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“Ryan, you’re going to nail it. I swear. You’re going to sell a ton of muffins and pastries, and all of your neighbors are going to put in cake orders for the week. You’re going to have more than you know what to do with, I guarantee it.”
“Ugh, okay. I gotta go. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck.”
“No, tell me to break a leg or something.”
“I think that’s just for show business.”
I rolled my eyes when he missed the point. “Well, say it anyway, just in case.”
“Break a leg, Ryan. Knock ‘em dead.”
“Great! I will. I mean, I don’t actually want to break a leg, or kill anyone accidentally, but what I mean is—”
The connection went dead, the annoying buzz telling me Reid had hung up already. Though, I’d bet money it was Riley. Anyway, I got the assurance I needed, and it was going to be alright. Now, if I could just pick out the right shade of khaki…
Before I could choose, my phone rang again. Carson’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hello?”
“Stop freaking out and just breathe.”
“Did Reid call you?”
“No,” he laughed. “Why would he? I just wanted to call and tell you that you are incredible and your baked goods are incredible and your cart looks incredible. Don’t forget to have breakfast. You’ll be too busy to eat once the morning rush begins.”
“Good thinking. I knew there was a reason why I loved you.”
“There better be a few good reasons,” he growled. “Wear the dark khakis, the darker shade hides dirt better.”
“It’s like you can read my mind.”
“That sounds scary. See you soon, Boytoy. Break a leg.”
I hung up and yanked my darkest pair of khakis from the hanger and grabbed a blue button-down because it matched the color of my logo on my apron. As I sat down to tie my shoes, I marveled at how lucky I was to have people in my life that knew me so well.
After weeks of paper-pushing, permits, insurance, and back-and-forth changes with the carpenter I hired to construct my bakery stand, I was ready. Opening day was finally here. I felt so nervous I was afraid I might actually forget the name of my own business, or the varieties of muffins I was selling.
After the condo association posted about my grand opening in the neighborhood blog, I was expecting a big turnout. I couldn’t ride the elevator, or walk through the lobby, or even park my car in the parking lot, without one of my neighbors asking me about the business and what I might be selling or putting their orders in ahead of time.
And it felt…incredible.
I honestly thought this was something I would always dream about but never see to fruition. But I had, because of Carson, and because he inspired me to be stronger and chase my dreams. And that right there, having a man like that by my side? That was the only dream that really mattered most to me. Because with him, I could dream a thousand dreams, and they would all come true.
Just as Itied my apron, a line began to form. The coffee and tea were brewing, and I was officially open for business!
“Hi, Mrs. Steadham. Welcome to The Sugar Rush. What can I get you?”
I filled order after order until the morning rush died down, and it wasn’t until Carson appeared across my counter that I realized I had been too busy to remember to be nervous.
“Hey, sugar baby. Got a steamy latte for me?”
“Hey! I’m doing it, Cary! It’s going awesome!”
“Just like I knew it would.”
As I filled his caramel latte, two more familiar faces appeared. Reid and Riley pushed through the double glass doors of my lobby.
