Mila
Iwish I was still mad at Kash, but after the other night, it's really hard to be. After heapologized, we stayed up late and talked for hours. It was different from all the other times we’ve just hung out. It’s starting to feel like we’re a real couple now. We had the ‘previous relationship’ talk, and he told me more about Bri. I knew bits and pieces from Cora and what I’ve overheard, but hearing it from him is different. He seemed remorseful about the whole thing, but I reminded him he wasn’t responsible for other people’s actions. Her smashing their shop and acting out wasn’t his fault. There was a reason he knew that a relationship with her wouldn't be a good idea.
Smiling, I mix together more batter for brownies. I still can’t look at them without blushing. Kate watches me but doesn’t say a lot. After our conversation, I still wonder about her. She seems so lonely; I wonder if she’d let me set her up with Rhett or Seth. They’ve been through some stuff, and though I don’t know their whole story, I know they are good men.
Pulling a pan of muffins from the oven, Kate slides them onto a rack to cool. “Those smell amazing. I don’t know how you’re not five hundred pounds. I swear I might have to start wearing leggings instead of real pants if I keep working here.” She laughs.
She’s not wrong. It’s hard to not sample every treat that comes out of the oven. The maple scones have always been my favorite, but now that the weather is shifting, I’ll probably start adding more lemon and citrus to the menu instead of savory flavors.
“You get used to it. Sometimes I make so many muffins or baked goods for orders that I get tired of even looking at them, let alone eating one.”
“That’s just blasphemy.” She shakes her head. “Looking at abrownie and not wanting to have one fresh from the oven? Nope. That’s practically a hostile work environment, Mila.”
Smiling, she opens her mouth to say something else, but is cut off when the door opens and Mara pops her head in. “Hey. How’s it going back here, little elves?”
“Really?” I scowl. “We’re still on the whole elf thing? You know they do other things besides bake cookies and stuff—which I don’t even really make much of anyway.” Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure the only cookies that ever sell are chocolate chip and snickerdoodle. Most people who come in grab muffins or cinnamon rolls. I wonder if I could make a lemon or orange roll for the new menu.
Deep in thought, I don’t realize Mara is talking until she waves her hands in front of me. “Hello. Earth to Mila Elf. Are you with me?”
Shoving her hands away, I glare. “Yes, oh powerful overlord. Just thinking about some things for the menu. I might have to do a trial run though.”
“Sounds fun. I feel like I never see or talk to you anymore now that you’re with Kash. Are you guys still a thing?”
Kate quietly works around us, refilling pans and washing dishes as she goes. I hate being happy, especially knowing that she’s so sad, missing someone who’s gone. On the other hand, I feel like I’m lucky to be at this point in my life. I have a successful business with my sister, plus a man who loves me more than I could ever imagine.
“Yeah. Kash and I are good. Really good.” I smile.
“Ew. Don’t make that face. It’s weird seeing you smile like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re in love or something.”
Not bothering to correct her, I turn to help Kate, but Mara grabs my arm and spins me around. “Mila. No. You can’t be in love with him. He’s... Kash. Goofball, ladies’ man extraordinaire, doesn’t take anything seriously.”
Pulling out of her grasp, I stare at her in disbelief. It’s like she doesn’t know him at all. “He’s not those things, Mara. Well, thegoofball yeah, but not the others. And so what if I love him? Kash is good to me; he makes me feel seen and wanted. I don’t expect you to understand; you hate everyone.”
“That’s not true.” A hurt expression crosses her face before she recovers.
“Isn’t it? When’s the last time you went out with anyone?”
“I don’t have to fill my time with useless dates, Mils. I’m perfectly happy alone.”
My heart fills with sadness for my sister. Mara may seem harsh to most people, and well, she can be, but she has a good heart, and I’ve seen what she does for those she cares about. One of her regulars is a teacher at a local school. She stops in most mornings for coffee and occasionally buys snacks for her students. Mara always slides her some extra treats because she’s heard one too many times about the kids who don’t have breakfast because their families can’t afford it.
“I know you say that, Mara, and maybe it’s true, but I believe everyone has a person meant for them. Kash is my person.”
Laughing, Mara shakes her head. “Mila, you’ve known him for five minutes.”
“I know enough, and I wish you’d respect that.”
Mara searches my face for a moment, not saying anything, then she sighs. “Alright, Mils. If you’re confident, then I’ll support you. But if it goes south...”
“Let me guess, you’ll kill him, right?”
Gasping with mock surprise, Mara puts her hands to her chest. “Why, Mila, however did you know?”
Joining us in laughter, Kate shakes her head. “You two are something else.”
