Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
“ I feel like I’ve been called into the principal’s office,” Charlotte joked before sinking into the nearest chair and crossing one leg over the other. “Am I getting detention or something?”
Savannah shoved the book back into its spot on the bookshelf before she joined her sister. With a sigh, she sank into the armchair opposite Amy. “This isn’t how I pictured spending my day off.”
Emily sat down behind her desk and linked her fingers together to hide the tremor. “I know. This shouldn’t take too long. I just wanted us to have some privacy when I told you both.”
Charlotte and Savannah exchanged a quick look.
“It’s nothing bad,” Emily added hastily. “Well, not anymore, anyway. When your father died, I discovered that he had a lot of bad debt. As you both know, he used to invest in a lot of his friends’ businesses, and most of the time, that didn’t go well.”
Emily unlinked her fingers and exhaled. “When I found out, I had to take out a loan and put up the bakery as collateral, but with the economy and everything, I haven’t been able to pay the loan back.”
“Mom, why didn’t you tell us?” Charlotte stood and wrung her fingers together. “How can we help? What can we do?”
“We could talk to the rest of the family,” Savannah added with a frown. “See if they have any ideas.”
Emily glanced between the two of them, something low and warm unfurling in the center of her stomach. “There’s already a plan. Amy has offered to become my partner.”
“Amy, as in Aunt Lily’s stepmom?” Charlotte stopped wringing her fingers together and tilted her head to the side. “That’s very generous of her.”
“It is, and she has no intention of changing anything or intervening,” Emily added, the words pouring out of her in a rush. “I know it’s a big deal, and I should’ve told you both sooner, but I didn’t want to burden you with this.”
Savannah rose to her feet, and her smile was watery. “Mom, it’s not a burden. We love you, and, of course, we want to help you.”
Charlotte sniffed and cleared her throat. “I think it’s a great idea. I like Amy.”
Savannah nodded. “I think so too.”
Emily pushed herself up to her feet, and her pulse quickened as she drew both of her daughters in for a hug. While she had no idea what the future held for her or if going into business with Amy would jeopardize their friendship, she did know one thing.
She felt incredibly blessed to have the kind of life she did.
When the three of them drew back at the same time, they burst into laughter. Charlotte and Savannah each looped an arm through hers, and the three of them spilled out into the hallway amidst a smattering of giggles and snorts. Outside the kitchen, she left her daughters and pushed through the double doors leading into the bakery.
She scanned the restaurant for Amy and froze when the front door jingled, and Jack stepped in, wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, his hair tousled to the side. Her heart skipped a beat when he glanced around expectantly, undoubtedly searching for her. Panicked, Emily crouched behind the counter and waited for her racing heart to calm down. Then, she glanced back up and came face-to-face with Amy, who was blocking the booth where Jack sat.
Amy raised an eyebrow. “Getting some exercise?”
“Hiding from Jack,” Emily replied, still crouching behind the counter. “He asked me out the other day, and I still don’t know what to tell him.”
Amy’s eyes widened. “Em, you have to say yes. He seems like a decent guy, and you do deserve to be happy.”
“But—”
“No buts,” Amy interrupted, pausing to give her a stern look. “You already know life is too short to waste it on regrets or missed chances. You like him, right?”
“More than I should,” Emily whispered, her gaze lingering on Jack over Amy’s shoulder. “But I feel guilty for feeling this way.”
“You shouldn’t,” Amy told her with a lift of her chin. “Even if you’re scared, and even if it doesn’t work out, wouldn’t you rather say that you tried?”
Emily paused and ran her fingers through her hair.
The longer she stood there, turning Amy’s words over and over in her head, the fewer knots she had in her stomach. When her daughters spilled out of the back, giggling amongst themselves, Emily glanced over at them and stopped. She saw so much of herself and Trevor in them, and a jolt raced through her as she thought of Jack and what he could bring to their lives.
In a short amount of time, she’d already grown to care for him, and Amy was right.
She didn’t want to spend her life wondering about the hypotheticals and what-ifs.
Her heart was thudding painfully inside of her chest as she stepped out from behind the counter, pausing to untie the apron. Her hands were shaking as she clasped them behind her back and made a beeline for Jack, who was studying the menu intently. He glanced up when he saw her, and his mouth immediately spread into a smile.
“Hey, I haven’t seen you around in a bit. Everything okay?”
Sweat formed on the back of Emily’s neck, and her tongue felt awkward and heavy. “Yeah, everything’s good. I came over here to ask if you…if we…” She paused and sucked in a harsh breath. “I haven’t been this nervous since high school. Okay, give me a minute.”
Jack gave her a patient but confused smile. “Sure.”
Emily blew out a breath. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out…on a date…with me. I know you asked me out already, but I never gave you an answer. I’m sorry about that, by the way.”
Jack’s smile grew wider. “It’s okay. I figured you needed some time. I’d love to go out on a date with you.”
A cheer rose through the air, and Emily twisted to see Charlotte and Savannah fist-pump the air. Then, they drew Amy in for a hug, and the three women were laughing and hugging as if there was no tomorrow. Emily turned back to Jack with an embarrassed smile.
Jack offered her a brighter smile. “How’s tomorrow at seven sound?”
Emily’s stomach was full of butterflies as she took a step back. “It sounds perfect.”
On his way out, he ran into his father, who made a beeline for the display counter. While there, he spotted Amy, whose face was a bright red as she stepped away from the girls. Emily inched closer to them and pretended to be busy behind the counter.
“I finally decided to try the pastries for myself. No more crumbs off the counter.”
Amy looked up and smiled. “Everyone has a reason to celebrate today.”
William shoved both hands into his pockets. “It’s a good day to celebrate.”
Amy tucked a lock of hair behind her ears. “I was going to tell you this during class, but since you’re here…I’m officially a free woman.”
William’s face broke out into a smile that lit up his whole face. “Oh, Amy. That’s wonderful news. You must be so relieved.”
“I am,” Amy admitted, color creeping up her neck and cheeks. “Even though I have no idea what I’m going to do next.”
“A smart woman such as yourself, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Amy glanced away and cleared her throat. “I hope so. I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you in class?”
William nodded, and his eyes didn’t leave her face. “I’ll see you in class.”
As Emily stepped forward and cleared her throat to make her presence known, William turned to her. She offered him a wide selection of pastries, the smile never leaving her face.
For the first time in weeks, everything in Emily’s life was falling into place, and she was no longer afraid of what the future held because she couldn’t wait to see where it took her.
Or where she and Amy would end up.