Chapter Eleven
Jessica
I clicked on the side-table lamp in Lainey’s office, picked Ruthie up out of the crib, and got comfortable on the small sofa. After she latched to my breast, I popped my earbuds in and turned on my audiobook, The Simple Path to Wealth.
I’d started listening to financial help books when I’d realized I was going to be raising Ruth by myself. I’d thought I’d have a college degree to help me get where I wanted to go, but that had been derailed.
Temporarily.
In the meantime, I needed to keep trying to educate myself, so when I did have extra money, I’d know what to do with it.
Unfortunately, the words were lost on me as my mind was occupied elsewhere.
Namely the hot guy—whose name I didn’t even know—and his wrecked Henley.
I felt horrible about his shirt, but I felt even worse about the ruined cinnamon rolls. I’d cost the bakery money and that bothered me.
I wanted to do a good job for Lainey. She’d taken a chance on me, and I hadn’t wanted to let her down—especially on my first day.
Yet, that’s exactly what I’d done.
And I’d made a fool of myself in front of Lainey, Jade, and Gorgeous Guy in the process.
I could feel the vibrations of Ruthie’s cooing as she continued breastfeeding, and I looked down at her with a smile.
It was moments like this that I needed to remember to treasure. My sweet girl was happy and content—that’s what mattered.
Maybe I wasn’t a total fuckup.
Then the sound of the smoke alarm going off made both me and Ruthie jump.
~~~~
I came out of the office to the smell of burning bread and Lainey pulling the charred cinnamon rolls out of the oven.
Shit.
“I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed as I moved Ruthie to my shoulder and patted her back.
“Why are you sorry? I’m the one who forgot.”
“I know, but I shouldn’t have put that on you—I was the one who put them in the oven. And now another batch is ruined, which I know costs you money, plus customers who come in for a to-go box won’t have them, and—”
Lainey set the baking pan on the counter and touched my arm. “Take a breath. This is not the end of the world. Things happen—it’s the cost of doing business. And it’s good to run out every now and then; it makes customers want them even more.”
Ruthie’s belly wasn’t full, so she began to cry.
My boss gestured toward her office. “Go finish nursing her, I’ll take care of this.”
The baby’s cries grew louder, so I didn’t argue. When I turned to head back to the office, I saw Mr. Gorgeous standing in the doorway to the front of the bakery.
He smiled when our eyes met, and good grief, it was like I forgot how to breathe.
What the hell is my problem?
****
Alan
I kept my eyes trained on Jessica and her baby as they disappeared into Lainey’s office, then once more found Lainey frowning at me.
I lifted my hands in a questioning manner as I again asked, “What?”
“I don’t think giving you taxi duty is such a good idea, after all.”
“No takebacks.”
“She’s a single mom, Alan.”
“So, you keep reminding me. But you seem to forget, you were a single mom, too, when Adam entered the picture. Did he take advantage of you?”
A small grin crept across her mouth. “No, it was the other way around.”
I threw my hands over my ears, “La la la, I don’t need to know the details.
” When I was sure she’d stopped talking, I pulled my hands down and continued, “The point is, Adam and I were raised right. I’m not going to do anything that makes her uncomfortable.
” I held up my three middle fingers and continued, “Scout’s honor. ”
That I was willing to promise.
She eyed me for a minute before replying, “I trust you.”
“Good.”
“Now get out of my kitchen or you’re being put on dish duty.”
****
Jessica
I heard my phone alert indicating a text from Mama.
Mama: Did you find a ride home?
Lainey had said, “We’d figure it out,” but the only other employee today was her and I’d already cost her enough time and money. I wasn’t going to add taking me home on top of it. There really should be a rideshare service for people who lived in small towns.
We lived just rural enough that walking wasn’t feasible. Especially since I didn’t have a stroller. Lugging Ruthie’s car seat the two and a half miles out of town would be miserable. Not totally undoable, but still, awful.
Me: No, not yet.
Mama: You should probably reach out to Kevin now. It’d be rude to wait until the very last minute and still expect a ride.
Me: Can’t you come get me?
The dots indicating she was texting started and stopped, started and stopped, then started again, until finally...
Mama: We talked about this, Jess. If you want this job, I’m not going to be your transportation home. It’s bad enough I agreed to take you in the mornings. Kevin was generous and offered to pick you up.
Be sure to thank him.
My stomach felt like it was suddenly filled with lead at the idea of him picking me up. Still, I answered,
Me: Of course.