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“My parents are going to buy a building in Newport.”
“Okay. Cool. I don’t know what this has to do with me.” She was more curious what was going on in the amphitheater than in Ian’s family’s life.
“It’s in a prime location. You can have a bakery on the street level and an apartment on top.”
Whoa. He’d said the magic words.You can have a bakery. “What’re you talking about?” A zing streaked from her chest down to the soles of her feet.
“We’re giving you the entire building rent-free until you and your family recover what I took from you. And you keep all the profit.”
“You realize this is your parents cleaning up your mess, right?” Six weeks ago, she might’ve been excited. But now, she almost didn’t want the option.
She didn’t want a reason to go back home.
“I do. But it’s the best thing I can come up with. And it’s good because it’s an upscale neighborhood, so you can open a Renzo’sandsell your pastries. It’s the best of all worlds.”
“I appreciate the offer.” The audience was chanting. Weirdly, it sounded likeSinging Baker, Singing Baker, Singing Baker.“But I don’t know—”If I’m going to come back or not. Yeah, that wasn’t something she’d tell Ian. That conversation went to her parents. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with the idea of your parents buying me a building. I have to think about it.”
“I figured you’d say that. Just know I’m sorry for stealing from you and your parents. I can’t explain it other than to say I got carried away. I guess, you know, I got greedy, and I lost myself. Iwillmake it up to you however I can.” He went quiet, and she could almost feel his remorse from thousands of miles away. “I hate myself for what I’ve done.”
She was surprised, but it did help her let go of some of the anger and resentment. “Well, I appreciate that.”
The truck door flew open, and Jeremy jumped out, missing the stairs completely. “Why aren’t you going?” He pointed to the stage. “She’s calling you.”
“Who’s calling me?”
“Lorelei. Can’t you hear her?”
“Why’s she callingme?”
Jeremy looked like he wanted to throttle her.
“Okay, okay. Ian, I have to go.”
“What’s going on?”
“I have no idea.” She grabbed her dinner and hurried to the truck.
“Grace Giordano.” Lorelei’s voice boomed through the speakers. “Get your golden pipes up here.”
“She’s been calling you for ten minutes.” Jeremy snatched her insulated bag. “It’sLorelei Calloway.”
Ben poked his head out the door of the truck. “Why aren’t you going?”
“Because I don’t know what she wants from me. Why wouldIgo on stage?”
“She wants you to do a duet.” Jeremy waved frantically. “Go.”
“She wants me to sing?”What on earth is she thinking?Just as she started off, Ben called, “The apron!”Oh. Shaking her head, she untied it and pulled it off. “Be right back. Oh, and take the chocolate caramel tarts off the chalkboard. We’re all out.” Grace wove in and out of the picnic blankets and stadium chairs. With so many people, she had to move carefully while keeping up her pace.
“Here she is,” someone called.
And from that moment on, the crowd was clapping and nudging her along.
This is ridiculous. I’m not singing with Lorelei Calloway in front of all these people.
As she neared, someone directed her to the stairs at the side of the stage. They already had a mic stand set up for her.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
