Page 88 of Sterling Fight

Stay with me a little longer.

I don’t know how that would work and it’s not something I can tackle yet.

When I enter the Curmudgeon Bakery, I hadn’t considered Sebastian Sylver might be present as the owner and head baker of this small-town establishment. He does a double take upon seeing me and greets me before I reach the display counter.

“Hey, Genie.” Sebastian wipes his hands on the apron tied around his waist. “What can I get you?”

The bakery is bustling but I’m quick to spot what I’d hoped he’d have at the ready.

“I’ll take one of those.” I point at a vanilla cupcake with a thick swirl of white frosting on top plus an overload of confetti sprinkles. “To go, please.”

“Birthday cake cupcake, coming up.” Sebastian retrieves the delicacy and gingerly sets it in a plastic container.

“Is it your birthday?” His tone is all tease.

When I don’t answer, he glances up, catching me chewing on my lower lip. His expression turns stern. “If it’s your birthday, why are you buying one cupcake? Better question is, why isn’t Judd picking this up?”

I hold the intensity of Sebastian’s stare only so long before I sheepishly glance to the side. “Uhm. He doesn’t know it’s my birthday.”

Sebastian folds his arms over his chest and narrows his eyes. He looks like a man who has led a hard life before turning into a big softy for bakery items, and his wife and children. His jaw ticks once before he says, “You and Judd keeping birthdays from one another for some reason?”

I won’t admit I don’t know when Judd’s birthday is, so I shrug. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Every birthday is a big deal.” Sebastian continues to eye me, as if reading the truth. “Even if it isn’t the happiest.”

He’s guessed correctly. My birthday doesn’t hold the fondest of memories. The date is a reminder of one of my biggest mistakes.

“How much do I owe you?” I ask, while retrieving my wallet from my bag.

“Happy Birthday.” Sebastian slides the plastic container closer to me, implying this is his gift.

“Thanks,” I whisper, picking up the package. I turn toward the door and then turn back to Sebastian, needing one more favor from him. “Promise me you won’t tell Judd.”

Sebastian tips up his chin. “Not good at keeping secrets anymore. They cause too much trouble.”

From what I’ve learned, Sebastian knows a thing or two about trouble, so I won’t ask him to go against his principles.

Instead, I nod and leave.

When I arrive at a roadside scenic viewpoint, I take a seat on the short stone wall lining the gravel parking spaces. Taking a deep breath, I glance out at the mountain view. The forest is awake in a variety of vibrant greens. The air is crisp with the scent of pine and wood and the fresh scent of something bursting from the earth. Life is blooming all around me.

With no one else present, I’m able to hold a private conversation with the trees.

“It’s my birthday, Dad. The big four-oh.” Still in its container, I hold the cupcake in my lap and stare down at the generous swirl of frosting. “I think you’d be proud of me. I’ve accomplished so much.”

I reflect on attending business school and taking art classes on the side, finding my true passion and a place for my quirky girl designs and my love of organization. At least, the organization of dates.

“Big day today,” I whisper. “But an even bigger date is coming.” The potential sale of my company. For twelve years, I’ve been my own boss, and it’s been rewarding in so many ways. My time is mine. My schedule, too. However, I don’t know what’s next, or at least, how to handle working beneath others again as I will no longer fully be in charge. I’ll be a creative designer, and nothing more. The idea is bittersweet.

“Anyway, I just wanted to share the news,” I explain.

And tell you, again, how sorry I am, Daddy.

Sorry that you aren’t here. That you didn’t see me march to my own beat.

“I met someone,” I announce to the trees because my dad isn’t buried in one place. His ashes were dust in the wind over this peak. “You’d really like him.” I swallow hard. “For me.”

Judd is patient and kind. He respects me and defends me. He wants me on some level, cherishing me when we’re together. Maybe, he even thinks of me when we’re apart.