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“Guess I didn’t need to worry after all,” he says, smiling a little.
I grin at him, running up to kiss him on the cheek, pulling him close. “Give me one minute. I just need to talk to Emily.”
“Sure.” He presses a quick kiss on my forehead and heads outside while I walk back toward my best friend.
“You and Lincoln Stirling?” she asks, her eyes wide. “I had no idea!”
I grin at her. “It’s a pretty recent development.”
“That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you.” Her smile falters slightly. “Is…Brett okay with this? I hope he didn’t give you a hard time.”
“Not at all. It was crazy how easily he accepted it. I still can’t believe it.”
Emily beams. “Well, that’s wonderful news, Daisy. I’m so happy for you.” A daydreamy look comes over her as she says, “You know, when me and Axel got together, it took a little while for my dad to come around. They’re best friends, you know?”
I raise my eyebrows, surprised. “I had no idea.”
She nods, smiling. “It was pretty scary falling for my dad’s best friend. Especially with the age gap and everything. But Dad accepted us eventually, and now he loves our little family.”
“I never knew that,” I tell her. “That’s so sweet. I’m glad he came around.”
She winks at me. “Forbidden fruit, right? They say it always tastes the sweetest.”
I giggle. “You can say that again.”
Emily considers me for a moment, her face turning serious. “Listen, Daisy, I’m really sorry about what Jake said. It never should have happened on my watch. I feel awful for hiring him.”
“Don’t apologize for his actions,” I tell her. “He’s only got himself to blame for being an asshole.”
Emily sighs. “There are assholes like Jake all over the place, unfortunately. People who just love to tear us curvy girls down. But just because they exist doesn’t mean we have to listen to them or give them power over the way we see ourselves. Our curves are beautiful, Daisy, and don’t you forget it.”
I press my lips together, nodding. “I’m trying not to. I just wish I had your confidence. Some days I feel great, but other days self-love is such a struggle.”
“Oh, honey, we all have those days.” Emily smiles at me. “On days like that, I don’t get hung up about whether my body is hot or sexy. Believe me, those months after my first baby was born, the last thing I felt was sexy. Sometimes it’s enough to just love your body for what it does for you. The way it supports you, carries you, lets you do the things you want to do. My body lets me play with my kids and cuddle my husband and eat red velvet cake.” She chuckles. “That’s so much more important than whether I look hot today.”
I smile, nodding at her words. “You’re right, Em. And for the record, you look hot every day.”
She laughs. “So do you, Daisy. You’re beautiful, and I’m so glad you’ve got somebody who appreciates that. He was only in here for a couple of minutes, but that was enough for anybody to see that Linc is nuts about you. He looks at you like my Axel looks at me. And that’s special.”
My chest warms at her words. “Thanks, Emily. You’re the best.” I throw my arms around her, hugging her tight. “I just need to tell Lincoln that I’m okay. Then I’ll start working on that Stranger Things birthday cake.”
Emily waves off my suggestion. “Screw that. You’re taking the day off. My treat.”
I pull back to look at her. “Are you sure? I already did a disappearing act on Friday afternoon.”
“I’m sure, sweetie. It’s a slow day today anyway—not many orders. And they don’t need me at the bakery, so I’ve got it all covered.”
I give her another hug, my heart bursting with affection for her. “Thank you so much.”
Emily grins. “Stop thanking me and go get your man!”
I giggle and do as she says, waving at her as I head out of the cake shop, walking straight into Lincoln.
“You sure you’re okay, beautiful?” he asks, reaching for my hand. “I saw that asshole storming out of here.”
I nod, smiling up at him. “Emily fired him. Then he called us bitches and said he was going to tell his mom. It was hilarious.” I loop my arm through Lincoln’s. “I’ve also got the day off.”
His eyes light up. “Seriously?”
