FIFTEEN
Madelyn
Blessings come in many forms.
Perfect example. The girl with the adorable baby bump who’s currently talking to Grams at our favorite table by the window.
Hailee Miller.
She walked through the door of our bakery a month ago and we decided to keep her. New in town and in desperate need of a job, she came in to ask if we were hiring. Exceptional timing, since Grams and I had decided to hire a manager and hadn’t yet had a chance to advertise.
Despite her lack of management experience, we hired her on the spot. I swear, the instant Grams told her she had the job I could see the relief wash over her. She may not have the qualifications we were looking for, but she knows her shit. It helps that she’s currently enrolled in college courses, working toward a business degree.
After talking for a while, Grams sent her back into the kitchen and told her to surprise us. Not even an hour later, she presented us with lemon raspberry cupcakes.Moist, fluffy raspberry and lemon cupcakes topped with lemon cream cheese frosting. Lemon slices, lemon zest, and fresh raspberries sat atop the creamy frosting.
They were almost too pretty to eat. Almost. We couldn’t resist.
Absolute foodgasm.
Hailee and I have become close friends in a very short time.
She is one of the sweetest, most genuine people I’ve met in my life. Shy, mostly quiet, and obviously holding something back. Hailee holds the weight of the world on her shoulders, that much is easy to see. She was honest, about her need for this job. But there’s so much more to her story. I’ve gotten bits and pieces since she started here, but there’s more to learn. More for her to share.
My initial impression of her barely touches the surface of who she really is deep down. I adore this girl. We balance each other so well.
Her quiet to my loud.
Her shy to my outspoken.
Her calm to my crazy.
Her order to my chaos.
I’ve found my soulmate, in friendship anyway.
As I’m finishing up with the last few customers of the day, Hailee disappears to the kitchen. She emerges as I’m locking the door, a baking dish, plates, and forks balanced carefully in her hands. Rushing over to help her, we place everything on the table.
Grams’ eyes light up when she sees what’s in the baking dish.
“You spoil this old lady. How did you know tiramisu is my favorite dessert?”
Hailee dishes out a large serving of tiramisu to each of us.
“I had no idea, actually,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve had a really strong craving for it.”
A moan slips past my lips as the mixture of flavors from the creamy dessert burst across my tongue. Divine. Hailee makes magic in the kitchen.
“This is so good, Hailee. You’re gonna make me fat.” I tell her.
She only laughs, taking a bite from her own plate.
It’s Grams’ turn to moan in delight when she tastes it for herself. Her eyes close as she relishes the flavors of mascarpone, espresso, and cocoa.
Hailee waits patiently for the verdict. Like me, she’s always eager for Grams’ approval.
“It’s wonderful, Hailee.” Grams smiles and enjoys another taste. “I’ve always said that tiramisu is the second-best thing in life. Right after sex.”
Hailee and I both cough and sputter, almost choking on our dessert.
I shouldn’t be taken aback by the things that come from her mouth, but sometimes Grams still catches me by surprise. Hailee wasn’t expecting it at all.
We all burst into laughter, so loud that we don’t hear the footsteps coming from the kitchen.
“Looks like I’m missing all the fun.”
Startled by the voice, Hailee and I whip around in our seats and simultaneously send our elbows into the muscled abdomen belonging to the unexpected voice. When I realize it’s only my brother, my laughter returns in full force. Hailee looks horrified, which only makes me laugh harder.
“Damn, that hurt,” Holden says, rubbing his abs.
I snort. “That’s what you get for sneaking up on us. Announce yourself next time.”
Kissing my forehead, he pulls out the chair next to mine and sits down.
“You might have heard me coming if you weren’t laughing your ass off. What’s so funny, anyway?”
“I’ll let Grams answer that question.”
She speaks up, giving him a filtered answer. “I was just telling the girls about my love for tiramisu.”
A mixture of confusion and curiosity cross his face. “Okay...I don’t see what’s so funny about that.”
“That’s because you haven’t heard the rest,” I say.
Grams gives me a playful look of warning, but I ignore it. If I had to hear what she said, so does Holden. I already know his reaction is going to be priceless.
“Grams said that the only thing better than tiramisu is sex,” I say with a smirk.
Hailee doubles over in laughter as Holden springs from his chair, a look of pure horror taking over his face.
“What the hell, Grams?!” He shakes his head, backing away from the table. “Mads, why would you even tell me that?! There are some things I don’t need to know! That’s one of them!”
Grams sits in silence, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Hailee has tears streaming down her face, still laughing her ass off.
I’m fighting laughter, but it’s hard to hold back. I lose it completely when Holden continues.
“I can’t unhear that Madelyn!” He tugs at his hair, like he’s seriously stressed. “As far as I’m concerned, none of you even know what sex is!”
Hailee and I both quiet for a split second, look down at her stomach, look at each other, and lose ourselves in hysterics.
Finally giving up, Holden plops back down in the chair, leaning on the table with his head in his hands.
When we finally calm down, Holden looks exasperated.
It amuses me to no end. In fact, I’m feeling better than I have in too long. I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard. I needed this. Needed them. Needed to get out of my head for a while, to escape the stress, hurt, and heartache from home.
Holden has always been a source of comfort. Now I have Hailee, too.
“I hate you,” he says, shooting me a glare.
Grams reaches over, smacking him on the back of his head.
“Holden Orion Sterling! Don’t say that to your sister.”
Properly chastised, he looks to me and apologizes even though I know he didn’t mean it. Holden could never hate me. He doesn’t have it in him.
With a soft smile, Grams grabs her purse from the chair beside her and stands to leave.
“Time for me to go. Thank you, Hailee, for the delicious dessert.” —she winks, making Holden groan— “I’ll see you ladies tomorrow.”
She walks to the door, turning the lock to pull it open. Looking back, she narrows her gaze at my brother. “Remember Holden, if not for my knowledge of sex, you wouldn’t be here.” And with that, she lets the door close behind her.
My jaw pops open in surprise. Grams totally mic dropped.
Holden drops his head to the table, muttering a string of curses under his breath.
Hailee chuckles, and Holden lifts his head, turning his attention to her.
“Hi, gorgeous.”
She cocks a brow. “Hello, Holden.”
“You should let me take you out,” he says, eyes roaming her body. Her baby bump doesn’t faze him in the least.
“Ha. I don’t think so.” Rolling her eyes, she starts to clear the table, quickly gathering everything and taking it with her to the kitchen.
Once she’s through the door, Holden looks to me. In a whisper, he asks, “What’s her deal? Why does she always shoot me down, or play it off when I ask her out?”
“Seriously? She’s pregnant with another man’s baby, Holden. I don’t know the whole story, but he obviously did her wrong. I think dating, in any way, is the last thing on her mind right now. Besides, you don’t exactly have the best reputation.”
And he doesn’t. He’s only ever had one serious woman in his life. She really messed with his head and he hasn’t been the same since. I don’t believe that he sleeps around as much as people think he does. I’m convinced it’s all just a front, a way to prevent himself from getting hurt again.
And Hailee, well...she’s doing the same. The little she’s told me about her ex, I understand why she would avoid the advances of a guy like Holden. He has a heart of gold. Deep down, even Hailee can see that. She sees how he treats me, and our sisters. Even how sweet and protective he is of our mom and Grams. None of that matters. The hurt Hailee is dealing with is still too raw. She won’t be open to anyone for a long time.
“I wouldn’t hurt her, Mads.”
He wouldn’t hurt her. Not in any sense of the word. He’s not that kinda guy. He’s too protective, too caring. Not like David.
“I know you wouldn’t, but she doesn’t. She’s not ready to trust someone new right now. If you really like her, you’re going to have to give her time.”
“I hear you, sis.”
He wraps me in a warm hug, reminding me that I’m always safe with him.
Hailee returns from the kitchen, hoodie on and her purse in her hand. She tries to hide her smile when she sees me wrapped in Holden’s embrace, but I see it.
“I don’t know about y’all, but I’m ready to get out of here. I can’t wait to get home and put my feet up.”
My good mood vanishes when I think about going home. It’s the last place I want to be.
Something must show in my expression because Holden’s brows furrow and he asks me what’s wrong.
“Nothing. It’s been a long day and I’m ready to get home,” I lie.