I donned a fake smile, greeted everyone who had come, and engaged in small talk until I found the opportunity to sneak away. I needed to make sure my mate, the omega I loved, was okay.
Chapter Twelve
Utahn
Bed rest. How was I supposed to manage that? I put my apron on then headed to the front of the bakery to open. Surprisingly, I had a couple of customers waiting outside. Afleron and Lamen, whom I hadn’t seen in a while. After I served them, I set to work in the kitchen, putting the villapers in the oven to bake and then icing the lebuts which were now cool enough.
Sure, I had some help throughout the week, which gave me more time to rest, but I couldn’t spend an entire day in bed, expecting someone else to run the bakery. I felt bad depending on others as it was. Especially when business was slow. Yet, that was what my doctor had threatened me with at my appointment this morning. The return of being sick, the swelling of my face, and my elevated blood pressure were not good signs. And if they got worse by my next appointment, my doctor would make sure I was on strict bed rest, even if she had to admit me to the medical center.
I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do when I had this baby. All my attempts at finding new staff had failed. Vawn worked at the bakery one day a week, and my parents came in for another two, but I was never completely off my feet those days. There was always something to do. And it was easier to stay on the main floor once I got there than to climb up to my apartment.
Another couple of customers from the neighborhood came in, each purchasing a variety box for a family get-together. Financially, it was nice to have a steady flow of customers for a change, but that didn’t keep me off my feet.
I managed to prepare all the goeph for tomorrow and sell out the contents of all but one of my display cases with an hour left before closing time.
The door opened, and I waved hello to the new customer. One I didn’t recognize. The omega wore a flower-print button-down shirt tucked into black leggings, with black heels. His hair was long but brushed over to one side, covering half his face. A look I hadn’t seen anyone wear since my teen years, but to each their own.
He eyed the display case as if looking for some kind of clue to a crime.
“Is there something I can get for you?” New customers were a good thing. They often recommended what they liked to others.
“Uh, yeah. You can tell me how much those pitifully small lebuts are.”
My pulse quickened, and my stomach tightened. No one had ever complained about my pastries being small. I often heard the opposite. “They are twenty credits each.” I tried to remain polite but wasn’t sure how well I succeeded.
“That’s ridiculous!” The omega smacked the counter. “I can get bigger ones at the new place five blocks down for only fifteen credits.”
I eyed the customer, sure he was mistaken. “New bakery?” No one in the neighborhood had mentioned any new competition.
“Yeah. It held its grand opening today.” He crossed his arms with a smug look, seeming happy to be the one to share this news with me. “It’s owned by Nart Thompkins. You know, Werd’s mate? Surely, you remember Werd Thompkins.”
Ah, now I understood the purpose of this customer. He was sent to let me know my ex’s mate was now my competition. Strange that I had my busiest day in a while on their opening.
I sighed and rolled my eyes, trying to appear annoyed rather than worried. I didn’t want Werd to think he could still get to me. “Did you want anything?”
“Nah.” The omega backed away from the counter and headed to the door. “I like Nart’s pastries better anyway.”
Funny statement to make, considering he’d likely never had mine, but I held my tongue. At least until I was sure he’d left. Then I cried and screamed at the same time.Fuck!
That was why I’d seen neighbors in who hadn’t come for a while. They were trying to show their support. Sweet, but how long would it last? I made novelty items. Treats. Not anything my neighbors purchased on a regular basis. At least, not anymore. Maybe my dream wasn’t meant to be.
Feeling defeated and super tired, I closed the bakery for the day. I wiped down the kitchen, put the last of the dishes in the sanitizer then crawled up the stairs to my apartment. I had no energy to make dinner, didn’t even have an appetite, so I stripped my clothes off and climbed into bed.
Maybe I should stay on bed rest, close the bakery for good. It wasn’t as if I’d made a profit in the last month. It was time to give up.
I closed my eyes, tears slipping down my cheeks. Was there anything I could do right?
***
A shrill ring woke me straight up. I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep until I heard the noise. But, what was it?
I rolled over, seeing the glow from my comm unit. Someone was buzzing me. Stars, I forgot Genj was going to call tonight.
Reaching out to press the button to receive his video chat request, I answered it but left the lights on dim. Even naked, I was sure I looked a mess. “Hello?”
“Utahn? Are you okay? Where are you?”
I would have laughed at the concern etched into my mate’s features had I been more awake. “I’m fine. Just woke up. I’m not ready to turn the lights on yet.”
