Looks like a handicap.”
I didn’t see any blue lines. Was it me or was Jules acting strange?
“Go, if I find a spot I’ll be in. Good luck.”
“Thanks,” I said, grabbing my purse. I got out, looked up to the house, took a deep breath, and climbed the steps. Sure enough, Ellie was there to greet me, standing in the exact spot she was before.
“Well, hello there,” she said warmly. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too.” I went to shake her hand but Ellie surprised me by going in for a hug instead. Okay then, a hug it was.
“Thank you for coming up on such short notice.”
I’d wondered about that, at first. Why we couldn’t do this over the phone. Probably a generational thing. Plus, it wasn’t that far, and she was my first official customer.
“My pleasure.”
I waited for her to take the lead.
“Before we talk details, would you mind taking a look upstairs? I’ve been thinking about adding a tea and pastry service up there on weekends, and I’d love your thoughts on the space.”
I loved the idea. “Of course.”
“So we’ve booked a rehearsal party, and they’re interested in a brunch,” she said as we walked up the stairs. A tug in my chest reminded me of that night. How quickly things had changed. One little kiss, and my life had turned upside down.
And I’d do it again.
“The bride is the daughter of a winery on Seneca, and they want to go all out. No expense spared, in their words.”
I had ideas already.
“When is it?” I asked, a familiar hallway looming ahead of us.
