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Sheila pulls away and smiles. "That's why you are going to call Brett tomorrow morning. You're going to let him spoil you for a change." She places a kiss on my cheek and then opens the car door for me. "You need it, Sis. Believe me."
Stepping back, she looks into my eyes and gives my shoulder a comforting squeeze.
"It's okay to ask for help, Denise," she reminds me. "Even Mom knew she couldn't do everything alone. She wasn't Superwoman. Please don't forget that."
* * *
When I get backto the bungalow twenty minutes later, I'm exhausted. But Sheila's words about self-care still linger in my mind.
As much as it annoys me to admit it, she's right. I need to spoil myself more often.
I head into the bathroom and decide to take a long "everything shower" as Sophia calls them. I condition my hair, scrub my skin until it's soft and pink, and let the hot water wash away all the drama from the day.
When I finally step out, I'm feeling refreshed and re-energized. So I wrap myself in a fluffy white towel.
And then, I text Brett.
Hey. Change of plans. I think I just might take you up on your offer.
Brett responds almost immediately.
Evening, beautiful. Sounds good to me. Text me a list and I'll buy what you need. Mar will swing by your place tomorrow to pick you up.
My heart races as I read his words.
Same address as before?
Maybe Lisa and Sheila are right. Maybe Brett really is into me.
Just as I'm about to respond, the phone rings. It's the call I've been waiting for.
"Hey, Austin," I answer. "Thanks so for returning my call."
My brother replies in a curt voice. "I saw your text this morning. What did you want to talk about?"
Asshole.
A sour taste builds in the back of my throat. "I wanted to talk about the bakery."
The last time Austin and I spoke was last summer after our mother's funeral. It was at the reading of the will.
Everyone had been expecting my mom to leave the bakery to Austin. Austin had been in the real estate business since he'd graduated from college, and Sugar Breeze would have been a prize property to receive. At least if he got it, he could shine it up again and send it on to someone who hopefully shared my mother's vision for it, who could keep her alive in her place of business for generations to come.
But when the will was read, Austin's name wasn't the one that was called. He wasn't the one chosen by our mother to take over the Sugar Breeze.
To everyone's surprise, I was.
"You want to talk about the bakery?" Austin asks, echoing me. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine," I say automatically. Then, taking a deep breath, I make myself tell the truth. "Well...actually, things have been a little rough."
Austin snorts. "I'm sure they have been rough, given your abysmal lack of business experience. What's going on?"
"Too much to go over all of it. But, um…." Another deep breath. "I'd like to ask you for help," I say.
Another pause. Finally, he says. "I'm not really sure how I can help you, Denise."
I take the deepest breath yet. Saying this one is going to really hurt. But I remember Sheila's words.
