Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
AVA
I woke up at three in the morning eager to start my first Saturday at No Name.
The past three evenings were incredible.
The joy that burst in my heart as I kneaded dough for my bunny bread was indescribable.
Working there was better than I imagined.
I didn’t know why I was fearful at first. Silly me.
I washed up, dressed in dark cotton pants and threw on a long-sleeve knit top.
I’d be spending most of my time in the back fulfilling orders for my bunny-shaped sweet bread.
As Bianca had predicted, they were a big hit.
The bakery’s social media page got a surge of followers after I posted images of my adorable bread, which went viral.
It was 3:30 a.m. when I left my house. Cindy, the assistant baker, started at 2:00 a.m. I should be tired, but enthusiasm coursed through me. I couldn’t wait for people to buy my bread and pastries.
As I drove my Honda Civic in toward the bakery, which was in the lovely business area on the west side of the city, my chest constricted. I thought back to a time when I had walked around this area dreaming about my shop. Some shops had moved out for new ones to come in.
Working for No Name was indirectly living my dream.
I got to do what I loved and didn’t have to worry about the other details required to run a business.
This gig wasn’t bad at all. I smiled as I pulled into the on-street parking spot behind Cindy’s car.
We saved the small parking lot for customers.
My life was slowly getting back on track. The passion for my dream was renewed. Hope filled my heart, and I was grateful for the opportunity to work with dedicated coworkers.
I walked into the back room and grinned. “Morning, Cindy!”
In her early forties, she wore a net around her curly brown hair and a red apron with her name embroidered on it. She was married to her high school sweetheart, who worked as a mechanic.
“Good morning to you! Coffee is ready.” She smiled and gestured to the pot.
“Thanks.” I poured myself a cup, twisted my hair into a low bun, pulled a net over my hair, tossed on my apron, and got to work.
Cindy prepared the donuts, muffins, and danishes while I got out the dough I’d prepped last night. Soft holiday music played in the background as we worked. It was nice knowing the city was asleep while you prepared their meals.
Before I knew it, Bianca arrived with Rosie Renken and Donna Russo, signifying it was six in the morning. Bianca was married with twin girls, so I could see why she wanted something different from her stressful corporate job.
“Ready to seize the day?” she asked everyone as she tied her red hair into a ponytail.
“You betcha!” Rosie cheered. She was in her late fifties and with cheeks that matched her name. Her husband worked in HR at Worcester State University.
Donna offered me a one-armed hug. “You’re still here? We didn’t scare you away?”
I laughed. “Not yet.”
Donna had three grandchildren, but you wouldn’t know looking at her flawless skin. In her sixties, she worked part time as well and lived two blocks away.
When the shop opened at 7:30 a.m., time flew by. We kept restocking everything. When 10:00 a.m. arrived, my stomach growled. I grabbed a turkey sandwich Bianca made and sat in the lunchroom to eat. Suddenly, tingles skipped down my spine, making my body fully aware someone was nearby.
His deep voice sounded, and the muscles in my stomach contorted as though it were making pretzels.
“Morning, everyone!” Austin said.
What was he doing here? I grabbed my bottle of water and sipped. Was he a VIP customer coming to pick up an order? Or was he stalking me?
“Hi, boss!” Bianca exclaimed. “You’re early.”
Boss? Austin owned No Name Bakery? My heart thundered as I tried to find a place to hide.
Don’t be ridiculous.
Why would he own a bakery? How had I not known about this?
This was so awkward, especially after our text messages after the theft incident. Though I couldn’t be friends with my exes, I could be friendly. I had to be if I wanted to keep this job. I needed the money for my mom’s bracelet.
I inhaled and exhaled, trying my best to calm myself. Of all the surprises I’d encountered recently, this had to take the prize.
“I heard the bunny bread is selling like hotcakes,” he said. “Where’s the baker?”
Ugh.
“She’s in the lunchroom,” Bianca said as Donna called her for assistance.
“Go take care of the customer. I know where the lunchroom is.”
Footsteps approached, and nerves churned even more. I glanced at the storage closet. How long could I hide in there before Bianca started looking for me? I cursed myself for the pathetic idea. Why should I be afraid of him? I had nothing to be ashamed of.
He made you feel unworthy.
The admission stopped my breath. I was a confident woman, so I shouldn’t let a man determine my worth.
His breakup had shattered my heart and belief in myself.
The unexpected blow hurt me to the core.
I thought we had something special—something solid and unshakeable.
But he left me for a woman with status and influence.
I rose, getting ready to leave when he stepped into the room, wearing a three-quarter length wool coat and dark pants. His presence took the air out of the room. Or maybe it was me not being able to breathe properly.
“Hi.” Austin smiled, the blue in his eyes sparkled. Nothing had changed on his handsome face, except the lines between his eyebrows had deepened.
“Hello,” I said, trying to be courteous to my boss. “You own this bakery?”
He nodded, studying me. Heat bloomed all over my body.
Stop staring at me.
When he didn’t reply, I asked. “Why? You don’t have enough to do at Tanner Properties?”
“I do.” A smirk crept onto his lips. “But this is a passion project of mine.”
I wanted to ask so many questions, but it wasn’t my business. Apparently, I didn’t know him at all. I dated a stranger for two years. He’d been in love with another woman while he was dating me. He had a passion project I didn’t know about. I’d been so blind and stupid.
He probably saw something in my eyes and said, “Bianca tells me your bread is a big hit. I’m glad you’re here.”
I didn’t know how to reply. My mother taught me courtesy never hurts anyone.
“Thank you.” I walked over toward the trash bin, slipped on something on the floor, and fell backwards.
Austin caught me, but he also slipped. We both toppled onto the kitchen tiles, with him holding on to me, making sure I was on top of him.
“Are you okay?” he asked as his warm breath tickled my ear.
The musky cologne snuck up my nose. I didn’t sneeze. The scent took on a distinct scent when it was on him.
“Yes. You?” I pushed myself up and looked at the wet floor and followed the trail. “Oh no, the sink’s leaking.”
He got up and winced, rubbing his shoulder.
“Are you hurt?” I asked.
“I’ll be okay.” He reached into his coat, pulled out his phone, and called someone I assumed was the plumber.
It would’ve been my shoulder in pain if he hadn’t taken the brunt of it.
I mopped the floor while he spoke on the phone. When his call ended, he took off his coat, got under the sink, and turned off the water.
Getting up, he rolled his right shoulder. “Jack will be here soon.”
“Do you need some painkillers?” I walked up to him. “I’ve got some in my purse.”
Energy thrummed between us. I didn’t realize I stood so close to him. For a moment, time stopped, and the pain and resentment from the past faded into the background. All I saw was the man who encouraged me to go after my dreams. His eyes held mine, and I saw pain and something else in them.
He lifted his hand and brushed it down my cheek, and heat blossomed on contact. The muscles in my inner thighs flexed. I broke the trance and stepped back.
“Sure, I’ll take some painkillers,” he said.
When I dropped them into his palm, he asked, “Can we chat?”
“Why?” I asked.
“Don’t you want to know what happened over a year ago?”
“I know what happened, Austin.” Anger surged. “You dumped me via text.”
His eyebrows pushed together as he opened his mouth to say something, but Bianca interrupted, “Jack is here.” She looked at me. “What happened?”
I pointed to the sink and was grateful for the interruption. When my shift ended, I walked out to my car. Austin stood in front of the shop on his phone. He saw me and waved. I returned the gesture, got into my car, and drove off. In the rearview mirror, I saw him looking in my direction.
Deep down, I wanted to know if our relationship had been a lie. Did he care for me at all?
I loved him. Tears rolled down my face, blurring my vision. I loved a man who didn’t love me. That revelation shattered me. If I hadn’t loved him, it would’ve been easier to move on.
Hear him out.
Perhaps that would help me move on once and for all.