Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
LYLA
I duck out of sight, praying he didn’t see me. When I finally returned to the hotel, I promised myself I would stay in the kitchen and keep busy with the cleanup. Instead, I find myself lurking in the shadows like some stalker…wondering if he’s flirting with other girls like his brother Miles.
Since I turned him down, it’s very likely he will find someone else to take my spot in his room tonight. Guys like him don’t go to bed alone, especially at weddings. My eyes hurt from the number of times I’ve rolled them at the girls, shamelessly throwing themselves at his brother, Miles, all night.
Jake hasn’t once looked at them, though. In fact, he seems almost…sad. I shake the thought away and prepare the plates for the late-night appetizers being served at the small buffet table.
“Lyla, someone is here to see you?” Clara is grinning widely at me as I look up from the stack of dishes. My pulse starts racing, and my mouth suddenly goes dry.
“Who is it?” I squeak out, praying to God that I don’t see grey eyes on the other side of that door. It was hard enough saying no the first time. I don’t know if I have the strength to do it again tonight .
“It’s one of the guests. She said her name was Meaghan. She wants to talk to the person who made the desserts.”
My breath rushes out as relief hits me. I set the plates in my hand down and walk to the door.
“I told you they were good. It’s your first night on the menu, and people are already asking for the chef,” she grins at me.
“Thanks, Clara,” I smile, pushing open the door. A beautiful older woman with long, dark hair breaks out into a grin when she sees me.
“Lyla?”
I nod my head. “Yes.” Her grey eyes are striking and vaguely familiar, though I can’t quite place where I’ve seen them before.
“I’m Meaghan. I just had to meet you and tell you how impressed I was with the desserts. My friend owns Blue Haven Cafe, and the desserts she orders don’t come close to what I tasted earlier. It was probably the best chocolate dessert I’ve ever had. I even ate half of my husband’s when he wasn’t looking,” she laughs. “My friend has been looking for a new pastry chef, and I would love to get your card to pass your information on to her.”
I stare at her, speechless, my mind going blank. “You want me to make desserts for your friend’s cafe?” My mind starts going a million miles a minute. If I get enough weekly orders, I could quit that dreaded bakery job I hate.
“I do,” she smiles. “She’s going to be absolutely thrilled when I tell her about you.”
As much as I want this break, I know it’s impossible right now to branch out on my own. I don’t have a kitchen big enough for orders on a larger scale or a way to even get them to her. It’s not like I can carry them on the bus with me.
“I’m really flattered that you love my desserts, and I appreciate the offer more than you could possibly know, but…”
“She would be happy to get in touch with your friend,” Clara says, interrupting me and swinging the door open, clearly listening in on the conversation.
I stare at her wide-eyed, but she just winks and grins at me.
“Perfect! Oh, she will be so surprised when I tell her!” Meaghan says excitedly. “Here, put your number into my phone. I’m sure she will want to reach out to you next week.” She hands me her phone, and I take it, still unsure what Clara is thinking. She knows my situation with my tiny apartment and having to take the bus everywhere.
I type in my phone number and add my name to her contacts before handing it back to her.
“Thanks, Lyla.” Her smile is so genuine and warm that I find myself smiling back. “I can’t wait to hear what you and Laura come up with! She’ll have people lined up outside her cafe for your desserts.” I blush at her compliment and am taken aback when she pulls me into a hug.
“I have a good feeling about you,” she whispers. “You’re what is missing in Blue Haven.” Her lavender scent surrounds me, and I find myself hugging her back and sinking into that motherly comfort I so badly crave. I can’t help but wonder how different my life would have been if I had a mother like her growing up—someone who made me feel safe and loved. I quickly shake the thought away, knowing it only hurts to remember the past. It can’t be changed, no matter how bad I wish it would have been.
“Well, I better get back out there. There's no telling what my boys are up to by now. Thank God two of them have settled down with amazing women. It’s much easier keeping an eye on two than four,” she laughs. I can tell by the way her eyes light up at the mention of her children just how much she loves them.
“They are lucky to have you,” I find myself saying, unable to stop the words.
“I’m the lucky one, love. My kids are my world, and now I have three beautiful grandchildren to love as well.” She studies me briefly until I look away, avoiding her grey eyes before they search too deep. “There’s something about you, Lyla,” she murmurs. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I feel like we were supposed to meet tonight, and it has nothing to do with desserts.” She shakes her head as if she’s coming out of a trance. “God, you must think I’m nuts. I’m leaving now before I ruin it for my friend, and you run away because of me,” she laughs. “I hope we meet again, Lyla,” she smiles at me before walking away.
“What were you thinking, Clara?” I whip my head to look at her as soon as Meaghan is gone. “You know I can’t take this job.”
“Why?” She looks at me like it’s the easiest decision in the world.
“You know why. For starters, I don’t even have a business to be hired on in the first place. Then I’ll need a kitchen and a way to get the orders to her. Do you want me to keep going because I have a lot more reasons?”
“You can work under my business until you start your own if she can’t pay you in cash. As long as I don’t need my kitchen for an event, you are welcome to use it anytime. As far as transportation, my catering vans are there if you need them.” She holds up a hand when I start to speak. “And before you say how you can’t accept my help, I want to do this for you. You have a talent, and it’s about time other people start to see it. I know you want to have your own bakery one day, and this is one step closer to making it happen. I want to help you with this and won’t take no for an answer.”
I stare at her, not quite believing what I’m hearing. “I’ve only been working for you for six months. Why would you do this for me?”
Clara’s face softens as she takes my hand. “Haven’t you ever had someone help you just because they wanted to? ”
“Not without paying a price.” The words come out so quietly that I’m surprised when she answers.
“There’s no price here, dear. I think it’s time you lean a little on someone else for a change. You don’t have to walk this life alone anymore.” She pats my hand and walks through the door to the kitchen.
Maybe it’s time I learn to trust others again. I guess it won’t hurt to see what Laura says before I make my decision. Getting back to work, I start to feel something weave its way in. Something that I had lost a long time ago…hope.
I put the last catering bin in the truck and shut the door. The reception has been over for the last two hours, and everything is cleaned and packed away. I’m exhausted as I return to the kitchen to grab my things.
“Someone left this for you.” Clara hands me a white envelope with my name on the front as she gets her purse from under the counter.
“Who’s it from?”
“I have no clue. Darren handed it to me to give to you. I didn’t think to ask him. Come on, I’ll give you a ride home. It’s a thirty-minute drive and will cost you a fortune with an Uber.”
“You are too good to me, Clara,” I sigh, taking the big bag of food she packed up for me. “I’m too tired to argue with you tonight, so thank you.”
“You’re welcome, even though arguing would have gotten you nowhere,” she grins and pushes open the door to the outside. I stuff the envelope in my purse and follow her.
I can barely keep my eyes open as she pulls up to my apartment building half an hour later.
“Are you sure it’s safe to walk to your apartment this late at night?” She peers out the window at the run-down building I live in. It’s not the best part of town, but it’s cheap and a place to sleep.
“I’m good. It’s not as bad as it looks. Everyone pretty much keeps to themselves and has never given me any problems.”
“If you say so,” she looks doubtful as I get out of the van and shut the door. “Text me when you get inside and have the door locked.”
“Yes , ma’am ,” I say through the open window. “Thanks again for the ride.”
“Anytime, dear.” She waves, and I watch her pull away before walking to the front door of the older brick building. I take the stairs to the second floor and put my key into the lock, entering my small one-bedroom apartment.
It’s old and needs lots of updates, but after scrubbing it from top to bottom and adding a few touches from second-hand stores, I’ve made it as cozy as possible.
Locking the door behind me, I cross the worn tile to the tiny kitchen. I snuck in dinner earlier on a break, so I put the rest of the leftovers in my small fridge to eat on for the next few days before heading to the bedroom. I shoot a text to Clara real quick, letting her know I’m safe before taking off my shoes and stripping down to my underwear, too tired to shower.
His smell hits me when I undo the knot, letting the fabric hit my knees. Unable to resist, I lift the collar to my face and inhale deeply. The spicy scent fills my lungs. I can tell he doesn’t wear cologne…it’s just…him. Not ready to let it go just yet, I slide my bra through the arms and keep his shirt on.
I wash my face and brush my teeth before remembering the envelope in my purse. Curious about what it is, I get it from the kitchen before curling up in bed. A single piece of paper falls out with two one-hundred-dollar bills.
What the…?
I quickly read the handwritten note .
Lyla,
I’m sorry I ruined your shirt tonight. This should cover the dry cleaning or the cost of buying a new one. If you ever need a taste tester for your desserts, I’ve left my number. It seems I’ve developed quite a taste for your sweets.
Jake - the guy whose heart you make beat incredibly fast whenever you are near
I stare at the cash and the number in my hand. It triggers something inside me, and I angrily grab my phone and send him a text.
Lyla
Two hundred dollars for a dry cleaning? I don’t need handouts. I’m perfectly capable of paying to have my shirt cleaned.
I hit send before I chicken out. It’s almost two, so he’s probably sleeping, or worse, he’s with someone right now, and I’m interrupting.
I blink, surprised when I see three dots immediately appear.
Jake
Whoa. I never meant to make you feel like it was a handout. I felt like an ass for ruining your shirt and just wanted to apologize again. I threw in some extra to make me feel better, not because I felt like you couldn’t take care of it yourself.
I bite my lip and read his text, feeling some of the anger drift away. It sounds like he’s just being a nice guy, and I completely took it the wrong way.
Sighing, I type out a response.
Lyla
Sorry. I guess that’s a sore spot for me, and I jumped to conclusions. Now I’m the one who feels like an ass.
Jake
Apology accepted.
Lyla
Why are you still up? It’s two o’clock in the morning.
Curiosity gets the best of me as I hit send, ignoring the part of me that says I shouldn’t care.
Jake
Why are you still up?
Lyla
I asked you first.
I stare at the three dots that appear as I wait for a response.
Jake
I met a beautiful girl tonight, and she’s taken over my thoughts. I’m having a hard time falling asleep. And you?
I can’t stop the blush that spreads across my cheeks. He’s alone, and he’s thinking of me. That shouldn’t matter to me, but it does, and I don’t know how to feel about that.
Lyla
I just got home from work.
Jake
Ouc h
I laugh out loud, and it surprises me. It’s been a while since I just let myself have fun. I decide to give him a little bit back, loving how it feels to flirt. It’s something I’ve never experienced before.
Lyla
Someone I met tonight may have intruded on my thoughts once or twice, too.
Jake
Who’s the lucky guy? I bet he’s hot.
Lyla
He likes my desserts, so he’s okay.
I can picture him grinning in his bed, and my stomach does a little flip at the vision I get.
Jake
I think he’s way past just liking them. They are quickly becoming something he doesn’t think he will ever get enough of.
My heart beats painfully in my chest, knowing we are no longer talking about my desserts. I’m slammed back into reality where nothing can come of this, and I need to let him go.
Lyla
I have to work in a couple of hours, so I should get some sleep.
Jake
At the catering job?
I breathe a sigh of relief when he doesn’t question me changing the subject, making it easier on me.
Lyla
No, at my other job.
Jake
Care to tell me where you work at your second job?
Lyla
No
Jake
I didn’t think so.
He does the sad face emoji, and a giggle escapes before I can stop it.
Lyla
Night, Jake
Lyla
And Jake?
Jake
Yeah?
Lyla
Thank you for taking care of the very expensive dry cleaning bill.
Jake
It was the least I could do after I ruined your shirt and all the desserts you had made.
Jake
And Lyla?
Lyla
Yes?
Jake
Sweet dreams
I set down my phone and curl up under the covers. Burying my face in his shirt, I can’t help but feel safe and secure as his scent surrounds me. It’s the same feeling I got when I was in his arms and he kissed me.
I drift off to sleep, and for the first time in years, I go to sleep with a smile on my lips.