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“Not the point. But I have some news that will benefit us both and our little cupcake.” He clasps my hands in his.
My gaze meets his with curiosity.
“I’ve found a buyer for the bakery. We can pay off your debt from your ex and still have plenty left over for living expenses and the baby.”
“You sold the bakery?” My heart drops and I tug my hands from his. This was the last thing I was expecting him to tell me.
“I did. But it’s for us and our new family. I did this for us.” There’s a pleading tone to his voice.
“But you don’t understand. This bakery is all I’ve ever known. This was a dream. I was to take over the bakery from your mom after she retired and now all of that is gone. My dream is gone. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now!” Speckles of light dance behind my eyelids. I frantically glance around, needing something to focus on.
“Shit. I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” His voice soft now.
After a long pause, I respond, “Of course you didn’t. You were never supposed to be part of the plan.” I rest a hand on my stomach. “This baby was never supposed to be part of the plan. Della's passing away was never part of the plan. Every time I’m so close to my dreams, I get thrown back ten feet. Each time, it gets harder and harder to crawl my way to the start again.” I fight back the tears, but I’ve reached my breaking point, and everything collapses. My hands fly to cover my face as a sob shudders through my body.
Van wraps his arms around me and pulls me into the crook of his arm. As much as I’m sad about losing the bakery, I need Van more. I need him like I’ve ever needed anyone. I press my cheek to his chest.
“I wish I could rewind the past twenty-four hours. I would have never taken the deal. Are you mad at me?”
I sniffle and run my fingers along the underside of my eyes to wipe away the moisture. I exhale a long huff. “No, Van. It’s fine. It’s your bakery and you have every right to sell it. I just wish…you didn’t.” He continues to hold me tight, and I let him. Not only for him, but for me.
“This was the best option to make sure you were taken care of.”
“Look Van, I admire your incessant need to take care of me, but you don’t have to. I’m not some damsel in distress that needs saving.”
“You’re right. You don’t need saving, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to take care of you. Take care of our family.” Van turns and rests his hands on the worktable and bows his head. “My dad left when I was a kid. Left my mom with nothing. Growing up, I watched my mom struggle. She wanted to give me the world but couldn’t afford it. When I found out Josie was pregnant, I needed do everything to make sure they didn’t go through what my mom did.”
I inch closer. His muscles tense beneath my palm that rests between his shoulder blades. He tilts his head. “You wanted to give them everything.”
He nods but doesn’t fully lift his head. “I worked my ass off to make that happen, and then it was all for nothing. Then you told me you’re pregnant and all those same emotions smacked me like a tidal wave. Except, this time with a lot more uncertainty, so I did what I thought was right for you and the baby.”
“Van, look at me.” I grip his shoulders and twist him, forcing him toward me. “You’re a good man, Van Bailey. Don’t think otherwise. Your mom would be proud of the man you’ve become. I’m sorry. Everything between us has happened so fast. We haven’t had much time to fully get to know each other. But moving forward we need to talk to each other more. Work things out together. As a team. As a family.”
Moisture collects in the corner of his eyes, and he nods. I wrap my arms around him, crushing him to my chest. He wraps his arms around my shoulders and holds tight. We stand there for several seconds, wrapped in each other’s arms, neither of us saying anything. Letting our touch be the glue that holds us together. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such a kind, caring, compassionate man, but I’m never letting him go.
Van pulls away and glances around the kitchen. “We’ve had some good times in this bakery.”
I move to stand next to him and rest my head on his arm. “Some of the best I’ve ever had. Our little cupcake was conceived right here on this worktable.”
I run my hand along the smooth surface. After I had some time to think about it, it hit me. The most probable chance of it happening was after I got sick. I must have thrown up my pill and that disrupted my entire cycle. Since we weren’t using any other form of protection, the night after the wedding was the next time we had sex.
“We could reenact that moment. You know, for old time’s sake.” He winks.
I slap my hand against his chest and release a laugh. “Of course you would say that. Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“Damn. You’re on to me. I might have to switch up my tactics to keep you on your toes.”
“Oh, believe me, you’re still full of surprises.” I step away, stop, and whirl around. “By the way, who made you an offer on the bakery?”
“Jasper. Elliot Jasper.”
As soon as I hear his name, my heart stops. Once the shock dissipates, all I see is red. “That son of a bitch.”
“Who is he? What did he do?” Van’s eyebrows knit together.
“He owns a bakery in town. Cake and Crumbs Bakery. He’s been after your mom’s bakery for as long as I’ve worked here, probably longer.” Van stares at me dumbfounded. “Every time he gave her an offer, Della told him over her dead body. Well, I guess he finally got what he wanted.”
Van blows out a breath. “Wow. I got played.”
