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“Can I sit?” she asks.
“Of course, you own the place.” I laugh.
“I wish. Not quite.” Her smile falters.
I gasp and lean toward her, lowering my voice. “What’s going on? Did Mr. Parodi change his mind?”
Her beautiful face falls and I immediately have the urge to hug my friend. I hate seeing my friends upset.
“A pastry chef his nephew knows popped up last week asking about buying the café. Mr. Parodi told me he still wants to sell it to me, but he has to do his due diligence and entertain the chef.”
“But you’ve worked so hard and you really turned this place around. This place wouldn’t be where it’s at today without you, Hazel.” I reach out and squeeze her hand.
“I know. And Parodi knows that. But I don’t have a fancy culinary degree. I’m just self-taught.”
Narrowing my brows, I don’t see why that’s an issue. I’ve met John Parodi several times and he’s a free spirit, everyone deserves a chance kinda guy. “Did he say the experience was a factor?”
“Well, no, but I just know it will be.” She sighs, her shoulders sagging.
“Chin up, Hazel, and remember, grab life by the horns and sweep the legs.”
My advice hits correctly and she snorts, then covers her mouth and giggles.
“You’re a hoot, Layla.”
Daintily lifting a shoulder, I cock my head. “You’re welcome, darling.”
“Don’t hate me for saying this, but you are so much like Ruth sometimes, it’s scary,” she says.
I bark out a laugh. “The world can only handle one Ruth Ann James, but I wouldn’t want to be like anyone else.”
“She’s been on my case about matching me,” Hazel says.
“Girl. She’s on everyone’s case.” I lift my plastic reusable cup to my lips. “I’d be worried about her if she wasn’t.”
“True. Once I get this whole café thing worked out, I’ll consider her offer.”
I study her and offer a serious response. “Hazel, you will own this café someday. And if you don’t, you’ll start from scratch and build something epically sweet.”
“I know you’re right. But I don’t want to start from scratch. My heart is set on Sweet Wave.”
“I know,” I reassure her.
She shakes off her sadness and smiles. “I came over here to tell you we have a new cupcake. My take on a snickers cake. I’ve got it chilling in the kitchen. You want one before I plate them and add them to the case?”
“Oh, duh. You don’t ever have to ask.” I lift my hand and make a give me gesture with my hand.
She chuckles and stands from the table. “You got it, girly.”
She weaves through the tables and smiles and stops to chat with an older couple. I can’t help smiling as I look at how cute the couple are as they sit, holding hands, smiling up at Hazel. I might not be able to tell how long they have been in love, but I can tell they are mad about each other. That kind of love out in the world makes me giddy with happiness.
Pulling my gaze away from the couple, I glance down at my computer again as I see an email pop into my inbox. It’s from Ruth, also known as Grams when I’m not at work.
Skimming it, I see she’s requesting to push back a meeting we have scheduled early next week due to a new client meeting. Not a big deal, but now I’m curious who her new client is as she doesn’t take on many new clients these days. While we bring on about ten new clients a month, she hand-picks one, possibly two a month. Which is fine. She’s earned it.
HEA, Inc. may be my business, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. If we allow our client base to grow more than it is, I may need to bring on another matchmaker, but it would have to be a perfect fit, that is if Ruth wasn’t interested in taking on more clients.
Clicking over to her calendar, I pull up the day in question and look at her calendar.
