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I hear a door shut and see Diane heading down the hall to me. “Mr. Whitmore—nice to have you back.”
Seeing Diane’s smile is a comfort and if there’s any one person other than Shane that I trust in this office it’s her. “Diane, I need you to cancel my meetings for tomorrow.”
Diane sits down at her computer and starts clicking. “Sure Mr. Whitmore. I’ll do it right now. Is everything okay?”
I grin from ear-to-ear, “Yes, everything is wonderful actually, but I could use your help.”
Diane raises her eyebrows intrigued by my plea for help. I tap my finger on her desk and clear my throat. “Can you book a reservation at Lossaro’s for tomorrow at seven p.m. Make it for six people please.”
Diane returns her attention to her computer pressing her lips together. I can tell she’s trying not to smile. She looks at the computer and back to me. “Sure can. Investor meeting?”
I let out a small laugh, “No, family dinner.”
I can tell she’s doing the math in her head as she’s made these reservations for me plenty of times before. I give her a few moments when she asks, “Oh, extra company this week?”
I nod. “Yes, I’m taking Lacey with me.”
Without warning Diane stands, walks to me, and wraps her arms around my waist for a hug. I let out an audible ‘oompgh’which brings her arms back to her side as she steps away.
“Sorry Mr. Whitmore. I’m just so happy for you. I knew you two were going to be right for each other.”
Diane’s words warm my chest. “Thank you. I’ll see you Monday morning. Enjoy the weekend.”
She nods but holds up her finger giving me the sign to wait a second. I tilt my head curious at what she’s doing as she rustles under her desk. Within seconds she rises with a neatly wrapped package in her hand. “I made you another banana bread. Hopefully you liked it the first time?” she asks.
Oh, if she only knew. I reach out and take the bread from her hands. It weighs just as much as the first one but this bread has good memories already attached to it.
“Diane, this is the best banana bread I’ve ever had. Don’t change a thing about it.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, I’ll keep it just the way it is. Be sure to share some with Miss Lacey?”
I stifle a laugh deep inside. “I most certainly will.”
I leave my office, banana bread in hand and walk into HR. I sit with Amanda and go through all the details of Lacey and I dating, the project and David’s involvement. It was exhausting to explain, but as I finish getting it all out, a huge sense of relief washes over me. I sign my written statement and make the recommendation that David stay on as an employee. I thought I’d be more upset with him as I told the story to HR, but none of it matters now, because I have Lacey.
I can’t get back to the bakery fast enough. It has finally stopped raining and as I make my way across the bridge, I can see a rainbow streak across the sky just above the mountains. The perfect symbol for a perfect day.
Chapter twenty-nine
Lacey
I am both mentally and physically exhausted. I wait on a few customers that have braved the rain but as my legs start to ache, I take a seat at one of the tables. I want nothing more than to have dinner with Jared but thinking about the process of getting ready to go out is not something I’m in the mood for, so I grab my phone with a thought in mind.
Me: Hey! Have you and Shane had dinner yet?
Beth: Nope! You? Are things okay?
Me: Things are really good. Jared is coming back to the bakery and we were going to get dinner. But I kinda don’t want to go out. I’m exhausted.
Beth: You know what that means right?
Me: Well, I was hoping…
I can’t finish my text before Beth’s comes in.
Beth: We’ll get tacos and all the fixings from The Happy Avocado and we can eat at the bakery. See you in thirty minutes!
Me: You are the best.
