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“Dad, can we go?” Kendall stood next to the table, her hands on her hips.
Mark stood, and I did, too.
“It was really nice to meet you, Kendall. Please feel free to stop by anytime.” I paused, waiting for her response.
Mark gave her a pointed look, and she finally said, “Thank you.”
“What time on Sunday?” Mark asked me when Kendall moved toward the door, leaving us alone.
“Six.” Was it too late to rescind the invitation? Spending time with Mark in my childhood home would be more nostalgic than that dance in my kitchen.
“Can I bring anything?” Mark asked, his tone uncertain.
“Just yourselves.” My heart rate picked up as I wondered what my family would say.
Mark shifted on his feet. “Is it okay if I stop by one afternoon this week to measure for the shelves?”
When I didn’t answer right away, he hurriedly added, “I assume you’d want me to come in when it’s not as busy.”
“You don’t need to build me shelves.” I wasn’t sure I could handle him in my space. I could see him now with a thin layer of sawdust covering his worn jeans and a black T-shirt stretched tight over his biceps, a hammer in his hands. It was hot.
“You need them, and I have a lot of time on my hands.”
Something about his use of the wordhandshad me hot and bothered. “I could get someone to do it. Ethan from The Red Toolbox does projects like that.”
“If you were going to build them, you already would have done it with the other renovations,” Mark pointed out.
The other renovations had eaten up my limited budget.
Mark stepped closer, his eyes steady on mine. “Let me do this for you.”
I finally nodded. I couldn’t refuse because it was a nice thing to do. “Let me know what I owe you for supplies.”
He didn’t respond, so I wasn’t sure what to make of that.
“And right before close would be best. Does four work for you?”
“It’s perfect,” Mark said before he followed Kendall outside.
He was sweet and caring. Nothing had really changed since high school, except for my ability to sense that he’d leave when he decided this town was too small for him.
* * *
Later that day, Gia from Happily Ever Afters stopped by to go over the upcoming business plan she wanted to involve me in. She wanted to offer full-service packages to her guests that included the cake, photography, invitations, linens, tables, and silverware. It was a way to counteract the growing number of venues offering the package with their on-site wedding planner. It was a smart idea, and great for my business, too.
Recently, more bakers were selling cookies, cupcakes, and even wedding cakes out of their homes. Those businesses didn’t have the overhead I did with a physical space and employees. The arrangement guaranteed I’d get Gia’s clients. She’d handle most of the marketing.
Gia sat at a table with a water and a muffin to the side of her laptop. She turned the screen so I could see her spreadsheet.
She was always on the go, and I would be surprised if she took the time to drink or eat during this meeting.
Reading through the list, I recognized a few names. “Savannah and Ethan set a date?”
Gia smiled. “We’re handling the shower and the wedding.”
“Do they need cakes for the shower?”
“They do. I’d like you to come to the initial consultation with couples and then the cake tasting. My assistant can help with scheduling it.”
