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Things were good when Casey and I were naked or eating, otherwise it was a disaster waiting to happen.
“Let me go let Ryan know he and Titus can now watch that monster truck movie since I have plans.”
“Or you can stay here and snuggle up with him like you know you both want.” I blinked at my words. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
Persy laughed. “Because you and everyone else in town seem to think Ryan and I are more than just friends. You’re wrong, but it’s good that you remembered.”
“Even if it annoys you?”
She nodded. “Especially if it annoys me. That’s what friends are for.” She flung an arm around my shoulder and grinned. “Come on. You can tell me what perfect Casey did to piss you off before the girls arrive.”
“Oh, shit. Casey. I need to tell him I won’t be home.”
“Perfect, I’ll go say goodbye to Ryan and Titus.”
As soon as I was alone, I pulled out my phone and stared at Casey’s handsome face smiling back at me, because I was one of those people who had cutesy couple pictures as my lock screen. The idea of calling him, hearing his deep sexy voice, was appealing, but I knew it would just lead into another fight. I shot off a text instead. “Good enough.”
At The Outpost, I nursed an oversized margarita and promised I’d drink lots of water when my glass was empty.
“Persy said you’re finally taking Sweet Treats to the next level.” Teddy set her serious gaze on me. “It’s about damn time.”
“Agreed,” Hannah said with a wide grin. “Now I can just have those stuffed croissants delivered while I work and my ass will get so big that I never find a boyfriend.”
“Feel free to do your part by sending treats to us at the hospital,” Gus told Hannah. “Casey must be so excited. I’m surprised you two aren’t celebrating.”
All eyes turned to me expectantly and I shrugged. “Casey is feeling, conflicted, I guess, about everything.” I shook my head and reached for my drink, draining the rest of it faster than was wise.
The girls all tried to reassure me but I didn’t listen because they only saw the outside of our relationship, the shiny happy part. I knew the truth.
A flash of memory appeared before my eyes. Me and an older woman.
“These are the keys to our little bakery kingdom,” the woman said to me.
“Essie, you’re giving me the keys to Sweet Treat? Why?”
Essie flashed a wide smile, her soft wrinkled skin paper thin. “You are the only person in the family who loves this place as much as I do, and I don’t want Jen and Bob leaving it to some corporate drone to run. I want you to have it.”
My smile was so wide my face hurt. “This is too much, Essie.”
“Nonsense,” she insisted and wrapped both of her hands around mine. “Everyone in town scoffed at the idea that little Essie of the famous Jackson family would want to do something as pedestrian as run a bakery, but I loved it, being in the kitchen and creating delicious things that brought a smile to people’s faces.”
I laid my head on Essie’s shoulder as we walked around the bakery, listening to her speak. “That’s it exactly. Seeing the way their faces light up after just one bite, it’s kind of intoxicating, isn’t it?”
“It’s a wonderful way to bring joy to people’s lives. Who knew it would become so addicting?” Essie laughed to herself. “The hours I spent at home in the kitchen coming up with new recipes, I was so happy.”
“Essie, this is too kind. You should talk to the family first.”
She frowned at me. “You are family, dear, by every definition but blood. Now take the keys and say thank you. Then we’ll go over the books.”
I pulled away and smiled at Casey’s grandmother before I wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you, Essie.”
Back at The Outpost, tears formed in my eyes as I thought about spending every day of those last few months with Essie. She taught me bookkeeping, how to order inventory, best hiring practices, and pretty much everything I would need to know to run the bakery on my own.
I listened to my friends talk and catch up on their lives while my mind raced, thinking of a way to honor Essie’s gift, her legacy and the great life she led as she walked her own path in life.
Casey
“Going out with the girls. See you later.”
Later. Like I was just some old friend she ran into on the streets and not her husband. Her oldest, closest friend in the world. Megan was mad. Really mad. I might go so far as to say she was pissed as hell, and now she was avoiding me rather than fight it out.
