Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
S he pressed two fingers to her temples and rubbed in slow, circular motions. Still, the numbers drifted in and out of her field of vision, and the headache in the back of her skull only grew. Spending the past few hours holed up in her office, trying to make the numbers make sense, hadn’t helped.
If anything, she felt worse.
And no amount of pacing, groaning, or muttering to herself was going to change the reality of what she was facing.
The numbers just weren’t adding up.
With a frown, Emily pushed her chair back and stood. She shoved both hands into the pockets of her jeans and leaned against the window. When she pressed her face to the cool glass, Emily suddenly wondered if it was the last time she was going to be standing in her office, scrambling for a way to save the bakery.
In a few weeks’ time, she was going to lose the place she’d worked hard to build, and she had no one to blame but herself. All of those late nights and all of the blood, sweat, and tears she’d poured into the bakery were going to be in vain, and there wasn’t a single thing she could do to stop it.
Unless she was able to find an investor in time.
But who was going to want to invest in her small, locally-run business?
Sighing, Emily pushed herself off the window and turned away from the blue clouds rolling by, the bright afternoon sun, and the steady stream of people coming in and out of the park.
With a frown, she snapped her laptop shut and wished it was just as easy to get rid of her problems.
When she stepped out into the hallway, a few of her employees were already racing past, distinguishable because of their black-and-white uniforms. At the double doors to the kitchen, she paused and peered inside, a half-smile tugging on the edge of her lips. A thin steam enveloped the kitchen, and the smell of strawberries and cinnamon filled the air.
Pots and pans banged together as Emily studied the blue and orange flames of the stove. Then, someone snapped the door shut, and Emily turned away. The bakery was unusually quiet, with only a few people sprawled in various degrees of rest on the booths. The usual jazz music played through the overhead speakers as people walked past the large windows in their casual business suits. Emily was reorganizing the baked treats behind the display counter, her mind racing at a million miles a minute, when the bell above the door rang.
Slowly, she rose to her feet, rehearsed smile in place, and froze.
Jack Johnson lingered in the doorway in a pair of dark jeans, a button-down shirt, and an adorable furrow between his brows. His blue eyes darted around listlessly, and he stopped to take out his phone. After typing something out, he looked back up, and their eyes met from across the room.
Emily felt a familiar jolt course through her.
She blinked and broke their gaze, pretending to busy herself with some of the napkins. Before she knew it, Jack was standing in line, his eyes sliding over to the counter every so often. When it was his turn, he put his phone away and shoved a hand into his pocket.
“I almost forgot that you worked here,” Jack began with a smile. “I pass by every day, and I still can’t believe you and I never officially met until a few days ago.”
“You look like the kind of guy who stays in shape.”
Jack’s expression turned sheepish. “I’ve got a really good metabolism, but don’t tell any of my students that, or I’d never live to hear the end of it.”
Emily leaned against the counter, her lips lifting into the barest hint of a smile. “I’m pretty sure that’s the kind of thing you should brag about.”
Jack shook his head, a lock of hair falling over his right eye. “Not with this group of students. It’s very hard to impress them. I should know. I’ve tried.”
Emily paused. “Well, you could always tell them you own a motorcycle.”
Jack threw his head back and laughed. “That’ll be the day. I did use to own one in college, but I think that’s too long ago to count. It’s actually why I’m here. I’m hoping to win some of them over with the power of sugar.”
Emily’s stomach filled with butterflies when he smiled at her again.
Together, they both took a step to the side, and she draped an arm over her stomach while he studied the pastries behind the glass display. Meanwhile, Emily tried everything within her power not to stare at him. But when he crouched and shifted closer to the glass, Emily found it almost impossible to resist.
There was something disarming and vulnerable about the high school English teacher—something she hadn’t expected.
It made her incredibly nervous, like she was a teenager in high school all over again. Jack gave her butterflies and made her want to fluff her hair up in a mirror. He also made her smile and sigh to herself.
What was the matter with her that she couldn’t be flattered when a handsome man paid attention to her?
Why couldn’t she stop feeling guilty that she liked it?
Yet, the longer she stood there, waiting for Jack to make up his mind, the worse she felt about the whole thing. It felt like Trevor was watching over her shoulder the whole time and frowning in disapproval.
You’re being ridiculous. Jack is just being nice. Besides, the two of you are in support group together, so the least you can do is be civil to each other.
Neither the dip in her stomach nor the erratic racing of her heart should matter.
Nor would they if Emily had her way.
By the time Jack settled on a varied selection of custard-filled croissants, blueberry muffins, and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, Emily had all but convinced herself it was in her head. Carefully, she used her gloves and tongs to pick up the desserts and organize them in a large box. Jack’s gaze stayed on her the entire time, as if she was the most interesting thing in the world.
Get a grip, Emily. He’s just here to pick up something sweet and leave. You’re reading too much into it because outside of the family and the occasional repairman, you haven’t really spoken to another guy in years.
Jack’s smile lit up his whole face. “Thanks. I really think this will ease the news about their test.”
Emily darted back behind the counter and punched in a few numbers. “Test?”
“The surprise test,” Jack replied with a quick look over his shoulders. “I just hope no one here overheard me.”
The cash register beeped, and the drawer slid open. “I don’t know how I feel about my treats being used to cushion the blow of something so evil. How do you know they’re not going to associate them with tests?”
Jack’s lips twitched. “Even if they do, it won’t be for long. Your baked goods are enough to make anyone reconsider.”
Color crept up Emily’s cheeks as she took the money from his outstretched hand and placed it in the drawer. When she handed him his change, their fingers brushed, and shivers raced up her spine. Hastily, Emily withdrew her hand and lowered her gaze.
“If this backfires, I’m going to deny I was ever involved,” Emily joked breathlessly. “I’ve got a reputation to protect.”
Jack carried the box with both hands and walked backward. “Of course. I expect nothing less than to be thrown under the bus.”
“Do you want me to get the door for you?”
Jack used one hand to hold the box and the other to grope behind his back until his fingers closed around the knob. With one last smile in her direction, he touched two fingers to his brows in a half salute. Then, he was gone, leaving Emily with the same strange feeling in the center of her stomach. Over the next few hours, she did everything within her power to push it away.
Until it was time for everyone’s one-hour lunch break, and Emily crept back into her office. The sight of the piles of paper and folders strewn all over her desk was enough to chase away the last of her good feelings.
Sighing heavily, Emily sat down behind her desk and started moving some things around. As soon as her phone rang, with Lily’s name flashing across the screen, she was all too happy to abandon her attempts at structure.
“Hey.”
“Hey, Ben is at the hardware store in town, so I thought I’d come down with him. You busy?”
Emily placed the phone between her ear and shoulders. “I’m actually on my lunch break. Meet you at Café El Sol?”
“I’ll be there in five,” Lily replied cheerfully.
After hanging up, Emily shoved a few more things together and stood. She draped her sweater over her arm, shoved her phone into her purse, and ran out the back door, pausing to give it a firm tug before she did. Outside, the weather was unusually hot, especially for June, but as she walked, she let the sounds of Falmouth wash over her, making her momentarily forget about the heat on the back of her neck.
Everything from bikes pedaling in the distance to the sound of children laughing felt like home.
Café El Sol was in a quieter part of town, nestled in between a hairdresser and a nail salon. Lily stood on the sidewalk in a pair of blue jeans, a flowery shirt, and a black sweater that was rolled up to her elbows. As soon as she spotted Emily, she ended the call and pulled her in for a hug.
“You look too thin,” Lily commented with a frown. “Everything okay?”
Emily held the door open, and the two of them ducked inside. Since it was emptier than usual, they selected a small table in the back next to the windows. While Lily studied the menu, Emily glanced around the spacious and airy space with its tile floors, salmon-colored walls, and tables set up on either side of the walls, forming a narrow path that led to the cash register.
Lily snapped her menu shut, bringing Emily back to the present with a jolt. “Okay, don’t think I haven’t noticed that you avoided my question.”
Emily sank into her chair and began to rub her fingers together. “I know, I know…I just… I haven’t told anyone this, but the bakery is in trouble.”
Lily’s eyes widened as she leaned against the table. “What happened? I thought business was doing well.”
“It was—it is,” Emily added hastily. “But I had to put the bakery up as collateral to be able to pay off Trevor’s debts.”
Lily blinked. “Trevor’s debts? I don’t understand.”
“He made a series of bad investments,” Emily explained with a quick look around the restaurant. “Mostly to help his friends with start-up businesses. I kept telling him not to invest large sums of money, but he wouldn’t listen.”
Lily’s hand darted across the table as she motioned for her to continue.
“When I found out, I had to put the bakery up as collateral. It was going fine but with the rise of interest rates… I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Lily frowned. “Have you asked for an extension?”
“The bank manager knows Grandma and Grandpa,” Emily said in a soft voice. “He called me himself to tell me that they’re probably going to reject my application. I’ll know for sure in a few weeks, but in the meantime, I don’t have a way to pay back the money.”
Lily took Emily’s hand and held it, her brows knitting together. “What about a mortgage?”
“The bank won’t approve it,” Emily replied with a shake of her head. “I don’t make enough to put the bakery up as collateral and mortgage the house too.”
Lily exhaled. “I’m so sorry, Emily. I wish there was something I could do to help. Does anyone else know?”
Emily shook her head a little too quickly. “No, and I don’t want them to. I don’t want to ruin the image they have of Trevor.”
“Honey, you wouldn’t be ruining anything. You need help, and it’s okay to ask for it.”
“I know. I was thinking of something else, actually.” Emily withdrew her hand and sat on both of hers, straightening her back. “I’m thinking of getting a partner. Someone who’ll own half of the bakery.”
Comprehension dawned on Lily’s face. “You’d want a silent partner then, so things wouldn’t change too much at the bakery.”
Emily nodded.
Lily sat back, and her expression turned thoughtful. “I could reach out to some friends of mine in the city and put out a few feelers if you want.”
Emily’s stomach dipped, and her shoulders sagged. “I’d really appreciate that.”
Lily smiled at her. “Of course. I’ll do whatever I can to help. I do think you should reconsider telling the rest of the family though. I’m sure they—”
“I didn’t know you two were going to be here.” Amy appeared at their table in a pair of wide black pants and a cream-colored tunic. Her sunglasses were perched on top of her head, and her dark hair had been styled and cut into a shoulder-length bob.
“Amy.” Lily rose to her feet and pulled her in for a hug. “You look amazing. Did you do something to your hair?”
Amy’s smile was self-conscious as she touched a hand to it. “You really think so? I haven’t had my hair this short since college.”
“It looks amazing,” Lily repeated, pausing to give her stepmother a once-over. “I was in town, so I thought I’d give Emily a call. I thought you were supposed to be doing that yoga class?”
Amy waved away her comment. “It’s not for me. The instructor is nice, and so are the people there, but I stick out like a sore thumb.”
“That’s the point of trying new experiences,” Emily pointed out with a smile. “They’re supposed to make you feel uncomfortable.”
Lily pulled out a chair for Amy and waited for her to sit down. “What about the cooking class?”
“That one, I might go back to.” Amy glanced between the two of them. “But I honestly don’t know. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Not at all. What about the knitting class you were telling me about on Thursday? That sounded promising.”
Amy grimaced and linked her fingers together. “I’m more likely to stab myself at this point, but I’ll keep trying.”
Lily picked her glass of iced tea up and raised it in the air. “That’s the spirit. Here’s to new experiences.”
Emily reached for her own glass. “And beginnings.”
Amy picked up the glass of water and smiled at the two of them. “And new friends.”