Chapter three #3
Dick teaches science at Carrington Cove High School, so while he may have fancy degrees and a pension, I’d bet he’s more familiar with books and beakers than a set of tools.
“Actually, I’m here because Astrid hired me to do the renovations on the bakery. I’m just taking some measurements and then I’ve got to stop by the hardware store. You have heard of it, right?”
His eyes narrow at me across the counter. I knew he always thought he was better than Dallas and me, but the smarmy tone he’s taking with me just confirms it. “Yes, Penn. I have lived in Carrington Cove my entire life, just like you.”
“Just making sure.” I straighten my spine. “So, what can I do for you?”
“Well, I wanted to bring some baked goods into the school today for the office staff.” He peeks around me, trying to get a look in the back. “Is, uh, Astrid here?”
“She’s busy,” I say just as she barrels through the door.
“Richard?”
He perks up like a fucking puppy as he looks at her. “Hey, Astrid! How’s it going?”
Astrid casts a quick glance at me before standing across from Richard, the case a buffer between them. “It’s going. Busy.” She brushes her hair from her face and pastes a smile on her lips. “How can I help you?”
“I’m here for my usual Friday order. The office staff always go nuts for your muffins and Danishes.”
“Oh, well, I’m happy to hear that!” She grabs a box from behind her, folds it together and then starts grabbing items from the bakery case with tongs.
“How is running the bakery going? I can’t wait to sample that new menu.”
I feel like I’m watching a teenage boy try to get the nerve to ask out the girl he has always had a crush on. It’s oddly unsettling. Now I understand the term second-hand embarrassment.
“How did you know about that?” Astrid asks, eyebrows raised in surprise.
“I ran into your mom at the grocery store earlier this week. She says you’ve been working on it.” Then he leans over the counter, getting closer to her as he says, “Just so you know, I have a weakness for cupcakes.”
A snort escapes my lips, drawing both of their attention. “Sorry,” I say as Astrid narrows her eyes at me.
But really? A weakness for cupcakes? What a fucking twatwaffle.
I mean, I would eat anything Astrid makes, so maybe I have that weakness too. But I’d never say it out loud.
“Well, then you’ll be a happy customer. I’ve been so excited to unveil the new menu, but I might wait until after the renovations are done. Kind of like a grand re-opening, you know?”
Dick nods as I pull out my phone, checking my text messages and trying to make it less obvious that I’m listening to every word of their conversation.
“Makes sense.” Dick clears his throat as he meets Astrid at the register, handing her his card. “So, I know this may seem out of left field, but…I actually came in here this morning with the intention of asking you something.”
Astrid hands him his receipt. “Okay…” she slowly draws out with an uncertain smile.
“I know you’re busy, taking over the bakery and everything. But I’ve wanted to ask you out for a while now, and I figured, there’s no time like the present.”
Astrid drops his card from her hand just as my head pops up so fast I nearly give myself whiplash.
“What?” she asks for clarification, clearly stunned by his admission.
Yeah, me fucking too.
“Yeah, uh.” Dick rubs the back of his neck. “I think you’re great. Beautiful. And it’s been four years, so I figured…” He shrugs. “Maybe you might be ready to start dating again?”
My stomach feels like someone is squeezing it in their palm, and fury crawls up my chest.
Dick is asking Astrid out?
But I think the more important question is, what is she going to say?
“Oh, uh. Well, thank you.” She picks up his card, handing it to him once more before tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, her hands visibly shaking. “I’m sorry,” she laughs. “I guess you just caught me off guard.”
I can feel him wanting to dart his eyes over to me, but I’ve got to hand it to him, he doesn’t.
He keeps his gaze on her. “Look, you don’t have to give me an answer now.
” Reaching for the box of baked goods, he tucks it under his arm and takes a step back.
“Think about it this week and when I come in next Friday, just let me know.”
Astrid licks her lips and then nods. “I—I can do that.”
“Great. Well, I hope you have an amazing rest of your day.” He turns to me again now, nodding his head once. “Penn. Good to see you.”
“Yeah. Pleasure.” I watch him walk out and then the sound of Astrid blowing out a breath pulls my attention back to her. “So, uh…that was interesting.”
Astrid shakes her head and moves right toward the back of the bakery again. “Yeah.”
I follow her, watching her move right back to making cupcakes. “So…”
She flicks her eyes up to me. “So, what?”
I look around the room as if someone else might be wondering the same thing I am. “Uh…are you going to go out with him?”
Astrid shrugs as she starts cracking eggs into the bowl. “I don’t know. Maybe?”
My blood starts to boil in my veins.
I know I have no claim to this woman, but for the past four years I’ve stood by her, helping her in every way she’s needed.
And no, I didn’t do it just to get her in bed. But I figured that one day, if she felt like she was ready to move on, I’d be the one she’d move on with.
You mean you were still holding out hope after she rejected you three years ago?
Oh, poor Penn. You’re a little stupid, aren’t you?
Fuck.
I point to the front of the store and try to reign in my frustration. “Really? Him?”
That causes her to stop and turn to me. “What’s wrong with Richard?”
Nothing. Nothing is wrong with Dick. He’s got a good job, owns his own home, and no one has anything bad to say about him really.
But he’s not me.
He doesn’t see Astrid for how utterly spectacular she is.
“I just think you can do better.”
She scoffs. “Yeah, okay. Tell me where all the men are who want to date the widowed single mom of two kids who works all the time, Penn. Please.”
I stare at her, wondering if she is just that clueless.
Has all the tension between us been in my imagination?
Am I really the only one who has felt anything over the past three years?
I feel like my entire world just shifted in one conversation.
I’ve buried my feelings all this time, intent on letting things be. I was happier having Astrid in my life as a friend then not at all. And in less than ten minutes, this surge of possessiveness has kicked in that I’ve tried to keep buried and I don’t know what to fucking do about it.
Needing space to process what I’m feeling, I shake my head and turn away from her, heading for the door. “You know what? Just forget it.”
“Penn!” she calls after me.
I glance at her over my shoulder.
“You’re coming back to start on the shelves, right?” she asks me timidly, a look of uncertainty in her eyes.
Fuck. That’s right. I can’t just run away from her right now. I have a job to do, one I promised her that I would.
And I always keep my promises.
“Yeah, I’ll be back.”
Her smile is unsure, but she grants me one nonetheless. “Okay. See you later.”
“Yeah, see you later, Astrid.”
Walking out to my truck, my skin feels itchy. My chest feels tight. My mind is at war with all of these thoughts and feelings bubbling up to the surface.
Maybe I can’t have Astrid the way I want.
But I sure as fuck don’t want Dick Cockwell to have her.
Jesus Christ. How did I get myself into this mess?
And more importantly, how the fuck do I get out of it?